1badFB

iTrader: (1)

Ok, so for the past while my starter has seemed to have been turning slower and slower every time I tried to start the car, It still got it started for a good period of time just didnt seem to turn as fast as it should have. The other day I went to the store and when I came back out and turned the key....nothing, not even the click from the solenoid or anything. After a while I tried it a few more times and all of a sudden, it started...but slow still. I made it home and was backing into the yard when I stalled the car. Now however it wouldnt start at all. I pushed it back into its spot and left it. Since I had had some problems with my battery dying lately I went out and got myself a new battery. So anyways, I come home tonight, pop in the brand new battery and try to start the car and all I get is not even a second of weak cranking, then nada again. I cant even get a click or a noise or anything. When I try to start it I can hear the fuel pump come on for a second or two, so I figure its not the ignition but could it still be that? I checked the connections on the starter and they seem tight and there isnt any crazy corrosion or anything, I also tried tapping the starter with a hammer but nothing. It seemed that the little cap or whatever the wires connect to on the starter was a bit loose. Is this unusual? I tried to jiggle the wires and it seemed to move the silver cap a bit on the starter too. Anyways if any of you have experienced this or something like this, anything to look for would be awesome as Im stumped. Thanks in advance.

cdrad51

Hit it with a bigger hammer.

1badFB

iTrader: (1)

LOL, not quite the response I was looking for but at least it was somehting, haha. When you hit the starter with a hammer what exactly is the point...isnt it to loosen up the brushes or something? There doesnt seem to be much going on at the starter since you dont even hear a click when you try to start it...I guess ill get under there and test it tommorow, and if theres power at the starter ill pull out the hammer again and see what I can do. If someone could tell me some very specific troubleshooting instructions for the starter and the problems Im having, I would be very greatful. Ive looked over the haynes and just dont know where to look, and I really wanna get her back on the road. Im sure many of you know how I feel.

cdrad51

Ok on a more serious note, if connections are not at fault, your starter might be dying. Get a rebuilt one and give yours as a core, and it should be like 50 bux. That's what I did, and I was having the exact same symptoms you describe. And btw, I did use a bigger hammer for a while , not sure what it does but it did work for a bit.

partsguy74

Hitting the starter with a hammer basically will release stuck brushes. Sounds like you either have bad battery cables (the resistance in them increases as they age) or the starter is slowly dying or has died completely.. Replace the battery cables first (cheapest and a good idea anyway). If that doesn't solve it, then remove the starter and take it to Advance or Autozone. They can bench test it to determine if it is drawing more amps than normal. Good luck.

Dave

lovintha7

For the love of God. Don't take it to Advance. Those people test a starter with no load on it. It may work fine in the store, but as soon as you put it in the car, nada. Just go buy a Mazda reman starter, after you replace the cables. I got my starter from the dealer for $60. Was for a 12a MT.

partsguy74

The tester that Advance and zone have does not test under load conditions. But, if you have someone reading the tester properly, it doesn't need to be under load. There are acceptable and unacceptable amperage draws permitted. If the starter is drawing more amps than the battery can provide, it will show on the tester. The only time you need to test a starter under a load, is to determine if the bendix is free wheeling which it obviously isn't in his case.

Dave

1badFB

iTrader: (1)

If its not even clicking or anything what do I test to make sure the electrical system is working before I go and take the starter in, I know the battery has good connections and it all looks like it should work but it doesnt. It is an 85 12a mt. Where do I go now to narrow this down before taking the starter in?

partsguy74

Like I said, replace the battery cables. They could look perfectly fine and be corroded on the inside, thereby causing increased resistance. If you have a multimeter, you can test the voltage being received at the starter, but, like I said, the battery cables are 20 years old, most likely.. That's a good place to start.. Then, if that doesn't work, pull the starter and head to the parts store. The loose pieces on the starter have me concerned about the starters health, but start with the cables.. Good luck

bizarro

iTrader: (1)

it can be as simple as loose fusible links...i had the same problem last year, i pulled mine out, cleaned out the ends of the links with a steel brush and done...problem never came back...(great...i just jinxed myself )

deeman111

just check all the fusable links, get a piece of sand paper and give the + lead from the batt to starter a good scuffing up and also clean where they connect to. Check that your earth leads are in good nick. Yes it earths to the g/box, but the g/box might have a crappy connection to the chassy.. just check it all. Then go spend some $$$ on a new starter.

I thought i had the same problems, was taking longer and longer to start. I got a new battery, a new alternator (bcause it died and killed the batt), and i replaced the starter leads and all the earths to some big *** leads. Starts first time every time, super quick and it just sounds healthier when starting

-James

numan2

check where the wire goes into the terminal too not just where the terminal goes to the batt. post.....it corrodes there and causes a nightmare electrical problems