 |  | |  | | 99 Cavalier starter or solenoid??? | | CCA Back Bacon
Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: NF St johns Posts: 6
| Tried to start car 2 days ago in the morning.Not a thing! Car was in Park, and also tried to start in Neutral.Lots of power from the battery, dash and lights were bright.Started it later in the day,replaced battery that night.Problem solved. Wrong!
After driving around all day yesterday, I tried to start after work. Same problem as previous day. Started fine this morning. What the hell is going on??????????? Someone told me when it happens again, tap the starter.If it starts, replace the starter. | 
|  | |   | | | | | Supporting Member
Join Date: May 2001 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Posts: 5,364
| When the starter is on the way out you can whack it with a hammer or whatever you have close at hand, true. This was the case with my old Tercel.
__________________
Location: Vancouver, B.C. | 
| | | | | | | | Administrator
Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: BC Posts: 13,727
| On a Cavalier, the solenoid is on the starter. Replace the whole thing.
First though, make sure your wiring is all still good. I once replaced the starter on a Jimmy I had and then discovered it was a rotten battery cable that was the culprit. 
__________________ Paul Niwranski
1966 Cadillac Superior Crown Royale Limousine Hearse 
If you're mirrors ain't shakin...you got taken...
RIP Member #8
Be careful what you wish for... | |
| | | |   | | | | CCA McKenzie
Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 749
| Most likely is the starter, yes.
Do not whack these starters with a hammer, that is "old school" teching. Kinda like pulling the battery cable off your battery while the engine is running to see if the alternator is working, sure, that was good tech in the 80's, but do it to some cars now and you could end up looking for a new ECU. Most starters made since the early 90's are of the "permanent magnet" variety. Hit it with a hammer, and you can break the magnets, making it toast for sure, and with broken mangets, it's an unrebuildable core as well. If it were under warranty, strike marks from a hammer can void the warranty.
Best thing to do is just keep trying... it'll go eventually since the problem is new. Click click click click click vroom! Tap it (do not whack it!) with the plastic end of a screwdriver if you must. Someone must be holding the key in the start position while you're tapping it.
And yes, a bad cable can easily mimick a starter problem. Check them first.
www.allstart.net/batadv.htm
__________________ 
95 Astro Cargo Van
KW KDC-X979
DVD, XBox, Sirius
RF Punch 55.2 - Orion Cobalt 5 1/4's
ALP V12 - KW KFCX698 6x9's
CLAR APX400.4 - KFC-X698
(2)Orion 1200D - (1)Orion H2 12.2 Roger Waters June 23rd Pengrowth Saddledome WooHOO! | |
| | | | | | | | CCA Hoser
Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Prince Albert, Sask. Posts: 77
| All these are great tips, I just thought I'd add one more...
Didn't take too much time to read over your post, but it might be the contacts? | |
| | | | | | | | CCA Golden Toque
Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ajax, Ontario Posts: 1,141
| I had a 97 cavalier z24. I had to replace everything electrical, one at a time, between 3 and 7 years old. alternator 1st, then fan, then starter, then heater blower, then compressor, then alternator again, then window motor, etc., etc., etc.
doesn't mater if its the starter or soleniod, replace the starter. Rebuilt is about 90.00 | |
| | | | | | | | Supporting Member
Join Date: May 2001 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Posts: 5,364
|  Quote: | |
Originally Posted by GrizZz Most likely is the starter, yes.
Do not whack these starters with a hammer, that is "old school" teching. Kinda like pulling the battery cable off your battery while the engine is running to see if the alternator is working, sure, that was good tech in the 80's, but do it to some cars now and you could end up looking for a new ECU. Most starters made since the early 90's are of the "permanent magnet" variety. Hit it with a hammer, and you can break the magnets, making it toast for sure, and with broken mangets, it's an unrebuildable core as well. If it were under warranty, strike marks from a hammer can void the warranty.
Best thing to do is just keep trying... it'll go eventually since the problem is new. Click click click click click vroom! Tap it (do not whack it!) with the plastic end of a screwdriver if you must. Someone must be holding the key in the start position while you're tapping it.
And yes, a bad cable can easily mimick a starter problem. Check them first.
www.allstart.net/batadv.htm | Good advice, all my vehicles have been older than that (except for my Jeep), I did not know about the hammer trick being a bad idea.
__________________
Location: Vancouver, B.C. | |
| | | | |
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | | | | Thread Tools | | | | Display Modes |  Linear Mode |
Posting Rules
| You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off | | |
|  |
 » Recent Threads | | | | | | | | | | | |
