1992 - Starter Problem???

[Zilverado]

Hey Folks,

So I think my starter is pooched... I just get rapid clicking from the solenoid when I turn the key. The battery has plenty of juice and I cleaned the terminals (they were quite corroded).

It first did this this morning, but after a few times, I actually got the starter to spin, and the engine fired up right away. Thinking it might be the battery terminals restricting proper power flow, I cleaned them up nicely tonight and now - - NOTHING!!!!

Is there anything else I should consider, or is the starter gone? And if so, how hard an R&R is this - it looks pretty tight in there?

[Eikon]

I know you said that your battery has plenty of juice... But.. those symptoms sound like your just not getting enough cold cranking amps to get the car started.

Can you take the battery somewhere to get it tested to be sure?

[Zilverado]

Thanks for the tip. I had kinda ruled out the battery because it measured a full 12.6v - even on the bare portion of cables after the clamps. Not to mention the battery is fairly new.

But I took the battery out of my truck (also fairly new) and boosted the Pathy and it fired right up. So I swapped out the batteries and again NOTHING!!! Used the Pathy battery to boost and again fired right up.

So I suspected the battery clamps (which I had wire brushed earlier). Took everything apart and used my dremel with a sanding drum to get inside there and clean it down to bare metal. Then wirebrushed (again) the battery terminals. Put it all back together and WHALLA!!! she fires up.

So, now I can return the $200+ starter and save myself a bunch of work...

Thanks again.

[Eikon]

Nice work! Glad you figured it out and that it was a very cheap fix. Nice work!