Seems like the bendix died on the 85GSL. Strange, because usually a dying bendix stutters first, then dies. But it just doesn't do anything. Electrical seems OK: idiot lights OK, all other electrical OK. Even the durn fusible links test out OK. Sigh. I guess I gotta go under. It's parked on a downgrade toward the garage.

I had the clutch changed last week too. Too bad we couldn't do the bendix at the same time.

B

 

Bendix is a brand name. Starter prob?

 

OK, the starter solenoid. Been called 'the bendix' since bendix invented it.

I'm gonna crawl under and put the voltmeter on it to make sure it's getting 12v. Replacement is $60 from Kragens. Couldn't find a 7 that still had a starter at the boneyard.

Still seems odd that it quit without stuttering.

B

 

Might seem odd, but tap it with a wrench... I'm serious! On more than one vehicle my dad or Lawrence has owned, when the starter started having problems they'd tap it up and down with a wrench and try it... after a few tries it'd start working again for a while... not a permanant fix, but it'll get ya moving

Jon

 

it works, ive done it before too. when i got my first 7 the starter was bad on it and i still had to get around. so it was kinda like, "i hope it starts this time".

 

Ya sounds like there is a dead spot in the starter motor. Taping lightly with a wrench or hamer can vibrate the armature enough to get it beyoind the bad spot and allow you to start, but keep something you can tap it with handy untill you get it replaced.

My friend had an old Motor Boat the starter would do that in and all we would do is wack it with an Ore and bingo it would start right up and we were back out sking again in no time.

But like was said above this will get you out of a bind not fix it perminant like.

anthrax

 

I'll try tapping it when I manage to get under. It's parked on a downslope gravel driveway..ughh.

I've had that tapping thing work on a Fiat I once owned. Also my friends toyota pickup.

Too bad I can't do it from on top. Though I might be able to snake something down there.

B

 

The little wire didn't slip off the tab did it? It's happened to many cars around here (rotary and boinger).

 

I have a used starter from my se you can have. Let me know if and when you want to pick it up. I live in alameda.

Jeff

 

JLIU: Thanks. I'll do that, unless I find a loose wire underneath. I dove under the 3 or 4 cars down at the fremont PnP last sunday on 1/2 price day, but they were all picked clean.

B

 

Aha! The problem is solved: the low current wire jumped off the spade lug.

I finally gave up on the psychic method of WISHING the problem away and dove under the car and there was the wire, waving in the wind. It's sortof horrible that it's just a spade lug, but I've also had cars that had a full screwon connector, and that makes it a bear to get the starter out.

B

 

I am glad it was something simple.

Jeff

 

JLIU:

Thanks for your offer! I appreciate it.

I'll have the garage guy put it up on the lift and give it a gentle squeeze with pliers so it doesn't pop off again.

B