Help With Starter!!!

ok first of all my battery was pretty much dead, so I got a new one thinking it would help. The last battery never showed any lights light up on the console and would not start just make a 'click' sound. Now, the new battery is better, It shows me the little lights lighting up when the key is in the on position, but It still doesn't start. My friend told me I need to hit the starter with a hammer, well I didn't have a hammer at the time and tried using a screwdriver;) , Didn't work!!! What does hitting the starter have to do with anything, and is there a special way I have to hit it??? hard or soft??? Please help me out, I want my car back!!! Thx, in advance.

- Phat_Si

tapping the starter will break the throw-out loose or out of a dead spot sometimes....but if you need to hit it. you need a new starter....

There is a plunger on the starter that meshes the starter with the flywheel of the engine. The plunger is called a solenoid. When you hear a 'click' that means the solenoid isn't meshing the two. Sometimes the solenoid gets stuck, so sharply striking it frees it. I've always used a length of wood (broomhandle, axehandle, ect.) and a ball peen hammer. Don't strike it directly with a hammer. Most of the time when this happens, corrosion forms on the brass contacts within the solenoid and hampers it's ability.

it's most likely your starter so just go out and buy a new one for like $80 and it comes with the starter itself and the solenoid.:D

just get a new one from autozone from autozone or somewhere like that for around 50 bucks with a like $20 core charge. Mine went out a couple months ago, it took me less than an hour to change it myself. Now it works great.:D Its easy to do, just do it yourself and save alot of money.

Originally posted by 90civichbsi
just get a new one from autozone from autozone or somewhere like that for around 50 bucks with a like $20 core charge. Mine went out a couple months ago, it took me less than an hour to change it myself. Now it works great.:D Its easy to do, just do it yourself and save alot of money.

yeah....plus you can get the lifetime warranty on it...and replace it whenever you damn well please...thats what i do with my brake pads...just pull em off every spring and tell them i want new ones:cool:

Thx guys I hit it and it started up again. Thx for the help. I may get the lifetime warentee when spring comes around!!!

- Phat_Si