Another starter >? My starter grinds...it clicks..battery good? what's the prob?

[gruvee87vertgt]

Well, it dones't try to turn over....it just grinds lighty. it clicked a coupel times. the battery is good. I saw sparks and light from the engine compartment but that happened once and I was in the car and could not see it..

is my starter bad? where should I start? thanx

 

[Grn92LX]

Try having someone bang the starter with a hammer or something as you crank it. It could have a hot spot and be stuck.

 

[gruvee87vertgt]

Try having someone bang the starter with a hammer or something as you crank it. It could have a hot spot and be stuck.

ok, will try that.

does this mean the starter is going out? thanx

 

[plainwrecknate]

probably so. i had this problem not too long ago on a F350, you could hear it and everything, just not turn over. I just took the starter out of it not trying to find another answer and sure enough it was shot. The cone had been cut away by the flywheel, so we had to replace that and the starter.

 

[Grn92LX]

ok, will try that.

does this mean the starter is going out? thanx

No it doesn't mean your starter is going out. The way is was explained to me is there are brushes inside the starter and if they get too hot they'll kinda weld themself to the starter and prevent it from turning until broken free.

 

[HISSIN50]

Um, more about the sparks and light you saw in the engine compartment. Where did it come from and why?

Make sure your battery and primary power connections are up to the task of properly powering the starter and its load. Otherwise the bendix might be getting jacked around if there is not enough juice to extend it properly.
My two cents.
Good luck.

 

[gruvee87vertgt]

Um, more about the sparks and light you saw in the engine compartment. Where did it come from and why?

Make sure your battery and primary power connections are up to the task of properly powering the starter and its load. Otherwise the bendix might be getting jacked around if there is not enough juice to extend it properly.
My two cents.
Good luck.

yeah, I am very concerned about the sparks....I dont have a cue where are they coming from......it's too fraking cold to be working out side (car parked infront of house) I am going to puch it in to the garage and start working on it later.

 

[BlackGT89]

If you haven't done so already, take your battery cables off and clean them good with one of these http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?categorycode=3298B&mfrcode=LYN&mfrpartnumber=L829M . Reinstall and make sure they are tight. Check all your connections and grounds (if any of these become loose it could produce a spark). You might consider replacing your starter solenoid on the driver's side fender well also (try tapping it lightly first). What is your antifreeze concentration ? (hope to heck your block isn't frozen)

 

[gruvee87vertgt]

If you haven't done so already, take your battery cables off and clean them good with one of these http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?categorycode=3298B&mfrcode=LYN&mfrpartnumber=L829M . Reinstall and make sure they are tight. Check all your connections and grounds (if any of these become loose it could produce a spark). You might consider replacing your starter solenoid on the driver's side fender well also (try tapping it lightly first). What is your antifreeze concentration ? (hope to heck your block isn't frozen)

you know what......I think it might be frozen....I hope to hell it is not..........I only drive it in the summer time and put halp water and half antifreeze in it.

is this a time when I can just throw it in the garage and wait to get warmer then start it without a problem? thanx

 

[BlackGT89]

With a half and half mixture you should be okay (how cold have the overnight temps been ?). Take the radiator cap off and see what it looks like inside.

 

[gruvee87vertgt]

BlackGt89...it can go as low as 10 below with the wind chill. I will take a look later. thanx