1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

replaced starter and car still dies!!!

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Old Nov 3, 2002 | 06:19 PM
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From: south jersey
replaced starter and car still dies!!!

i still have this weird problem with the car running and when it gets warm something stalls the engine out like if i turned the ignition off,but it gets worse. i then try to crank the car over again and i get this weird sound like a air wrachet going off while the engine is cranking,when this happens the engine will not start. i have replaced the starter figuring the gear was engaging when the car got hot but that's not the problem. at this point i'm bout fed up with this car. i anyone has any idea what the problem can be please share your input. thanks
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Old Nov 3, 2002 | 06:50 PM
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Cold compression is higher than hot. Possibly you have stuck seals. Try the ATF trick.
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Old Nov 3, 2002 | 07:53 PM
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Why did you replace the starter? If it was turnoing the motor it was working... Usually some starters when bad wont crank when they are hot, but if it was cranking hot then you wasted your money...

Do a make shift compression check, and see where you stand. But the problem could be very much fuel related...
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Old Nov 3, 2002 | 08:01 PM
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Fly wheel may be missing teeth. We had a truck like that at work. Get in to start and whoooooshhhh all starter and no engine. We would put it in drive, push it forward a few feet so the engine would rotate a bit and the starter would have some teeth to engage. How the teeth get gone, I don't know.
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Old Nov 3, 2002 | 08:17 PM
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From: south jersey
Originally posted by MIKE-P-28
Why did you replace the starter? If it was turnoing the motor it was working... Usually some starters when bad wont crank when they are hot, but if it was cranking hot then you wasted your money...

Do a make shift compression check, and see where you stand. But the problem could be very much fuel related...
ok i replaced the starter because when the car would die mysteriously all the time like if i shut the ignition off(even when i drove the car too) when i would try to restart the engine it would crank slower than usual and i would hear this sound which resembles an air wrachet being run wide open!! since i have seen auto vehicles with starters that would act up when they got hot was the only reason i bought the other starter which was used and only cost me $35.00 from a local rx-7 place. no to rull out the fuel problem when my floats where stuck and the car was idling at 4k rpm the problem stated still occured,and since whatever stall the engine flat out on it's face i now had a carb that was filling up with gas!
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Old Nov 3, 2002 | 08:23 PM
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From: south jersey
Originally posted by Project84
Fly wheel may be missing teeth. We had a truck like that at work. Get in to start and whoooooshhhh all starter and no engine. We would put it in drive, push it forward a few feet so the engine would rotate a bit and the starter would have some teeth to engage. How the teeth get gone, I don't know.
i pulled the inspection cover off the trans and the flywheel has no missing teeth and the area is as clean as can be! when the problem occurs the engine cranks but very slowly and with the loud noise described in the first post. also i have a brand new battery in the vehicle. on another note i believe the previous owner experienced this problem and was going to convert the vehicle to manual to try and fix the it and also the starter on the car once i removed it looked brand new but covered in oil from a leak nearby.
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Old Nov 4, 2002 | 09:58 AM
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I'm not quite sure from your description, but when there isn't enough current to close the solenoid, it can cause a clicking sound that sometimes happens very rapidly if the battery has little charge left.

How's the alternator? Take a meter and check for proper current coming from the output.
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Old Nov 4, 2002 | 12:12 PM
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From: south jersey
Originally posted by 85RX7GS
I'm not quite sure from your description, but when there isn't enough current to close the solenoid, it can cause a clicking sound that sometimes happens very rapidly if the battery has little charge left.

