Starting problems?

[Christ]

No problem answering questions... that's what we're here for, in some manner.

You can get away with buying the starter from AutoZone... on the plus side, if you do, often, you can get the cheap one w/ the lifetime warranty, which negates having to keep the old starter anyway.

I don't personally advocate people to buy anything from the dealer unless you can't get a better deal elsewhere, simply because of the fact that I've never personally seen a real "quality" difference between generic and dealer parts. Aftermarket is aftermarket, regardless. If you get a lifetime warranty on the cheaper part, it's better to get the cheaper part, even if you have to replace it a few times.

Changing the starter is a straight forward operation, you shouldn't need a mechanic to do it for you, if you have a basic set of hand tools. It's only two bolts, one nut, and a push-on terminal. Shouldn't take you more than an hour, even if you're clueless.

[Tony]

The starter can be tricky though, especially with A/C lines in the way. Top bolt never seems to be a problem, its always the bottom one that can be difficult, just because you can't really see it well and with A/C lines, it takes away some of your room.

But like Christ said, its not really that hard of a job, the starter is up top and most of the bolts are easy to get to. A basic set of hand tools will get the job done, get a swivel and it will make that bottom bolt even easier.

[Christ]

Originally Posted by Tony

The starter can be tricky though, especially with A/C lines in the way. Top bolt never seems to be a problem, its always the bottom one that can be difficult, just because you can't really see it well and with A/C lines, it takes away some of your room.

But like Christ said, its not really that hard of a job, the starter is up top and most of the bolts are easy to get to. A basic set of hand tools will get the job done, get a swivel and it will make that bottom bolt even easier.

Not that you'll probably ever have to change it again, but a simple suggestion that I make if you're into working on your car all the time is to change the bottom bolt out for an allen head bolt (internal hex pattern, rather than external).

This will make life slightly easier since you can then loosen it with a long allen wrench later on again instead of trying to use a universal and a socket, which (if your luck is like mine) will probably flop around like a wet noodle, and be just about as effective the first 50 times.

[Tony]

You could do that, and use the allen wrench after you initially break it loose/tighten it with a universal and socket bit. I would never just use a simple allen wrench, especially just using the long part of it, to torque something down on an engine, you just can't torque it down as much, and I honestly just don't trust just that.

I use an Impact swivel, they're not as floppy as a universal, but they are a little bit bigger and sometimes that gets in the way. Swivels aren't that bad, yes they flop around, just keep a hand loosely on it and it won't flop around as much on you. Once you break it loose, you shouldn't even need the ratchet, just the socket and extension should do it.

[skate1968]

UPDATE: Thanks to all who offered guidance.

First my mechanic, Javier, tested the battery. It was indeed weak.

'9.4 volts' or something, I think.

Then my mechanic determined that the starter's 'connectors weren't touching.' So i went out and got another starter.

When i came back with the starter my mechainc, Javier, pulled everything out of my car. Upon close examination he discovered that they sold me the wrong starter. (I believe they sold me the one for an automatic trans instead of the one for a manual.)

Everything was pulled out of my car. So the junior mechanic drove me in his car to a shop for another starter.

But the shop didn't have the reman which would fit my model. So we opted to have mine remanufactured/refurbished.

It so happens that this was one of two local shops in North Philly that rebuild starters. (and maybe even more shops that i don't know about)

they refurbished mine for 55 dollars. it took them only an hour and a half.

We returned to my mechanic. He dropped in the starter. It now seems to be starting fine.

(I'll keep you posted as to whether it continues to work fine.)

Again, thanks to all.