Starter problems? Transmission? I have no clue Help!

[bad2bone2212]

I reside in Houston, and recently my 929 has been giving me trouble. Other than the fact that my key switch is messed up, i was able to hot wire and just put a flip switch on there to get it started. This way ive been able to turn my car on right.

Now, my problem is, now my car wont start at all, and ive been running it with the flip switch for about a year now.
When i try to start it, all i hear is a "click click" noise. Now I thought it was my starter that was burnt out, so i tried a quick solution and tried hitting it and it worked, once. Now, my starter doesnt turn over at all, so im like, ok, ill just go get a working starter, and so I did.

Now I got a used starter from a junkyard, tested it and it worked fine. So i started to take out my old starter to replace it with the one i just bought, took it off, put the new one in and tried to crank it. Bam, same "click" noise from the old starter. Now this is giving me the question that maybe it wasnt my starter at all, maybe something bigger? Since the starter is connected to some gear or flywheel, im not sure, on the transmission, and im guessing that the wheel the starter gear connects to is getting stuck for some reason or something, I have no idea, since my transmission has never gave me problems. What can i do to try and solve this? since my cars engine is still running strong, i have a half tank of gas and a sound system installed, and i hate that i cant drive it(keeping in mind that im only 19 and its my only car, getting through college and working)

Any advice would help, as i changed out the starter and its doing the same. Last time i drove it, the transmission was fine, engine was fine and they both have never gave me problems.

Engine is 240k+ miles, and still running strong!

[DMiester129]

battery

[ahsfootballguy@yahoo.com]

man i live in austin and i have a 1990 929s and it does the same thing and i went and got a new battery and it didnt help. what year do you have

[ithaj0kai@live.com]

battery, ground cable, starter relay, starter.. Only things that could be wrong.

[sim_rx3]

hi guys,

first thing first.

so far you have ruled out nothing..

things to check and quick test, in order

1. check that the engine earth strap is still connected. without this the starter will struggle

2. get a screw driver and bridge power from the power terminal of the starter to the spade connection with ignition on.

a ) if it clicks still then its a solenoid problem see item *

b ) if starter tunrs over and car starts then the starter is ok and proceed to item 3

3. check the voltage coming into the starter solenoid to the spade terminal. disconnect and get a mate to turn the key as if to start the car. put a volt meter on the wire. the exact same voltage on the battery should be present on this wire when the key is turned to start.

a ) if voltage is down or low or non existent, check for an alarm relay for the starter to see its not stuffed or the alarm is playing up

b ) check voltage at the igntion switch at the terminals terminal ST if it has good power. then there is definetly a relay or harness problem. you need to check down the line to find the fault stoping voltage getting to the starter spade terminal.

b ) if the voltage is fine at the spade terminal. then the solenoid on the starter needs replacing or the starter needs servicing.


getting a second hand starter and having the same issue is no indication that the car has a problem. as the donor starter is the same age and could have exactly the same problems..





* pull the starter out and undo the 2 screws holding the smaller cylinder on (thats the solenoid) and take note how it comes apart.
wipe out the internals with a rag of the internal of solenoid and the metal plunger.
once clean add a slight smear of lithium grease. very sparingly.
then put back together and see if it fixes the issue.
if not then replace solenoid (better yet get the starter serviced).

[NoD]

u could test the starter out of the car, with some starter cables.

[sim_rx3]

no not a true test either.

as the starter under no load will operate as it pulls stuff all current.

to check the solenoid you need full load on it so the contacts are "stretched" to there capacity to see if they are burnt or have less contact area. which effects its operation.

less load. less stress. less amps. so the contacts will work fine in light load. as not as much power is trying to get through.. unless the solenoid is completely fubared.

[bad2bone2212]

I have a 94 model 929.
but yeah, i called my dads mechanic the other day that works for my dad, he has a real job but works on the side for my dad, and he told me about the same thing, exept not in such detail. he said to check the cables connected to my starter, that maybe its bad and it isnt getting enough power to turn the starter over or something.

if something like this WAS to be the problem, what do i replace the cable connecting to the starter?
i appreciate yalls help alot.

[bad2bone2212]

well guys. i was able to address the problem myself. what it was was that i got a bad starter from a junkyard. turns out the old starter was still good since i tested them both and the old one still worked. sooo. what i did was get sum engine degreaser and completely degreased my starter, cleaned it really good and blew the water left over off with an air compressor.

then, for the part that could have easily been the problem, i got sum sandpaper and sanded off all the grease on the contacts on the solenoid and power cables that connect to my starter. installed it back in then BAM! VAPORLOCK.

lol so i opened my gas tank since it hadnt been opened in like 4 months, and here in texas it gets rather hot in the summers, and tried to start it a couple of times. Worked like a charm.

so guys, before u go out and buy a new starter, try and see if this costless solution might help you. u just need a 3 dollar engine degreaser, sum water and maybe a scuffing pad to scuff all the grease away.

hope this helps someone

[bad2bone2212]

well guys. i was able to address the problem myself. what it was was that i got a bad starter from a junkyard. turns out the old starter was still good since i tested them both and the old one still worked. sooo. what i did was get sum engine degreaser and completely degreased my starter, cleaned it really good and blew the water left over off with an air compressor.

then, for the part that could have easily been the problem, i got sum sandpaper and sanded off all the grease on the contacts on the solenoid and power cables that connect to my starter. installed it back in then BAM! VAPORLOCK.

lol so i opened my gas tank since it hadnt been opened in like 4 months, and here in texas it gets rather hot in the summers, and tried to start it a couple of times. Worked like a charm.

so guys, before u go out and buy a new starter, try and see if this costless solution might help you. u just need a 3 dollar engine degreaser, sum water and maybe a scuffing pad to scuff all the grease away.

hope this helps someone