My 93 Z for the first time ever left me stranded, well sorta. Anyway, I tried to start the car and didn't quite hold the key in the start position long enough. I let it go and the car sounded like there was a vacuum cleaner under the hood for about 5-10 minutes. The engine was off, the key was out. Eventually, the vacuum cleaner noise went away. This happed once before, and once it stopped, I started the car and it was fine. This was like a year ago and hasn't happened since. So I figured it would be fine, and I tried starting the car again. Bad idea. Some smoke started coming out from the right side of the engine(couldn't see where, just through the right side of the hood). It smelled really pungent, like an electrical fire.

Did I burn my starter up?
How much for part?
Labor?

I'm away at college and don't really have the tools or jack or anything I do at home.

Thanks for any input.

 

The solenoid stayed engaged and kept the starter spinning even after the key was shut off more than likely. You may notice the starter now spins slower than before. Labor is minimal as it will take less than 1/2 hour to replace unless you have some unusual exhaust. Starters cost from 100 to 150. Dealers will charge from 50 to 125 per hour. We have some charging 110 per hour in VA. No kidding!!!!! In CA, who knows.

When ever you deal with a shop, insist on a couple of things. Ask what is the diagnostic fee. Ask if the diagnostic fee is reimbursed with the repair. In other words, is it included with the repair. We charge diagnostic if the repair is not done. Otherwise it's included with the repair fee. Not double billed. Ask what is the minimum TIME billed and do they have an hourly labor rate. Make sure that you write on the ticket you sign when you hand over the keys that you will not pay for any parts or labor involved unless you receive the defective parts back. This does not include belt, hoses, gaskets or the like obviously.

No matter how good a mechanic is, there is a time when they are guessing. They may replace a part that does not correct the problem. Then they finally get to the correct part. However, they do not remove the first part that did not fix the problem. The service writer just explains that the first part and the second part was defective and you pay the bill for an unneccesary part and probably the labor to install it. By getting the parts back, in most cases, you can avoid this problem by being able to check the function of the parts. Obviously you can't check everyone. The only parts you may not get back are those involved in a core charge. If you don't have a warranty, there are no parts that have to be returned to the manufacturer for inspection unless they are involved in a recall. In which case, you wouldn't pay for the repair anyway. Don't fall for that one either.

In your case, the problem is simple and the starter will look and certainly smell bad.

 

Thanks for the input. That seems to be the problem.

 

I just talked to a few places. I'm hearing 100 for labor and 150-200 for the starter. Since it(the starter) ran for 5-10 minutes, and there was some smoke a guy at the shop says he might be a bit worried. He thought there could be some melted wires or something if it ran that long and started smoking. Impossible to tell, but does anyone have any input on that aspect?

Thanks

 

Holy Crap.

 

I had the EXACT same problem a couple of nights ago. The started was smoking and everything for a good 5 minutes with the key out and even the PCM unplugged! It smelled pretty bad and it is no definitely a little harder to start...

 

same thing happened to me. i drove to a store in town and went inside. when i came out about 10 minutes later there was about 5 people around my car and there was smoke coming from the engine. i heard no noise but one guy said he heard some whining. i got in the car, and it started up. i took it to a local mechanic, and he scanned it and said the starter was bad. i was like but it starts. when he took it out it reeked bad, did not melt any wires. put a new starter in and off i went. all for $146 pretty good deal. now that was 9 years ago. no problems since.