Turn the ignition key, hear the solenoid "click", but then there's about a 2 second pause, and then the starter motor starts cranking.
The pause ain't right, so I look underneath while someone else turns it over, and I can see sparks flying off from the solenoid, almost like it's shorting out.
1) Do they sell separate solenoids from starters? Or (even if they do) is it best just to replace the entire starter unit? I have no idea how old the starter is...
2) What markings or stampings would tell me if its the original (rebuilt) unit or not, which might make me NOT want to simply swap it for a new or rebuilt?
Have you had any hot start problems in the past? Yes you can just buy a new sol from the parts houses but it may just be a loose connection. If you have hot start issues just replace the whole thing with a mini. You should be able to find a used one for $100 or less. Or buy a new one off ebay for $160 shipped.
Remove the starter, check for a ground or loose wire touching a lead on the solenoid first.
Since you have the starter off, spend $12 and 10 minutes and change the solenoid.
Should cure the problem.
Find the cause before you go looking at changing starters. Not necessary to get a mini starter, a $15 heat shield will suffice or change to a high tension GM spring specifically designed and sucessful at curing heat soak issues.
Si Vis Pacem Parabellum
1967 Starlight black PMD Engineering 400 Auto 1968 Alpine Blue 400 4 speed 1968 Verdoro Green 400 HO 4 speed 2013 1LE 2SS/RS Inferno Orange Camaro.
im with banshee. theres a short somewhere causing this! look for the problem rather than for a solution that wont work. the heat sheild will take care of the heat issue to protect it from the exhaust. a mini starter is a compact high torque unit that is designed for tight spaces. not always needed but if you have not room they r the way to go.
Andy
due to budget cutbacks, the light at the end of the tunnel has been disconnected for non payment.
I just love putting starter motors on.... ah well, gives me new motivation for finalling getting my carb fixed; it has that all-too common problem of going dry after it sits for a couple days... the cranking (for what seems like forever) no doubt led to the solenoid's demise.
Good news Dave. Cheap fix. Best off, like banshee says, try fixing the cheapest(and most likely) part first. I know some of these guys think going to a mini high torque starter isn't neccesary but it was the last resort for me and it was the fix that worked for my setup after everything else failed.
Andy, you'll have to deal with my son on the bucket. It's his. It just here in storage till he's rich and famous.
