Been having trouble starting my 7 and have been trying to rule out any problem with the starter since it's only 1 1/2 years old. so i figure i'll try to replace the battery cables, but i'm not sure how to do that and electrical stuff creeps me, so i called the garage across the street and the guy tells me the cables don't wear out. (???) that can't be right can it? does anybody know how i can do this myself? without starting a fire or electrocuting myself? she's a '85 GS with less than 80,000 miles on and the starter only has about 7000 miles on it. i just replaced the plugs and distributor cap, filed the gunk off the ignition rotor, but still when i turn the key, it grinds though starts eventually. any thoughts, hints, suggestions would be helpful since the people at the garage aren't. thanks!

 

check batt. and alt at an auto parts store. they do it for you.
make sure those are good then move on.
had similar problem and it was a desd battery.

 

Grinding noise is the starter bendix drive not meshing with the teeth on the flywheel. Make sure your mounting bolts are tight. Inspect the ring gear for damage to the teeth.

 

Try turning the ignition key slower, when going to the start position. Mine will grind sometimes when i turn the key too fast. If you are having to file your contacts in the cap and on the rotor, it may be time to replace them.

 

That's entorely coincidence. The ignition switch is a simple on/off switch, as is the starter solenoid. Turn it fast, slow, doesn't make a difference.

 

In theory, yes it's on/off, and should work that way. In practice, it does exactly what I stated. Some of the problem may be related to the timing of turning the key, because it usually does it if I turn the key quickly a second time. It rarely does it on the first turn of the key.