Car wont start unless i arc the starter first
03-11-2014, 05:53 PM
#1
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Join Date: May 2001
Location: fort worth/burleson Tx
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Car wont start unless i arc the starter first
battery has about 12.8 volts when tested with my multimeter. When i turn the key over it clicks like the battery is dead. If i leave the key to the run position and arc the starter is starts like normal. Most of the time after i do this the car with start via the key for a short while thereafter. Any ideas as to where i should start on this one?
03-11-2014, 08:23 PM
#2
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Kissimmee, Fl, USA
Posts: 1,942
Re: Car wont start unless i arc the starter first
battery has about 12.8 volts when tested with my multimeter. When i turn the key over it clicks like the battery is dead. If i leave the key to the run position and arc the starter is starts like normal. Most of the time after i do this the car with start via the key for a short while thereafter. Any ideas as to where i should start on this one?
03-12-2014, 08:29 AM
#3
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Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 136
Re: Car wont start unless i arc the starter first
Yep i would check the starter solenoid. They can go out over time but also if you have a loose connection from your ignition. Does it arc on and off when you try to start with key? If so you might want to check your connections. If not then probably went out from age.
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03-12-2014, 08:54 AM
#4
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Location: Hell was full so they sent me to NJ
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Re: Car wont start unless i arc the starter first
This may help, courtesy of Shoebox. 94 will be same as 95.
http://shbox.com/1/starter_charging_95.jpg
http://shbox.com/1/starter_charging_95.jpg
03-12-2014, 02:56 PM
#5
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Palatine, IL
Posts: 179
Re: Car wont start unless i arc the starter first
I agree with yanking the starter out. By hearing a "click", that indicates that the plunger on the starter solenoid moved, but the starter isn't turning. Since you indicated that there is power in the battery, and that you arch the starter to get it going would rule out a battery issue. So i believe the starter is getting the signal, but the solenoid isn't commanding the actual starter motor to rotate, hence why you have to do it yourself manually. A bench test at a auto store will confirm this.
03-12-2014, 08:07 PM
#6
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Join Date: May 2012
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 216
Re: Car wont start unless i arc the starter first
Yes, the click you're hearing is the plunger moving the gear back to engage the flywheel, but at the front end of the plunger has a metal disc (copper if I remember correctly), that makes contact between the 12V battery input and the starter motor to spin the gear. They get pretty fouled and pitted from the arcing when contact is made due to the high current.
If you pull the starter and replace the solenoid, don't use a no-name, cheap replacement.
If you pull the starter and replace the solenoid, don't use a no-name, cheap replacement.
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