94 Q45 Starter Not Cranking

[I_build]

The Starter never showed signs of failing. Went out to the car turned the key and the starter sounded as if the battery was almost dead and then the starter stopped. Tried a jump start, but the starter did not turn at, all I hear is 1 click under the hood for every time I turned the key. Bought a new battery, and what I believe to be the starter relay (blue relay close to the passenger side firewall) but same problem... just a click every time I turn the key. From what I read, the starter very rarely goes bad on the Q, Ive also read that the solenoid is more frequently the problem. Should I try replacing the solenoid, and if so, is it difficult to change, how much do they cost? Please Help. Thanks.

[elwesso]

There have seemingly been more people replacing starters on the Q as of recent...

Most poeple end up replaceing them, they arent that hard to change if I understand correctly, and new ones from Joe are about $120 or less.

[JedCoop]

The solenoid is about $65 from Joe. On mine I found worn brushes and the armature on was wornt too, ended up taking it to a local rebuilder and just got my own starter rebuilt. That goes for about $120 at a good shop. Mine was less becuase they used my new OEM solenoid (but not $65 less).

Look at this thread on how to R&R the starterhttp://forums.nicoclub.com/zerothread?id=120220

As I mention there don't buy a rebuilt but get your own starter rebuilt. A replacement OEM rebuild from Joe is $289.

[I_build]

Thanks... I already had your instructions downloaded and ready to go with the tools... The problem is that it is Sunday, and my Q is in front of a friends house 95 miles away from my home/garage... and to top it off... he loaned me his car and needs it back today. Do you think its worth trying to get a starter from local parts stores to see if they have a starter that looks like the oem picture you provided? or am I just chasing my tail...

If I could just get it home I can get the thing rebuilt like you did... Is there a particular place on the starter to hit it with a hammer (just to get it started once)... Notice you mentioned you knocked yours & it worked... do you really hit it or just tap?

Fyi... Joes starter is showing @ 269.70$

[elwesso]

This is an odl trick we'd use on old chevy motors..... Just take a rubber mallet on the solenod and tap it a few times, to make it not stick.....

[JedCoop]

Do you think its worth trying to get a starter from local parts stores to see if they have a starter that looks like the oem picture you provided?

Fyi... Joes starter is showing @ 269.70$

Smacking the solenoid or starter often does work. Easiest way to do it is with an iron rod or pipe against the starter, and then rap against the pipe from under the car. You are much more accurate and controlled this way. That is how I go my car started after the first failure.

On the way home I stopped by the autolectric place, and without turning my car off, bought the rebuilt starter I pictured. I have no idea how common or uncommon the right starter is. I do know the interchange book that the rebuilders use is incorrect.

You might have much better luck just buying the solenoid, if someone can figure out the part number.

Regarding the OEM price, I had actually ordered a starter from Joe, and the price on my invoice was around $289... Recently I have ordered a couple of parts that the price on the web site was slightly less than the price quoted by Scottsdale once ordered. In all cases I was notified before they shipped the part, as well as got apologies that that the web price did not reflect the May 2005 price increases.

Hope your car made it home today!

[maxnix]

Regarding the OEM price, I had actually ordered a starter from Joe, and the price on my invoice was around $289...

Probably correct with shipping.

[I_build]

Just thought I would give an update. Went back to work on my Q which was left in my friends driveway, and his wife backed her expedition into the left side of my rear bumper backing out of the garage (slight crack and the paint is cracked) Anyhow... stuff happens. The pipe & hammer trick was the charm... Got it started, but the starter sounded like it was on its last legs.

I got a rebuilt starter that matches the oem picture @ autozone for 120$, and took the car to Ice Cold Air to have the starter installed for 37$ (it's there now) so... a rebuilt starter (with a lifetime waranty) with instalation for 157$. Blessed.... except for my back bumper... First Denise blows a shopping cart into my fender (small dent) now this.... Unless my Q's engine drops dead I will be by her side. As far as I am concerned nothing compares.

[elwesso]

Just thought I would give an update. Went back to work on my Q which was left in my friends driveway, and his wife backed her expedition into the left side of my rear bumper backing out of the garage (slight crack and the paint is cracked) Anyhow... stuff happens. The pipe & hammer trick was the charm... Got it started, but the starter sounded like it was on its last legs.

I got a rebuilt starter that matches the oem picture @ autozone for 120$, and took the car to Ice Cold Air to have the starter installed for 37$ (it's there now) so... a rebuilt starter (with a lifetime waranty) with instalation for 157$. Blessed.... except for my back bumper... First Denise blows a shopping cart into my fender (small dent) now this.... Unless my Q's engine drops dead I will be by her side. As far as I am concerned nothing compares.

Good news!!! Congrats, and hope it works out for you..

I had always thought it would be cool to have a flame shoot out from under the car when someone touched it or ran into it hard enough

[DAEDALUS]

Unless my Q's engine drops dead I will be by her side.

You would give up so easily?

[psychic_mechanic]

Just thought I would give an update. Went back to work on my Q which was left in my friends driveway, and his wife backed her expedition into the left side of my rear bumper backing out of the garage (slight crack and the paint is cracked) Anyhow... stuff happens. The pipe & hammer trick was the charm... Got it started, but the starter sounded like it was on its last legs.

I got a rebuilt starter that matches the oem picture @ autozone for 120$, and took the car to Ice Cold Air to have the starter installed for 37$ (it's there now) so... a rebuilt starter (with a lifetime waranty) with instalation for 157$. Blessed.... except for my back bumper... First Denise blows a shopping cart into my fender (small dent) now this.... Unless my Q's engine drops dead I will be by her side. As far as I am concerned nothing compares.

I don't know who quoted you a half hour to do a starter on a Q, but he's cursing you now!

[I_build]

You are right... The guy used ALLDATA DIY to quote the labor, but it gives an estimate on an oem to oem swap (I guess less than 1 hour). The rebuilt starter I purchased did not have the bolt running parallel to the starter so I assumed that it was an equal swap (oem to oem as per the pictures shown in JedCoops thread).

Low and behold, he did have to jack the engine up to get the rebuilt starter in (as in the non-oem swap directions), and it did take more than 1 hour... but.... oh well... i had a written quote.

P.S. That starter cranks quicker than it ever has... Hope this one holds up.

[maxnix]

Too bad you didn't have fresh motor mounts too!