Topic: New Starter?

[dexetr30]

I think it's time for a new starter. I try turning the engine over and all I get from the starter is a clicking sound. If I try it 1 or 2 more times it clicks and then finally the starter motor turns and starts the engine. I had the charging system, pcm and ecm checked at the dealer not too long ago so I know it has nothing to do with any of that.

[chardrc]

i had mine do that and it ended up being a bad battery. but if you do change it make sure you have one of those inverse torqs sockets before you strip the bolt with a regular socket.

[GzrGlide]

Before you drop a bunch of coin on a starter, check all the grounds! Don't ask me how I know. Also check the battery connections.

If they check out, then check the starter relay inthe PDC, then the battery and finally the starter.
Again, don't ask how I know.   

[dexetr30]

Before you drop a bunch of coin on a starter, check all the grounds! Don't ask me how I know. Also check the battery connections.

If they check out, then check the starter relay in the PDC, then the battery and finally the starter.
Again, don't ask how I know.   

I know the battery is good. It's an Optima Red Top and it's only a few months old. I will check all the grounds and battery connections before I pick up the new starter though. Makes sense. As for the relay... I'm not sure how to go about testing it. Never had to do it. Also, if the relay was bad would I still hear the solenoid kicking in? I wouldn't think I would... would I? 

[bigbrad_4x4]

If the relay was bad, the starter solenoid shouldn't kick in at all.  A relay is just an electromagnent switch.  You'll want to make sure the connections at the battery are good and free of corrosion and other crap, and the same with the connections at the starter and the starter's ground.  If there's any corrosion or the connections are loose, the starter won't recieve as much power.

[dexetr30]

If the relay was bad, the starter solenoid shouldn't kick in at all.  A relay is just an electromagnent switch.  You'll want to make sure the connections at the battery are good and free of corrosion and other crap, and the same with the connections at the starter and the starter's ground.  If there's any corrosion or the connections are loose, the starter won't recieve as much power.

That was my thought also. On days when it doesn't give me any problems it turns over a bit slow. I won't get a chance to look at it until tomorrow. I'll post what I find.

[lanulos89]

spinnning slow is most likly a starter, mine did that before it crapped out.

[Jeffy]

I think it's time for a new starter. I try turning the engine over and all I get from the starter is a clicking sound. If I try it 1 or 2 more times it clicks and then finally the starter motor turns and starts the engine. I had the charging system, pcm and ecm checked at the dealer not too long ago so I know it has nothing to do with any of that.

I didn't real the whole thread but the ticking usually means bad battery or poor connection so that the starter doesn't have enough power to push the bendex out.  The clicking is the bendex.  That's the part that shoves the gear into the flywheel.  I'd go ahead and check the grounds and the terminals at the battery.  You're using the top terminals right?

You should take the starter out and take it to an auto parts store.  Most will test the starter for you for free.

[dexetr30]

I think it's time for a new starter. I try turning the engine over and all I get from the starter is a clicking sound. If I try it 1 or 2 more times it clicks and then finally the starter motor turns and starts the engine. I had the charging system, pcm and ecm checked at the dealer not too long ago so I know it has nothing to do with any of that.

I didn't real the whole thread but the ticking usually means bad battery or poor connection so that the starter doesn't have enough power to push the bendex out.  The clicking is the bendex.  That's the part that shoves the gear into the flywheel.  I'd go ahead and check the grounds and the terminals at the battery.  You're using the top terminals right?

You should take the starter out and take it to an auto parts store.  Most will test the starter for you for free.

Thanks Jeffy. I'm going to take a look at things tomorrow. I turn the key and it clicks. Turn it a few more times and it will turn over but a little slower than usual. It's only an intermittent problem right now.

[lanulos89]

You should take the starter out and take it to an auto parts store.  Most will test the starter for you for free.

yea def goto auto zone, when i had to bust apart my starter to do the oil pan, they told me my starter was dead w/o even hooking it up to the machine even tho it worked better then the rebuilt one they gave me in return lol its funny by just laying it inside the machine and having 5 people look at it and try to figure out where the positive and neg terminal go they finally gave up.

[dexetr30]

I disconnected the ground on the starter today. I unplugged the small harness and I also took the screw out of where the harness connects (circled in red) to the ground side. It was all pretty filthy. I cleaned it up with some electric contact cleaner and then some sand paper. Made it all nice and shiny and then put it all back together. The ground going to the block and body all seem to be in good shape. I'm hoping it works out. It started right up and faster than it has in a while. The problem is intermittent though so I'll give it a few days.


Note: This is not a photo of my starter. I just used it to show what I worked on.

[Jeffy]

I disconnected the ground on the starter today. I unplugged the small harness and I also took the screw out of where the harness connects (circled in red) to the ground side. It was all pretty filthy. I cleaned it up with some electric contact cleaner and then some sand paper. Made it all nice and shiny and then put it all back together. The ground going to the block and body all seem to be in good shape. I'm hoping it works out. It started right up and faster than it has in a while. The problem is intermittent though so I'll give it a few days.


Note: This is not a photo of my starter. I just used it to show what I worked on.

Hmm, bad ground.  You might have fixed it for free...   

[dexetr30]

Could have been. I drove it a few more times tonight. We went to get dinner and it was perfect out and back. Same things goes for when we went to get a DVD. Seems like its turning over stronger now also.

[Rob the plumber]

My Jeeps have all started cranking slow after they get buried in the mud a few times. I don't think that the starters like water and mud.

[dexetr30]

My Jeeps have all started cranking slow after they get buried in the mud a few times. I don't think that the starters like water and mud.

Yup, I think that's what happened here. If it does it again I think I'll tear it down and give it a good clean up. I need to order a set of e-torx though.