95 S10 in 4yrs 12-15 starters

[zjopa]

help me please mechanics have not found the problem

[jackass#1]

starter motors or the solinoids?

[blazee]

We need a lot more info.

[OverBoardProject]

When you buy a rebuilt starter your buying a starter with new bearings, and a new set of brushes.
The rest of the parts are basicly OLD CRAP
And if they're worn out the starter just won't last long.
My Daily driver Mercury Topaz Diesel had the same problem. Some starters worked GREAT for up to a year, and the next one wouldn't even work right out of the box. The 1 in there now has lasted about 1 year and still seems good so I'm thankfull, and hopefull that it will last another year.

If you can buy a new one. Not rebuilt
If not try switching brands. I have a Bosch in my Blazer and it seems to be good.

The biggest factor in a starters life is if it gets oil on it the brushes basicly melt.

Good Luck

[DML52]

Originally Posted by zjopa

help me please mechanics have not found the problem

Check your ground loss.

I 30+ years ago I worked in an engine electrical shop and learned to check for ground loss when these types of problems arose.

The testing process is something I do not remember right now, but can get it.

The issue may be a bad connection in the grounding system, few mechanics find it, but it will burn up starters.

[zjopa]

thank you all for replying....and i'm sorry for not getting back here sooner but i really need your help. The problem is my starters on the S-10 have lasted from 1 year down to only a few weeks. Almost all the time when the starter goes out, there is no warning. There is no clicking, no grinding, no humming. Just a turn of the key that results in no sound whatsoever. The lights work, radio works, wipers work, but the engine will not turn over. I've had the starters replaced under warranty, brand new starters, rebuilt starters and dealer starters. The only difference is that the last one I had replaced, after it lasted only a month, did result in some clicking when I turned the key, but still no engine turnover. I believe it may be an electrical short somewhere, but every mechanic I've taken it to, has told me it's everything from the battery, to the cables, to the starter overheating. Please help, I'm desperate to resolve this problem. One more thing, I this particular S-10 model the starter and solanoid have to be bought and replaced as one unit.

Thanks so much.

John

[OverBoardProject]

If it's like my starter the solonoid is part of the starter, on the side but you can still seperate them.

Are there any oil leaks above the starter?
And has the electric shop dismantaled the starters to examine them.

I seriously think that some cars are just cursed when it comes to starters. Mine lasted 16 years with 1 the origional, and has gone through several since it got replaced.

[tjmetro5]

Is there a heat shield to protect it from the exhaust heat??

[J-Ri]

The next time it goes out, check for power to the "S" terminal (the little wire) with the ign switch in start. Sounds like you may have a bad connection/wire that is fixed when you remove the wire to replace the starter.

[balls_to_the_wall]

Replace the starter, then sell the truck. Problem solved

Later

-Ryan

[zjopa]

i would appreciate your help....thank you

[balls_to_the_wall]

Could the starter be bolted in cockeyed?...I was wondering if it isn't in there straight, that it would promote the extra wear on the parts, and depending on how it gets installed as to how straight it is.

Just wondering

-Ryan

[chcknugget]

I would clean the three starter terminals. The top one is ground, the middle is ignition switch, the bottom is battery. Disconnect your battery when doing this!

I had my starter replaced for $450 when it was probably only a bad connection.

[OverBoardProject]

Ouch!
450 for the starter, I know that they are a pain to install, but that's outragous!

If I remember corectly I paid way less than 200 canadian, and it took me less than an hour to install.

I know what you mean though.
I know someone that did the same thing, and it was his + battery cable.

[chcknugget]

The mechanic charged me $200 for the gear reduction starter, but for some reason he was under the impression that you have to lift the motor to take it out, and that's exactly what he did.

The whole thing was a bust, because he used the same wires with the new starter and they were obviously bad. It was because of this I learned to DIY. I'm still finding little mistakes of his, like coolant hoses and wiring routed improperly- but at least I know he did something I guess.