Starter Relay Failing?

Our LeSabre has developed a starting challenge. This is an intermittant issue. When the key is turned to the "on" position everything comes up/on as it should, but when the key is turned to the "start" position nothing happens at the starter when the key is turned to "start". Also, power goes off at the appropriate locations [blower, lights, etc] when the key is turned to "start". When it first happened this morning, I don't think the relay was clicking though I can't be positive. About 20 minutes later I tried again and I heard the relay clicking as I turned the key to "start" and on about the four turn of the key to "start" it turned over and started just fine.

Do relays die a gradual death? I swopped the starter relay for the air pump relay to see if it makes a difference (best option to still have a drivable car).

Any thoughts, similar experiences.

Sounds like a classic starter solenoid failure. You'll likely be replacing the starter to solve your problem.

Sounds like a classic starter solenoid failure. You'll likely be replacing the starter to solve your problem.

The car has 130,000 miles. I changed a starter on a 1985 Oldsmobile station wagon when I was 16 and I was able to figure it out (quite a long time ago). Is it a fairly easy thing to do on the 2001 LaSabre?

My starter started to fail around 135k. just did it out the blue. It'st pretty easy. I have the instrustions based on my 95 park avenue which should be simalar to the 01' lesabre maybe except the egine mount part. I'll post it when I find the thread.

They are not difficult by any means!

Guess I know what I'm doing this weekend!

Thanks for the insight.

One more question:

Any qualms about rebuilt over new and I see Advance Auto offers a "Lifetime Warranty" where with online options I'm seeing 2 year, 1 year... Advance is a little higher but... Thoughts?

Guess I know what I'm doing this weekend!

Thanks for the insight.

One more question:

Any qualms about rebuilt over new and I see Advance Auto offers a "Lifetime Warranty" where with online options I'm seeing 2 year, 1 year... Advance is a little higher but... Thoughts?


I had a starter fail at about 150,000 miles on my 98. Once or twice it just didn't sound right cranking. Then it wouldn't do anything.

I went to a local AC/Delco authorized rebuilder of starters and alternators. I bought their rebuilt (remanufacturered). I'm thinking it was under $100. When I took back the old unit, the counter guy said the oil from oil pan seeps gets into the solenoid and causes the contacts to fail. He asked if my oil pan was leaking and it wasn't but it does carry drops around on the edges from slow seeps.

Find a local re builder. Many times you will get a superior product for the same or less.

They cost around $80 at NAPA. Oh and here's the link

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=921152