Well, the time has come for me to finally install the new parts I have sitting behind me in my living room. The solenoid looks really straightforward to replace. The only thing I have to ask about that is that I noticed green corrosion inside the "plugs" the fit on to the smaller front 2 screws. Should I just use a tiny wire brush to get that off or what? As far as the starter, The last one I replaced was in a 1984 Celebrity and that was some time ago. Anything I should look out for? I know i should make sure the battery is fully charged before I go to start it. Thanks ahead of time for the help. :Handshake
I would make sure every thing is good and clean. As far as the starter goes, thats a pretty easy install easy to get to. I would think that it is easier than the one you did before. good luck!! Let us know how you did.
It'll definitely be easier. The celebrity one was killer for some reason. I'll re-post when I'm done with it all.
Use ammonia and a wire "paint" or bore brush to clean the corrosion out then rinse with VERY HOT water and spray it with WD-40. Put a little white grease on the screws before you push the connectors on.
Another question- When I jacked up the car to get a better look at the starter I noticed 2 kind of rods running underneath it. It looks like there's not enough room to get the starter out. What are these rods and what do they do? Can I move them out of the way? Does the starter detach in any other direction?
Yes they are probaly transmittion cooling lines. Usually when you remove the starter you can turn it up and squezes it out. Why are you replacing the starter? What was it doing?
Well, at first it was having trouble staying started from a cold start. I'd have to start it 3 or 4 times before it would stop stalling. Then one day it just wouldn't start at all. i could hear a click or thump from over where the solenoid is. After charging the battery and tightening the battery cables it still wouldn't start so I figured I'd better replace the solenoid and the starter.
I think I would do some checking before replacing the starter. The first thing I would do is clean all connections to the battery and the solenid. Then I would charge the battery and if it starts take it to auto zone and they will check your battery,alternator and starter. It doesn't sound to me,with what you have said, that your starter is bad. I would lean more to a bad battery or unclean connections,possabily(sp.) a bad alternator.
Well, I already did replace the solenoid (Which looked like it had been shot out of a cannon). The plugs that connect to the front of the solenoid are getting a good cleaning tomorrow. I'd love to take it to auto zone, but the closest one is at least an hour away and my inspection is dead. I'll see if the town mechanic can check it for me. He does have some decent equipment down there. I hope it's not the alternator. Thank you very much for the advice!:Handshake
Corrosion can cause all kinds of problems in the starting circuits. Make sure the battery posts are clean and shiny and that the cable clamps are clean and shiny. Use some emery paper or emery cloth to clean the cable ends that bolt on or a wire brush - get them clean and brite. Make sure that there is a big ground cable to the engine and the chassis to ground them. If the solenoid is going "CLICK" and the starter is doing nothing then it can be either the solenoid contacts worn or corroded or a bad starter ground. Bad starter ground could be worn brushes, no engine ground cable, or just sticking brushes. If it have a good ground then it is best to replace the starter with a new one. If you are buying a rebuilt starter then have the starter opened up at the store to inspect the brushes and starter drive. I have seen more "repaired" starters sold as rebuilt than you can imagine. They usually work but if the brushes are almost worn out then you are just going to have to replace it again in six months. Cover your ass!
