3rd starter all with locked solonoids
 

Has anyone had a problem with rebuilt starters from Autozone.

I am now off to pickup up my 4th one since my original died.

The first one I picked up the soloniod was locked up before install, found out on the car as I tapped the cable to check for shorts and had tons of sparks.

Number 2, started just fine but the soloniod would not turn off as it locked into place, and stayed there.

Number 3, I bench tested "all good" installed it and it starts great but stays on after you pull the key for 3 seconds, and then after using a trigger starter to make sure it was the starter not the car. Its soloniod locked.

Man this sucks, but Im getting really fast at changing it. I want to drive my rex as my Nissan D21 isnt as fun driving to work "spirited driving" O-well off for number 4.

The car is a 79 SA, with a 81 motor, using an 82 1/2 to 85 starter "larger drive gear"

I bought one from Kragen, installed it, and it worked fine. A week later it refused to shut off. It was disengaged from the flywheel and running like a madman. I didn't have my tools with me so I ran up 4 flights of stairs to get to my apartment. By the time I got back, the starter was so hot I could smell it cooking. So I disconnected the battery, let it sit overnight, and to my astonishment its been working fine for a month and a half now.

Methinks starters are a fickle lot.

Out of curiosity, you bought them all from the same AutoZone? If so, you might want to go elsewhere next time. You can't do any worse.

I've had similar experience from Checker units. It seems this is one of those cases that the parts from the dealer really are better. At least that's what I've found.

Aftermarket starters are normally junk. Mazda still has rebuilt ones, and they're not all too expensive. I think I paid like $60 for mine, directly from Mazda. Just tell them you work at the local quick lube or something, they'll give you a wholesale discount, and just pay cash. Wear Khaki's and a Pennzoil shirt, act like the manager.

I believe my starter from Advanced lasted two years. I can live with pulling the starter every other year to go exchange it for another one, nothing like a lifetime warranty. I am that kind of person that will whip out a receipt from 10 years ago still all nice and neat and ask for my exchange. Damn thermal paper will start to fade after five years.

What if you're depending on your car to start or you can't get home?

I never thought of it that way. I have always found someone to give me a push when I needed it. That along with the fact I always park at the end of a parking lot away form other cars and more often than not the lot is uneven leaving me what I need for a roll start. The starter I replaced the first time was sluggish and would not always turn the engine over so I just adapted.

sweet number 4 works great!

Good to hear

for those that purchases starters from autozone or kragen, do you recall which brand/part number you purchased? I just bought an FC starter from kragen that was the autolite brand (same as sparkplugs) and for one week now it's been fine.