starter fried? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**guyryan100** · 03-21-2005, 11:26 AM

Did I destroy my new starter? I was trying to bolt up the flexplate to the torque converter - so I put in the first bolt, disconnected the spark wire, and fired up the starter so I could rotate the engine and get to the next bolt. I heard a strange sound (sounded like a proper starter noise but with a resonating ring sound like a bell), so I double-checked the starter.

It turns out that when I put one bolt in the flexplate I skewed the plate so the starter ring gear on the flexplate was no longer lined up properly with the starter. Now I get zero response from the starter on turning the key. Not a peep. Did I burn up the starter or could a fuse have blown or maybe a very low battery? I tried charging the battery but still get no audible response from the starter. I'm just surprised that it makes no sound or movement at all!

Help!!!

Fred T · 03-21-2005, 02:14 PM

You didn't say what vehicle this is on, but. Do any of the electrical accessories work, such as headlights? I not, check the small wire coming off the positive battery cable. It should go into a fuse or fusible link, which can be replaced. If the accessories do work, sounds like the starter is toast.

**guyryan100** · 03-21-2005, 02:57 PM

I have no accessories installed yet - those are next. But my dash generator light and temp light (I think that's the one - bottom right on the circle) lights up when I turn key to run and then to start. So there's definately SOME power getting to the cab.

**guyryan100** · 03-21-2005, 03:05 PM

Anybody ever bought the starter repair kit for $10 and have any luck? Or replaced the starter solenoid itself (sounds like the solenoid may be my problem - twas a brand new starter until yesterday)

shifty · 03-21-2005, 05:20 PM

Do you hear anything when you turn the key forward? A single click or anything like that?

If the solenoid is not new, it could very well be the problem. I don't know how to test it, though.

**guyryan100** · 03-21-2005, 07:41 PM

new solenoid, zero sound.

**VetteVet** · 03-21-2005, 10:11 PM

I'm curious as to why you skewed the flexplate that much. The torque converter should have just moved forward against it and tightened when you snugged the bolt. If you had left the bolt loose it might have bound it against the block when you turned the engine over. Can you rotate the engine by hand in either direction? The solenoid would still engage unless You have blown a fuse. You can jump the solenoid with a remote starter switch by hooking the leads to the large positive wire on the solenoid and the inside terminal on the solenoid. I think it's where the purple wire goes.
this bypasses the fused circuit and the solenoid should click and the starter may rotate so be careful if you do this.
If you had a test light or a volt ohmeter you cold check to see if you had power at the solenoid and having some one turn the key to start and see if you have 12 volts there. That would tell you if the fuse is bad from the key switch. Before you buy a new solenoid or starter you need to find out if the control circuit is good.
VetteVet

jhwkns · 03-21-2005, 10:19 PM

You should take the starter back to where you bought it, and have it bench tested before you buy any parts. You never know?

Good Luck

**guyryan100** · 03-22-2005, 09:56 AM

Well, I took the starter out, bench tested it, and it worked fine. I put it back in and it works wonderfully. The only thing I can think of it maybe it was bound up in the engaged position (didn't look like but but who knows) and my removing it freed it up. The flexplate was askew only a small amount but it looked like enough to cause trouble.

Now that my starter is working I'm putting the flexplate bolts in and not cranking them down one-by-one. Instead I'm tightening each little by little so that the plate pulls up evenly. Appears to work much better.

krue · 03-22-2005, 10:33 AM

You can also grab the flexplate and turn it by hand, don't need to use the starter anyways.

nathank · 03-23-2005, 04:50 PM

Where is the solonoid located on the 67-72 trucks?

shifty · 03-23-2005, 05:30 PM

My solenoid is right on top of the starter. Here's a pic:

nathank · 03-23-2005, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shifty

My solenoid is right on top of the starter. Here's a pic:

http://shifty.org/pics/68chevy/eng_s...swap%20005.jpg

Ahhh ok, i see... thanks!!

03-21-2005, 11:26 AM	#1
guyryan100 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Cumming, GA Posts: 485	starter fried? Did I destroy my new starter? I was trying to bolt up the flexplate to the torque converter - so I put in the first bolt, disconnected the spark wire, and fired up the starter so I could rotate the engine and get to the next bolt. I heard a strange sound (sounded like a proper starter noise but with a resonating ring sound like a bell), so I double-checked the starter. It turns out that when I put one bolt in the flexplate I skewed the plate so the starter ring gear on the flexplate was no longer lined up properly with the starter. Now I get zero response from the starter on turning the key. Not a peep. Did I burn up the starter or could a fuse have blown or maybe a very low battery? I tried charging the battery but still get no audible response from the starter. I'm just surprised that it makes no sound or movement at all! Help!!!

