thestallion

Ever since I got my 84 GSL-SE (M/T) several years ago, I've had problems with the starter not engaging on a cold start (starter spins/grinds, engine doesn't). If I hit the key enough times, eventually the starter will engage and crank like it should. I assumed since the problem got better or went away completely after warming up good that the problem was in the solenoid so I picked one up. I'm finally trying to get this straightened out now and it's not going too well...
I pulled the starter and put on the new solenoid. As per Chilton's instructions, I tried energizing the solenoid with the starter motor unhooked to check the pinion gap, but the starter gear wouldn't move. If I moved it into place by hand, the solenoid would keep it there until I cut the power, but it wouldn't move the gear on it's own. So I took the solenoid off and tried energizing it with similar results. This new solenoid has the nifty shim plate with the tab that holds the plunger in, but when I put power to it, it won't move the plunger unless I help it a little. Even from a position similar to where it would sit in place on the starter, it won't overcome the spring's pressure on it's own consistently. It seems to work fine without the spring in place, but I of course can't install it that way . There doesn't seem to be excessive drag in the starter gear's travel. So am I crazy or can I assume that the new solenoid AND the old one are both too weak to engage the starter properly? (ie, that I got junk parts). I tried reinstalling the starter with the new solenoid and it acts exactly like it did before. Basically it seems to get up too much spin on the starter gear before the solenoid can push it into place (as it often tends to engage just as I let off the key and let the starter slow down).
I checked out the flywheel and it looks fine, so I'm just trying to figure out if I need to pick up ANOTHER solenoid or just give up and shell out the cash for a whole starter. The starter works fine when it engages, so I think a stronger solenoid would fix the problem, but I'm just hoping for a little feedback...

MIKE-P-28

iTrader: (1)

I bet the bendix is bad, thats the little plunger thing. Id take it to a electric motor rebuilding shop. I got a few done here for like $25 each! Hell the parts are like $20... And NEVER I repeat NEVER get a starter from Autozone , unless you like replacing them once every 6 months...