Starter Help Needed

[Neal_J]

I been driving my 69 very little this year due to an intermitent starting problem.  Sometimes the car starts but often I get nothing but a click (presumably from the starter relay).  Initially, I thought it was electrical and replaced the battery and had the alternator tested.  I have 12.8 volts DC at the battery.  I've replaced the relay. I can't start it by jumping the relay.  I checked and cleaned the leads to the starter and relay. The only think that occassionally enables starting is a few good whacks to the starter with a hammer.

Diagnosis:  bad solenodie. Cure:  replace the starter.

Anyone agree/disagree before I get greasy?

Thanks, Neal

[General_01]

Sounds about right.

My '69 used to do that. I would tap the brakes while turning the key and sometimes it would catch and fire. Not sure what the heck the deal was. I sold the car before I ever got to check it out.

[ACUDANUT]

Does it start in nuetral ?

[Neal_J]

Nope, it neither starts in neutral or park.

Here's how today went:

After a week without driving cool car, go out to garage & attempt to start it.  Won't start.
Bang on starter with hammer.  Still won't start.
Get pissed and walk away.
Come back after later.
Test engine/chassis ground by using jumper cable between block & chassis.  Still won't start.
Go buy starter relay. Come home - I hate ALL Kragen employees.
Pound on starter with hammer. Starts!~  Back car out of garage with smile.
Replace starter relay.  Did no good, now won't start again.  Dammit!
Get jack stands out.  Still won't start.   Keep trying to start.
Say 2-4 miscellaneous Christian, Jewish & Buddist prayers/chants.
Starts!!  Thank you Jesus, Elohim, Budda, Mohammad~
Drive on engine stands, smiling
Immediately attempt to restart.  Won't start.
With key in On position, short relay.  No start.
Remove & inspect wires to starter.  Clean terminal ends with sandpaper.
Starts!!~
Drive around block and celebrate with small burnout.
Park in driveway.
Immediately attempt to restart.  No start!~ WTF!?!?!?!?!??
Start swearing and throwing tools.
Good thing that now-broken screwdriver is/was a Craftsman...
Curse self for not shorting starter at starter terminals.
Quit for awhile.  Plan trip to Sears to replace broken screwdriver.
Bang on starter with hammer.  Won't start.
Lock car & cover it because its staying outside tonight.
Ponder the value of organized religion.

And how was YOUR Sunday?

Thanks for letting me rant...

Neal

[ACUDANUT]

Damn, been there....Done that... Drink more beer.... What about just replacing the starter itself ?  Maybe bad wires/corrosion ?? Linkage problems causing it not wanting to turn over in park or neutral ? You should be at least able to jump the starter relay to get it to turn over.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

The "bang with a BFH" confirms that the starter is NG....replace with a mini-starter & you wont look back

[Neal_J]

Any particular reason to go with the mini vs. the regular boat-anchor starter for a 318?

Neal

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Reliability for one....

Also weight savings.....good for at least a tenth in the 1/4 

[Neal_J]

Important factors, indeed.  But does the mini starter SOUND the same?

Gotta have that cool Mopar gear-reduction starter noise!~

Neal

[Brock Samson]

 yeah go with the mini starter I haven't had a single problem since installing my several years ago, where as before it was one of the most problematic parts of the car. i wrapped mine with a section of thermal insulation to ward off heat sink.
as far as it sounding the same, my MSD 6 and billet MSD distributor give such a strong spark there's no more whine...
  reo linda indeed... 
    just do it. 

[Neal_J]

So, apart from weight savings which are irrelevant to me, the heavier OEM starters are not considered as reliable as the minis?

[Brock Samson]

on the face of it, it would seem the minis are a much better built unit...

[Charger-Bodie]

I'm gonna go against the grain on this one and say that i like my whiny , obese starter......... I too love that sound when it turns over.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Important factors, indeed.  But does the mini starter SOUND the same?

Gotta have that cool Mopar gear-reduction starter noise!~

Neal

No....it actually makes the sound of a car actually starting and not clicking like yours does now....



All kidding aside they sound like a Ram truck starting....or my Daytona

[Neal_J]

No....it actually makes the sound of a car actually starting and not clicking like yours does now....

HARRR-DEEE-EHARRR-HARRR, fella !!

New starter ordered today, heavyweight version.  Gotta have that sound~

Will report once installed.

Neal

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Sweet!  keep us posted 

[Neal_J]

Replaced the starter today.  Removal/reinstall took about an hour and was a snap.  Best of all, it works like a champ!

All is right in Chargerland!!~

Neal

[ACUDANUT]

 Sounds great.

[41husk]

I am having problems starting the 73 with the mini starter it turns over but sounds like it is not engaging, some times it fires sometimes not.  Problem is with headers I have to jack the engine up and pull the header off to change the starter

[Neal_J]

41, that was one of my challenges too:  how can I replace the starter when it won't start so I can't get it up on stands readily.  Tip:  use a BFH.

Neal