Help fix my LT1 starter.: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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Dec. 29, 2009 10:44 p.m. Appleseed Dork

Back story. I've been away from the car (95 Caprice cop car) for about 6 months. It hasn't been run at all during that time. It has sat for longer and has stared easily. I had a feeling the battery might need a charge.

I bump the ignition and it slowly starts to turn over, maybe a turn, turn and a half. Then nothing. I'm sure its a dead battery, so I charge it until the next day.

Still nothing. The battery has lots of juice. I've checked terminals and found no corrosion. Headlights and all electrical accessories work. When the key is engaged, there's nothing. All the bad starters I've messed with at least clicked when they went bad. Could the selenoid have died?

I've never had to deal much with chasing down electrons, and what I have, I wasn't good at. Is there an ignition module or relay in between the ignition switch and the starter? I'm in the dark when it comes to this. I'm going to bust out the Helms manuals tonight and see what they say. I'd hate to have this tub towed to a shop, only to have them replace a $4.00 part.

Your help is appreciated.
Dec. 29, 2009 10:49 p.m. jhaas New Reader
well start with bad connections

+pos to the starter, or a bad -ground to the engine.

but could be...
1. dead battery
2. bad connections...check both ends of both cables
3. bad starter, its not a bad solenoid if the starter is engaging.
4. internal engine issue
Dec. 29, 2009 10:59 p.m. Appleseed Dork

So a bad solenoid = no starter at all, correct? Can putting a large load on the starter (cold engine, thickened oil) kill a solenoid? I need to check the engine ground as well.
Dec. 29, 2009 11:15 p.m. Strizzo SuperDork

Check ground straps. I've seen a corroded out ground act like a bad starter before. way it was found was seeing the smoke come off the connection when someone was trying to start it.
Dec. 30, 2009 6:01 a.m. Wally SuperDork

Appleseed wrote:

So a bad solenoid = no starter at all, correct?

Yes

Appleseed wrote: Can putting a large load on the starter (cold engine, thickened oil) kill a solenoid?

More likely it corroded while sitting. It's just a heavy duty switch. On many GM starters if you hit it with a hammer you can free it up. if that works for you, replace the starter or keep a hammer in the trunk.

Appleseed wrote: I need to check the engine ground as well.
it can't hurt. There should be a thick black cable running from the block to the chassis near an engine mount.
Dec. 30, 2009 7:24 a.m. wherethefmi Dork

Wally wrote:

More likely it corroded while sitting. It's just a heavy duty switch. On many GM starters if you hit it with a hammer you can free it up. if that works for you, replace the starter or keep a hammer in the trunk.

heeh my caprice had a hammer in the glovebox for just such an occasion, and my GMC truck, and my pontiac pariessian or whatever after we converted it from diesel.
Dec. 30, 2009 9:45 a.m. iceracer HalfDork

Start with a good battery, then check the cables for corrosion. If the solenoid does not click it may not be getting current from the starter/ignition switch. You can check this by applying a jumper from the pos. battery terminal to the solenoid. The small wire terminal. This will help narrow the problem search.
Dec. 30, 2009 9:50 a.m. tuna55 Reader

I will third the "get a bigger hammer" solution. You laugh and call me a caveman until your rig is stuck in some parking lot and it works for you. Usually it will only work a few times, though. Make your first trip to the parts store if that starts it.
Dec. 30, 2009 9:53 a.m. Wally SuperDork

wherethefmi wrote:

Wally wrote:

More likely it corroded while sitting. It's just a heavy duty switch. On many GM starters if you hit it with a hammer you can free it up. if that works for you, replace the starter or keep a hammer in the trunk.

heeh my caprice had a hammer in the glovebox for just such an occasion, and my GMC truck, and my pontiac pariessian or whatever after we converted it from diesel.

They Chevys had hammers, the Fords had pliers for jumping the solonoid. It sounds dumb but it beats being stuck.
Dec. 30, 2009 12:36 p.m. Appleseed Dork

Thanks for the help guys.

I'm off to freeze me ass off in the driveway.
Dec. 30, 2009 5:56 p.m. Appleseed Dork

Update

Broken, corroded wires between solenoid and body. And I found my lifetime replacement warranty slip from NAPA. Sweet.