Starter has flat spot??
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Eugene, OR
Age: 47
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Starter has flat spot??
A week or so ago my car had its first problem since i bought it. I went out in the morning to start it, put in the key, turned it and nothing. Not even a click. Radio came on, heater came on, everything worked but just wouldn't turn over. Removed the key, stuck it back in, turned it and it started right up without a hitch. It does this very intermitantly. Seems when its cold out, it does this. It only does it in the morning, and not every morning. It never does this during the day or at night, only when its been sitting overnight. Yesterday it took me 4 times of taking the key out and retrying to get it to start. Today, started on the first try. What gives?
A friend told me they had a similar problem on an old camry. Ended up being a flat spot on the starter. Could this be the case? Any ideas? Is my starter toast?
A friend told me they had a similar problem on an old camry. Ended up being a flat spot on the starter. Could this be the case? Any ideas? Is my starter toast?
#2
Advanced
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Ashburn, Virginia
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Have a qualified shop do a voltage drop test on the battery cables before you throw $300 bucks into a new starter. Te way lead-acid batteries work they emit gasses that can damage the cables internally that can not be visably inspected from looking at the coating on the outside. If the shop doesn't undersatnd the test keep calling until you find one that does. A "flat" spot on a battery happens once in a 100,000 compared to battery cables damaged inside. Especailly in cars the age of yours.
#3
Senior Moderator
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Better Neighborhood, Arizona
Posts: 45,641
Received 2,329 Likes
on
1,309 Posts
The starter contacts have copper that wears off because there is a starter hammer than bangs against it. It physically wears out.
Thats what the guy at the starter shop told me.
Thats what the guy at the starter shop told me.
#5
Registered Driver
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Bristol, Rhode Island
Age: 37
Posts: 2,493
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
I've got a similar problem too, my car has never failed to start (minus leaving my headlights on, stupid design) but a lot of times, most often in the morning, it will take longer then normal to start. There's no clicking or anything like that, just it takes an extra 1-2 seconds to start.
#6
Instructor
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Eugene, OR
Age: 47
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Ken1997TL
The starter contacts have copper that wears off because there is a starter hammer than bangs against it. It physically wears out.
Thats what the guy at the starter shop told me.
Thats what the guy at the starter shop told me.
That makes sense. At least that was my first thought. I'll have to check the battery first, then move to the starter. Thanks guys.
Trending Topics
#8
Senior Moderator
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Better Neighborhood, Arizona
Posts: 45,641
Received 2,329 Likes
on
1,309 Posts
Originally Posted by impur
Wow, i just got a quote to replace the starter. $590 installed, he said its $390 just for the starter.
#9
Instructor
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Eugene, OR
Age: 47
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yah, just started looking through the phone book, thanks for the heads up. I found one online for $140 including the $40 core charge. Hmmm maybe i'll just do it myself next weekend or something.
#10
Senior Moderator
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Better Neighborhood, Arizona
Posts: 45,641
Received 2,329 Likes
on
1,309 Posts
Originally Posted by impur
Yah, just started looking through the phone book, thanks for the heads up. I found one online for $140 including the $40 core charge. Hmmm maybe i'll just do it myself next weekend or something.
The BIG cost was getting the thing REMOVED and the replacement back in. If you can do that... more power to ya! I said screw it and had a shop do it for 200.
#11
200 Hundred bucks to replace the starter...WOW.
If I had a friend with a 96-98 3.2TL, I'd replace it for 50 bucks and have it done in about an hour! No joke. Part not included.
If I had a friend with a 96-98 3.2TL, I'd replace it for 50 bucks and have it done in about an hour! No joke. Part not included.
#12
Senior Moderator
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Better Neighborhood, Arizona
Posts: 45,641
Received 2,329 Likes
on
1,309 Posts
Originally Posted by lbbrando
200 Hundred bucks to replace the starter...WOW.
If I had a friend with a 96-98 3.2TL, I'd replace it for 50 bucks and have it done in about an hour! No joke. Part not included.
If I had a friend with a 96-98 3.2TL, I'd replace it for 50 bucks and have it done in about an hour! No joke. Part not included.
#14
Senior Moderator
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Better Neighborhood, Arizona
Posts: 45,641
Received 2,329 Likes
on
1,309 Posts
Originally Posted by lbbrando
I've done a few. I can do it in about and hour.
#16
Instructor
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Eugene, OR
Age: 47
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
All the shops i've called say its a 2-3 hour job.
On a positive note, i found a guy who has done this before. He said he puts it up on the lift and gets the back off the starter (silinoid?) then he can bring it back down and replace the contacts. Contacts will run me $5, $50 for the job. I'm a happy camper!!!
On a positive note, i found a guy who has done this before. He said he puts it up on the lift and gets the back off the starter (silinoid?) then he can bring it back down and replace the contacts. Contacts will run me $5, $50 for the job. I'm a happy camper!!!
#17
Senior Moderator
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Better Neighborhood, Arizona
Posts: 45,641
Received 2,329 Likes
on
1,309 Posts
Originally Posted by impur
All the shops i've called say its a 2-3 hour job.
On a positive note, i found a guy who has done this before. He said he puts it up on the lift and gets the back off the starter (silinoid?) then he can bring it back down and replace the contacts. Contacts will run me $5, $50 for the job. I'm a happy camper!!!
On a positive note, i found a guy who has done this before. He said he puts it up on the lift and gets the back off the starter (silinoid?) then he can bring it back down and replace the contacts. Contacts will run me $5, $50 for the job. I'm a happy camper!!!
#19
Instructor
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Eugene, OR
Age: 47
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mine only does it when its cold in the morning. This morning it didn't do it at all. Very odd. Must have something to do with condensation on the contacts or something, corrosion maybe.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
MrHeeltoe
1G TSX Tires, Wheels, & Suspension
20
02-23-2023 01:54 PM
ITSJESTER
4G TL Audio, Bluetooth, Electronics & Navigation
17
12-06-2018 02:29 AM
MrHeeltoe
2G TSX Tires, Wheels & Suspension
3
09-29-2015 10:43 PM
MrHeeltoe
3G TL Tires, Wheels & Suspension
0
09-28-2015 05:43 PM