Checked battery and alt. Car doesnt make a sound when you try and start it, we have to push it to start it. Is this a starter problem?

 

Possibly. Hit the starter with a hammer a few times and try to start it.

 

with a hammer?, just hit the hole thingay

 

If the starter doesn't make any sound when you turn the key, you're not getting any power to the solinoid. Your problem may be somewhere else, not in the starter.

Rob

 

Or the solenoid is bad, and whacking it with the hammer will usually jar it into working one or two more times. And yes, we do mean get a hammer, and crawl under there and give it a couple of good thuds. This will get you going, but you're going to have to replace it. Though, it'd be a good idea to check what Rob said as well before you go smacking up a good starter. Best bet would to be to check the clutch switch.

 

Hey dude, I just went through a whole project to figure out what the heck was wrong with my starter. My symptoms were the same as yours.

Look for my thread just a few days ago...just do a search under my username.

Here is a synopsis:
pull the thin black wire off the starter - check for 12v while trying to start car (it will not start w/o the connected).

Check the clutch interlock switch for 12v when cranking. Its located behind the cluthc pedal, at the very top, under the dash. Its the one that is on the firewall side, not the one that is on the seat side of the pedal.

Then check the relay for 12v when cranking the car (thick green wire) that is located right behind the trailing coils.

If all these things are getting 12v. The its the actual starter or magnetic switch (solenoid). Get a reman unit from Mazda or a Pep Boys, Napa type of place. They will run from $100 - $180, but they will have a decent warranty.

In the mean time, you can try hitting the thing with a hammer instead of a push start.

 

I just replaced my starter. I got a reman from O reillys. Its was like $89 bucks. I new the starter was going because it started taking longer to start the engine untill finally it was just making a clicking noise. Make sure the problem isn't some place else. If the performance of the starter has gradually lessend then thats your problem.

 

well, i hit it with a hammer, tried numerous times and it wont start. The connections to it are a-ok . What should i check for now. When i turn the key to start, you hear a very fast chirping noise almost like a cricket coming from the center of the engine.

 

Is the starter turning and not engaging the flywheel?


Rob

 

sounds like the starter is gone, that reman one of Quaid's actually worked pretty dang well.


"Start the reactor!!"

 

Kuato lives!