03-21-2005, 02:14 PM	#2
Fred T Cantankerous Geezer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bel Aire, KS Posts: 6,264	You didn't say what vehicle this is on, but. Do any of the electrical accessories work, such as headlights? I not, check the small wire coming off the positive battery cable. It should go into a fuse or fusible link, which can be replaced. If the accessories do work, sounds like the starter is toast. __________________ Fred There is no such thing as too much cam...just not enough engine.

03-21-2005, 05:20 PM	#5
shifty Questionable Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 13,373	Do you hear anything when you turn the key forward? A single click or anything like that? If the solenoid is not new, it could very well be the problem. I don't know how to test it, though. __________________ If I've got anything up for grabs, it'll be here: 7-hole gauge cluster for a 67-72 p/u FREE (link) I can't check the forum daily. If I don't reply to you within 24 hours, drop me a PM! I'm (hopefully) still alive and will reply faster to a PM.

03-21-2005, 10:11 PM	#7
VetteVet Msgt USAF Ret Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 8,719	I'm curious as to why you skewed the flexplate that much. The torque converter should have just moved forward against it and tightened when you snugged the bolt. If you had left the bolt loose it might have bound it against the block when you turned the engine over. Can you rotate the engine by hand in either direction? The solenoid would still engage unless You have blown a fuse. You can jump the solenoid with a remote starter switch by hooking the leads to the large positive wire on the solenoid and the inside terminal on the solenoid. I think it's where the purple wire goes. this bypasses the fused circuit and the solenoid should click and the starter may rotate so be careful if you do this. If you had a test light or a volt ohmeter you cold check to see if you had power at the solenoid and having some one turn the key to start and see if you have 12 volts there. That would tell you if the fuse is bad from the key switch. Before you buy a new solenoid or starter you need to find out if the control circuit is good. VetteVet __________________ VetteVet metallic green 67 stepside 74 corvette convertible 1965 Harley sportster 1995 Harley wide glide Growing old is hell, but it beats the alternative.

03-21-2005, 10:19 PM	#8
jhwkns Registered Cruiser Join Date: May 2002 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 2,230	You should take the starter back to where you bought it, and have it bench tested before you buy any parts. You never know? Good Luck __________________ I intend to live forever. So far, so good.

03-21-2005, 02:57 PM	#3
guyryan100 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Cumming, GA Posts: 485	I have no accessories installed yet - those are next. But my dash generator light and temp light (I think that's the one - bottom right on the circle) lights up when I turn key to run and then to start. So there's definately SOME power getting to the cab.

03-21-2005, 03:05 PM	#4
guyryan100 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Cumming, GA Posts: 485	Anybody ever bought the starter repair kit for $10 and have any luck? Or replaced the starter solenoid itself (sounds like the solenoid may be my problem - twas a brand new starter until yesterday)

03-21-2005, 07:41 PM	#6
guyryan100 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Cumming, GA Posts: 485	new solenoid, zero sound.

03-22-2005, 09:56 AM	#9
guyryan100 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Cumming, GA Posts: 485	Well, I took the starter out, bench tested it, and it worked fine. I put it back in and it works wonderfully. The only thing I can think of it maybe it was bound up in the engaged position (didn't look like but but who knows) and my removing it freed it up. The flexplate was askew only a small amount but it looked like enough to cause trouble. Now that my starter is working I'm putting the flexplate bolts in and not cranking them down one-by-one. Instead I'm tightening each little by little so that the plate pulls up evenly. Appears to work much better.

03-22-2005, 10:33 AM	#10
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	You can also grab the flexplate and turn it by hand, don't need to use the starter anyways. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

03-23-2005, 04:50 PM	#11
nathank resident geek Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dusty West Texas Posts: 77	Where is the solonoid located on the 67-72 trucks? __________________ 71 C-10 stepper 88 Moostang T-Top w/ lots of goodies

03-23-2005, 05:30 PM	#12
shifty Questionable Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 13,373	My solenoid is right on top of the starter. Here's a pic: __________________ If I've got anything up for grabs, it'll be here: 7-hole gauge cluster for a 67-72 p/u FREE (link) I can't check the forum daily. If I don't reply to you within 24 hours, drop me a PM! I'm (hopefully) still alive and will reply faster to a PM.

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