Pretty sure starter just died... need your thoughts

[AlphaVortex]

So the short story is that I tried to start my car a little bit ago, and it was a no go. It cranked like normal for a few turns, then started cranking slower and slower until it just stopped. Now it wont even try to crank.

I checked that the battery was ok by both trying to jump the car (no effect at all), and having the battery checked (came out good, the battery isn't even 1 year old).

I did smell the faintest smell of fuel, but there were no noticeable leaks (not that you can see very much under the manifold).

Pulled the spark plugs, and there were no signs of fuel or coolant or anything in any of the cylinders. While the plugs were out, I put it in neutral and verified that I can freely turn the crank without any unusual resistance.

I just yesterday finished a 3 week long head gasket replacement and had the head cleaned and rebuilt. The car ran like a CHAMPION earlier tonight and started several times without any drama till just now.

I'm pretty sure the starter motor is dead, but just wanted to pass it by you folks to make sure that nothing else jumps out at you. Are there any sensors or anything that would flat out keep the car from cranking? Any fuses? I will be checking all the fuses and whatnot tomorrow, but I really don't want to tear out the manifold again just to check all my connections (which I don't think is the problem... it slowly died, not suddenly).

Thanks.

[cooljess76]

Doubt it's the starter. When starters go bad, they usually won't do squat. No clicking, no spinning, nothing. Otherwise you'll hear them whine or screech, but not engage. The fact that your motor cranked over tells me that your starter engaged and spun. It only takes a few cranks without starting to drain a battery.

[AlphaVortex]

Errr that's what I was getting at. It doesn't turn or crank at all. Nothing at all happens. Ive had battery issues before and I'm pretty sure that's not it this time.

[cooljess76]

Originally Posted by AlphaVortex

Errr that's what I was getting at. It doesn't turn or crank at all. Nothing at all happens. Ive had battery issues before and I'm pretty sure that's not it this time.

Did you try jump starting it?

[AlphaVortex]

Haha I knew my original post was too long.

Yeah I tried jumping it, no effect. Had the battery tested and it was "good".

[cooljess76]

Originally Posted by AlphaVortex

Haha I knew my original post was too long.

Yeah I tried jumping it, no effect. Had the battery tested and it was "good".

hahaha duh, my bad I skipped right past that, lol. Well, you should be able to push start it even with a bad starter, otherwise you could try to jump the starter or hit it with a wrench a few times.

[AlphaVortex]

Can you push start an auto?

I guess tonight I'll try hammering the dumb thing a few times and see what I get... but at this point I'm pretty convinced its the starter.

Sigh. Spend three weeks redoing the head only to have the starter die... what next?

[mtlblue]

corroded connections? try taking a look and cleaning the grounds. I know my starter needs rebuilding as it spins freely or slips out of contact with the flywheel. I'd check these before ripping it out as that can be a b1tch, what year is it? there are a few posts on getting that thing out.

[mtlblue]

btw , I'd have it rebuilt and it'll only cost under a hundred for sure as it's just the silenoid. how much is new or rebuilt?

[zoner]

Originally Posted by AlphaVortex

Can you push start an auto?

Actually, a lot of older automatics (up until about the mid '60's) that had a 'dual-pump' system could be push started if you built up enough speed (usually at least about 20-25 MPH), but no modern automatics that I'm aware of can be push started.

[AlphaVortex]

Well a new Duralast unit from Autozone is only $120. The cars a restored title, so I think I will just go that route.

[zoner]

While you're in there- replace the plastic water elbow coming out of the block if you haven't already done so or you don't know how old it is. Both jobs are kind of a PITA and require removing the same components to do them, so might as well kill two birds...

[AlphaVortex]

I actually just got done bolting the motor together after doing a head job and replacing all the cooling and vacuum lines. Thanks for the suggestion though!

[familytruckster]

The AZ duralast isn't bad... I put one on my car over the winter. Doesn't seem to have the gear reduction, but it still cranks it over just fine.

[AlphaVortex]

Good to know, thanks man.

Huge storm coming through, so I'm going to have to wait to keep working on this tomorrow. Gotta make sure to check all the ground connections and fuses before I plop down the money for a new starter. I'll try and keep this updated, since I didn't find anything quite like this while searching... so hopefully it can help someone else down the line.