Starter Ground

[myke_26]

Hi everyone I have a 2000 Ls, and recently I started having problems with the starter. Like a few months ago my car didnt want to start, so I just figured it was the starter. So I got my uncle to check the starter, but 1st, before he took the starter off he tightened the starter ground and told me to try to start the car, and to my surprize it started. So he didnt change the starter. Friday night it did it again, he tighened the ground on the starter, the car started right up. So I was wondering what would make that keep happening?

[shorod]

Welcome to the forum!

Is he actually just tightening the ground at the starter or is he loosening, wiggling, and re-tightening the ground? If the nut holding the ground cable ring terminal to the solenoid is getting loose in that time, you've got some issue allowing that. If he's loosening, wiggling, and retightening, then the ring terminal or contacts for the terminal may be corroded and the cable should be removed from the starter and all contact points wire brushed.

I suspect what's happening though is that he's manipulating the starter motor enough to re-seat the brushes within the starter motor which is allowing it to work temporarily again, much like tapping a worn starter motor with a screwdriver/hammer/umbrella/broomstick/whatever is available. In this case, the long-term fix will be to replace the starter motor assembly.

One other thing to monitor is the "Security" or "Theft" indicator when the car fails to engage the starter motor. Is it flashing when you turn the key to the "Start" position?

-Rod

[myke_26]

I just went tried and no the security light doesnt come on.

[joegr]

Well, if you tried it five times, I think we can rule that one out. (Just kidding... I have posting problems here too.)
Edit: I guess you fixed it.