still having startup problems

[ctellis156]

ok so i guess my tcc that i got fixed didnt affect my startup problem. Heres what ive done, ive had the starter an syloniod tested and they say they are fine with a remote chance it sometimes sticks. I put the starter back in and my car again started right up fine even tho it hadnt for the previous 3 days even when i tried jumping it from the batter to one of the terminals on the sylonoid. Ok well tonight i went to leave and again it didnt start until i jumped it on the sylonoid again, works like a charm again for now. Ok i came home tonight an put it in park turned off turned on no prob. turned off put in neutral turned on no prob, turned off put in reverse turned on but it now did not turn over.. i repeated all three methods an this is the only way not working, can anyone clarify to me what is going wrong here and what is causing my startup problems. This is really urgent too seeing as this is my only means of transportation right now so any quick ideas an thoughts will be greatly appreciated Thanks

[86TATpi]

Well, you could have a bad connection in the ignition system, or the solenoid is sticking and the battery isn't strong enough on it's own to break it loose. I had that problem with my Firebird, it didn't start until I jumped the car and then it would maybe start ok 2 or 3 times. I took the starter off the car had it checked at a parts store. They said it was ok, but I didn't believe them so I put the new one in and the problem hasn't come back.

[ctellis156]

hmm ok, yeah ive taken it in to be checked and they said it was ok but yeah im not 100% positive of that either that it isnt sticking sometimes. Well thanks for your input, maybe ill just end up buying a new one soon, anyone else have any ideas to what it might could be?

[jsgold]

Just a thought, but could your ignition switch be bad? I am pretty sure it is mounted further down your steering column and acivated by a rod running from your key switch. I know on the high-low beam switch, which is also remote mounted, it can get loose over the years and have to be tighened up or replaced. If it is simply not cranking I would look there. Also, as per the other post, all of these starters are rebuilt over and over. Don't know how old yours is, but perhaps somewhere down the line a low cost one was installed? Generally the OEM starters last for years (my 91 has original on it, knock on wood...), but replacement ones can be poor quality. Only other thought would be poor grounding, but don't think that is it.

[ctellis156]

well i believe the starter is still factory simply because it was only like 5yrs old when i got the car and i know ive not changed it and everything else ive replaced so far has been factory installed. Its just wierd cuz itll start up fine for days and then one day just nothing unless i jump it on the sylenoid for a second and then it just cranks up and runs for days usually again. Till a lil while back where it sat for a few days unable to jump until i took the starter off had it tested and put back on then it just ran again. but i dunno im bout dumb when it comes to this stuff

[mfayant]

When you put your starter back in did you put the "shim" back to. I have 89 corsica and replaced the starter, but it also had a shim that had to be added.

[ctellis156]

well im thinking it doesnt have one, i think i recall somewhere on it saying shimless, but i put everything back on that i took off all in the same places. unfourtunatly im outside fighting with this stupid thing again right now, it has been running for the most part lately just a time or two that i had to jump it on the solenoid to get it to turn over, but this morning i had to do it on first start in the morn, and then later this afternoon after about 15 mins of driving and it ran again after i jumped it, but now i went to leave this evening about 2 hrs later and now it wont start again, not even after jumping the solenoid, im very frustrated and havent gotten a definate answer as to whats going on, surely someone out there has had this same prob, im hoping its just the solenoid or the starter itself.

[ctellis156]

well my problems seem to be solved, i took my starter an solenoid off a lil bit ago, took it to oreilys auto, had them test it an it got no spin, so apparently the solenoid was malfunctioning and not letting any power thru to the starter. 82.$ and 20 mins later my car is starting back up just fine and dandy. Thanks for all the suggestions everybody