Starter Question, High Torque or regular Options

[pin31]

I think my starter died this weekend. Everything was fine last weekend when I went for a nice drive. Alternator charging good, new battery, no shorts or bad grounds etc..

Turn key and get the solionid click. I have checked the battery (12.35V) cleaned ground connection and terminals, cleaned connections on starter, cleaned connection to transmission ground strap...every thing looks good.

Also I have bypassed the '74 seatbelt relay (a while back) so thats no longer in the starter circuit.

Other than the ignition switch (which I am buying a spare to have on hand) is there anything else I've overlooked??

I'm thinking it's the starter and I'm about to buy one. Do you reccomend the rebuilt Bosch or the new high torque ones (lifetime warrenty)? Is there anything I need to be aware of with the high torque unit (i.e. will it bolt right in etc..)?

Thanks,
Tim

[John]

It sounds to me like the teeth on the starter motor are worn.

I think that they should have a sharp leading edge on them to allow them to mesh with the teeth on the flywheel.

If a tooth on the starter hits a tooth on the flywheel, the Bendix can not fully extend and the starter motor won't (isn't supposed to) spin. The sharp edges on the starter teeth get worn when you try to start an already-running car.

I believe that a new/rebuilt starter is in your future. I would replace it with either a 914 unit or a 911 unit (the 911 units are more powerful).

You should be able to pull your starter out pretty quickly. 2 bolts and a couple wires....

When you get the starter off, you can look in the hole and look at the teeth on the flywheel for damage/wear.

Good luck to you.


John