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

Starter maitenence.

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Old 08-17-10, 09:07 PM
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Starter maitenence.

So, i would like some input on what everyone things the best started to get is for an everyday street drivin app.
I currently have a starter i had a good friend of mine rebuild, it wasn't cheap but it has all new parts, and new selonoid and has lasted me three years. But the selonoid is now about toast.
Should i have it rebuilt again or get one from oreillys? Autozone? or Auto value? Or or just get a selonoid?, then if i just get a selonoid what's my best choice?
Thanks,
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Old 08-18-10, 03:59 AM
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Man... how hard are you on your starter? Only three years? Anyways I'd just get a new selonoid.
Old 08-18-10, 10:52 AM
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I'm on my second starter... in 21 years. Last changed it something like 17 years ago.
Old 08-18-10, 01:52 PM
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Originally Posted by DivinDriver
I'm on my second starter... in 21 years. Last changed it something like 17 years ago.
See now thats what i'm talking about!
Old 08-18-10, 01:57 PM
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Don't blame the starter, they often get a bad wrap. I would look at the battery cables first. If they haven't been replaced yet, then that would be the place to start. The stock cables are aluminum, and tend to corrode internally until they can't get enough juice to the starter. Then it can start exhibiting symptoms of a bad starter or solenoid.

Good luck.








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Old 08-19-10, 07:27 AM
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i replaced the cables with NEW factory mazda cables when i bought the car four years ago, and no i'm not hard on the starter. *shrugs* i'll try to get a selonoid. Otherwise the starter motor is as good as new,
Thanks for the input.
Old 08-19-10, 08:50 AM
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I've had the same starter for 30 years on my 7. Only issue I ever had was with the
wiring. One time the small wire that triggers the solenoid was loose and constantly
falling off. And the other the main ground and power connections were loose/dirty.
Since those got cleaned up its never had a n issue.

I find it hard to toast a starter unless you:

a. submerge it in water
b. crank it until it smokes
c. crank it when the engine is already started.

All those things will kill a starter, otherwise they are pretty bullet proof. The
solenoid can go bad, but thats rare as well.

I actually have/had (not sure if its still in the garage) a rebuilt starter but when I
tried to put it in during a session with one of the above issues it would always
stay engaged on starting. So I went back to the old starter and figured out
the real issue instead.
Old 08-19-10, 10:53 AM
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A new reman starter is only $75. Just own up for a new reman and don't worry about getting stranded. Plus they come with a lifetime warranty!
Old 08-19-10, 11:58 AM
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My starter lived to an age of 229,000 miles. But hey, I guess it could happen...
Old 08-19-10, 01:01 PM
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Waffles - hmmm good

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Originally Posted by Keith13b
A new reman starter is only $75. Just own up for a new reman and don't worry about getting stranded. Plus they come with a lifetime warranty!
Thats because you'll have to return it 2 or 3 times until you get a good one. For
some reason the remanned starters are crap for our cars.
Old 08-19-10, 01:45 PM
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Yeah... definately crap.
Old 08-19-10, 02:11 PM
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They didn't used to be (my only replacement was a reman; 17 years and going strong) but most anything remanufactured these days seems to be of the barest-minimum quality. And sometimes less.
Old 08-19-10, 03:53 PM
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My oem unit started grinding on the flywheel - it just wouldn't plunge out far enough - left me stranded or pushstarting several times - SUCKED- ...bought a reman and have had it at least15+ years. No problems. I guess remans are hit or miss. I have had good luck with mine.
Old 08-19-10, 04:42 PM
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Only thing wrong is the Selonoid. Starters fine. So, just going to try and get the selonoid. Everything else is fine,
Old 08-19-10, 06:31 PM
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the only reman starter worth a damn is the dealer one. it used to be $80 vs the $75 lifetime of changing it parts store reman, but now i think its closer to $100.

its actually rebuilt by mitsubishi, the people who made it in the first place
Old 08-20-10, 07:02 AM
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Waffles - hmmm good

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+1

Thats good to know in case my 30 year old starter really fails
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