How's the alternator? Take a meter and check for proper current coming from the output.
no clicking noise here,plus i know what it sounds like when the battery is dead and all you can hear is a solenoid click ,but i'm not getting that. good try though. also the alternator is charging fine. the problem is so consistent i can bet my paycheck on it! the car is fine when i go to start it when cold! cranks fine and everything after i let the car run and the needle gets about 1/4 of the way up the temp gauge the car dies flat like if i turned the ignition switch off. when i try to restart immediately the vehicle makes this horrible air wrachet going off sound while it's cranking the engine,but not allowing it to start(i have also tried to jump the vehicle while this is happening and there is no difference so there shouldn't be a battery problem) now if i wait til the vehicle is stone cold again i cranks fine and fast with no noise at all and will start! i have never expirienced a problem like this before. keep the ideas coming. later
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Old Nov 4, 2002 | 12:19 PM
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It sounds like it's some temperature sensitive thing, maybe on the carb.
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Old Nov 4, 2002 | 01:00 PM
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From: south jersey
Originally posted by 85RX7GS
It sounds like it's some temperature sensitive thing, maybe on the carb.
the sound that i hear sounds like it's coming from the starter! but i have experienced this problem with 2 different starters. maybe there is an electrical problem that is making the starter gear whine when it's get hot from engine heat?maybe i should ck my voltage at the starter when the problem occurs? on another note i remember having the car run for a long time without the problem occuring,the only difference was i kept the car in neutral after i started it i will try this situation again to see if the problem occurs!
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Old Nov 4, 2002 | 01:06 PM
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From: south jersey
also now that i think about it the problem maybe trans related. i remember yesterday having the car run a little longer than usual and having the rpms around 4k in neutral,but when i shifted the trans into reverse it died the same way as described in prior posts with the horrible noise again while trying to start the engine back up! now this could make perfect sense why the previous owner wanted to convert the car to manual. just a thought.
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Old Nov 4, 2002 | 01:19 PM
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Check your wire the battery terminal to the starter wire. I had a similiar problems and found out that I just had to replace the battery cable connector. Cleared up all my problems. Cost me $3 at a local auto parts store. I was surpised because it looked perfectly fine. The only why I found out was a friend was turning the key and I accedeintly leaned on the wire to look at things in the engine bay and the car started to work again. What luck.

-Error402
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Old Nov 4, 2002 | 01:52 PM
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That winding noise you're hearing is most likely being caused from the solenoid not pushing your pinion gear out to mesh with the flywheel. Could be bad ground(not likely), or one of your wires, like to the battery or ignition.

I'm looking at the schematic now, and I can see the starter is grounded in 2 places, the transmission bellhousing (obviously), and through the hot start relay, and via the hot start motor. The hot start relay is normally closed when the engine is cold. When the engine warms up the hot start relay is open, thus disconnecting your second ground. Try running a ground wire to your tranny maybe, and cleaning the surface between your tranny and starter.

Just a thought.
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Old Nov 4, 2002 | 02:37 PM
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I completely agree with metalliman. Adding another ground strap on the starter should be the first thing almost every FB owner should do. I read that in a FAQ somewhere....
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Old Nov 4, 2002 | 04:16 PM
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^^ exactly what i was thinking.
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Old Nov 4, 2002 | 04:41 PM
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From: valdosta,ga
My starter sounds exactly the way you are describing . An air ratchet going off wihout and resistance to it. I swapped the starter and it still does it, my car starts fine , and runs great its just a very anoying sound. It sounds like it may be a lack of fuel at operating temp, or poor compression at operating temp. Try the Atf trick and check for loose of damaged wires and grounds.

peace
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Old Nov 4, 2002 | 07:36 PM
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Here, read this link about starter motors

This is an excellent bit of information from David Lane:

Starter circuit diagnostics and fixes
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Old Nov 5, 2002 | 06:11 PM
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From: south jersey
ok the noise maybe a wiring problem at the starter as posted,but what is killing the engine even with my foot on the gas pedal? somehow these too problems are related because they never occur without the other! i need to get an electrical diagram and see what is involved in this circuit.
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Old Nov 5, 2002 | 06:15 PM
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From: south jersey
Originally posted by metalliman
That winding noise you're hearing is most likely being caused from the solenoid not pushing your pinion gear out to mesh with the flywheel. Could be bad ground(not likely), or one of your wires, like to the battery or ignition.

I'm looking at the schematic now, and I can see the starter is grounded in 2 places, the transmission bellhousing (obviously), and through the hot start relay, and via the hot start motor. The hot start relay is normally closed when the engine is cold. When the engine warms up the hot start relay is open, thus disconnecting your second ground. Try running a ground wire to your tranny maybe, and cleaning the surface between your tranny and starter.

Just a thought.
i will definately try this! thanx
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