Car is in the profile, most of you know me anyways....
Will a starter gradually go bad, or just one day not work?
Over the past few days, my car has taken a bit longer to crank then normal, and the starter sounds WEAK. I know the battery is good, no electrical problems anywhere, lights work all electronics work. The starter also seems to click for a second of two after the motor turns over. like if you were to hold the key in the start position.
They can gradually go bad, and they can also suddenly stop working.
How did you come to the conclusion the battery is good?
- Your not-so-local, untrained, uncertified, backyard mechanic. But my @!#$ runs
about a month ago, i had some grounding issues. we tested the battery and alternator then, battery was holding 13ish volts with the car turned off, and with the car on, the alternator was charging it and it was holding 13.9ish...
EvoFire wrote: The starter also seems to click for a second of two after the motor turns over. like if you were to hold the key in the start position.
Do you mean that the starter stays engaged for a couple of seconds after starting? If so - that will kill a starter in no time. If it stays on when the engine starts (even for a second or two), the starter will spin way to fast - and can throw the winding's. That were never made to turn at that kind of speed.
If you remove it you should be able to have a local shop test it for a few bucks (or free).
In short yes a starter can go slowly dieing out.Example my 87 trk for about a month sometimes quick cranks and fine,then key on try to start hesitate and then start,last click then retry and start. And yes my batt,alter and cables were all new and tested by me with a meter.So basically the solenoid can choke out or get the starter has dead spots internally and can be a hit and miss scenario.Even bench testing cannot always prove this is a bad solenoid/starter motor on test.IF this part is over 5yrs old and or been replaced in the past with a reman (reman stuff these days suck) and wears out quick.Sounds like you have a dead spot and by bumping the key your simply by passing the bad area and crank up fine.Replace your starter and don't wait till it dies on you!!!!! Some suggest doing a solenoid but that is such a waste of time.Go new reman from napa or your choice of store and be done.The warranty should help if it crokes out sooner as with any store they carry like a one year.
Sounds like the starter is going bad.
I know you tested the battery and such but did you do a load test on it all? Sometimes itll look alright till you load test it.
If that all checks out then replace the starter. Luckily you are manual so you can push start if you have to but it sucks.....ask me how I know lol.
I second Philly D... Load testing is the key... If you know someone with a multimeter that has MIN MAX... hook it up and make sure your voltage doesn't drop below 9V while cranking.. if it does, thats your battery. And your starter is taking a hit the longer you keep cranking with a low battery.
