Well we got out first decent snow of the season here in Ohio. And today my car failed to start twice in an hour period. I started my car originally then went to the bank and came back. Then about 20 minutes later I came back out to go to BW3's. Turned the key till fuel lines filled and then turned it forward, nothing, not a sound. I let go and tried a few times more, nothing. I remembered how my old truck wouldnt start if it was sitting in park a certain way or with the steering wheel locked. So I rocked the car and moved the wheel, then it started right up.

Got to BW3, picked up wings and got in the car to leave and again, did the same. No start. So I let it sit for 30 seconds, and it started right up.

The battery is new and voltage is fine. Mods are in sig.

Now the only other time I have ever had this problem was after I put in my headers and on real real hot days the car would get hot in traffic and after being parked for about the same time, it would do the same. Car never got over 180 today.

Is my starter going or do I need to thermo-sheild it?

What were your experiences with a dying starter

Thanks.

-Dustin-

 

mine did that a few days ago, my starter is new too. when it happened i opened the hood and looked around, then pulled a couple fuses which werent dead, then i got back in and it started just fine. im not sure why it did that.

when my last starter died it was completely different. first it would click and i would have to turn the key a few times to start it. the number of times i had to try before it would start increased until i changed it. but it would have one single click for each time i turned the key. your situation sounds more like what happened a few days ago though.

 

Yes its very odd, just once in a while it acts up. I dont want to get stuck out somewhere in the bad area of my town with a starter that quit. Thanks for the reply. Anyone else have a starter go bad?

-Dustin-

 

Well it happened, my starter crashed for the last time. Luckily I was out to eat with my family and they waited with me till I got it running an hour later. I gave it a "tap-tap-tapparo" with my maglite and drove it home. Fed up with it causing me difficulties, I am going to Pace Pontiac tomorrow to pick one up and install it, any suggestions?

I'll let you guys know how it works after I get it in.

I know $180 isnt the best price for one, but its close and need to have it in by noon tomorrow.

-Dustin-

 

I went with an LT 4 starter. New in box 174 delivered from gmpartsdirect S&H was 28 came within two days of order.

part number 10455709

good luck

happy holidays

 

when my starter went out the 1st time It was during summer. I turned the
key and the car never started but something kept spinning and in 30 sec
smoke came up from under the hood from the passenger side and i didnt know
what to do or how to stop it but luckily a friend of mine had some plyers and
we disconnected the battery..that sucked...replaced it at a shop with a 3yr warranty one....
.
the second time i was driving and hit a large puddle and my car was stumbling...i got to work and stopped in front of the office in the parking lot and it shut off...turned the car over and would not start and the starter was
clicking...got the batton and smacked underneath the passenger side and
nothing...had 1/2 of my department go out in the rain and help me push it.
replaced starter and they took my opti apart to let it dry at the shop and
paid full price for the starter. I guess i smacked it toooo hard and cracked it in 1/2
.
there is no 3rd time yet and eventhough i dont want to replace it again it
sounds like it is starting to go out. sometimes it sounds like it spins freely so
i stop and then try it again and it turns on
.
well..hopefully this helps but seems like i have different scenarios than you do
.

 

Thanks for the input fella's

I had to drive to Van Devere since Pace had only one LT4 starter which was "defective from the factory" and was being returned to GM. A bad machined flange or something. The terrible service Dal and Van Devere gave me a great price and prompt service. I was out the door with the part in about 3 minutes. Part is in great shape and will go on tomorrow.

I believe the problem lies in the headers heating up the starter and then it cooling to rapidly in the cold weather.

-Dustin-