DAYUIZ

Over the past 4-5 weeks my starter has taken about 1-3 seconds to actually start spinning after I turn the key. In the last week there have been times when the starter didn't spin at all. I'd have to turn the ignition off and try to start it again to get the starter to work. The entire time I've been able to push start the car.

I thought maybe the battery wasn't putting out enough amps since the battery was old anyway. I just installed an Optima Deep Cell sealed battery and the starter won't start at all now.

Yes I've checked every single fuze in the car. I have no idea how old the starter is, but it has to be at least 3+ years old cause thats how long I've had the car and its never been changed. Has my starter died?

-Steve

DirtyBirdJR

the starter solenoid has probably worn out not uncommon over time, i just replaced one that acted the same way and i have a 94ls

JimBlake

Yeah, but it's also how an ignition switch dies.

Have someone hit the starter with a screwdriver handle or broom handle, while you're trying to start it. If that makes it go, you know it's the starter. If that doesn't make any difference then you gotta look elsewhere. Maybe you can take the starter apart & replace brushes or replace it's solenoid. But it's easier to get a new starter...

DAYUIZ

Thanks guys, thats what I thought. I doubt its the ingition switch though cause I just replaced my whole steering column after my car was stolen. I took the ingition apart and it looked pretty clean.

Sounds like I'm off to Autozone.

_Steve

RedTegLS

Hey, let me know if this fixes your problem!

DAYUIZ

After looking through my manual, what about my starter relay? Is there a chance that the relay could go bad, or do those things usually just fail without any signs of dieing?

-Steve

JimBlake

The starter relay? You mean the starter solenoid that's mounted onto the starter motor?

Sure, it's job is to:
1) Push the starter pinion gear out to engage the teeth on the flywheel.
2) Close the big circuit to run the starter motor.

The contacts for #2 get dirty, so they don't always complete the circuit. See if you can clean them up. But sometimes they just get burned away by arcing, then there's not much you can do...

DAYUIZ

Thats good info but I'm talking about the starter relay that is mounted on the firewall to the right side of the heater unit.

DAYUIZ

One more thing, I just disconnected my selenoid terminal wire and put a jumper wire from the battery to the terminal on the starter and it still did not start the starter. There was a click, kinda like a relay clicking, but the starter still didn't spin.

This is the test my manual said to try. It says that if this test doesn't work, take apart the starter and look there....which translates into buy a new starter.

Everyone agree?

-Steve

superthug

I dont know exactly but it could be the main fuel relay. If you have a g2 integra its a regular problem. The relay is under ur steering column, try hitting there to see if it starts.

DAYUIZ

Changed that 8 months ago, but thanks.

-Steve

JimBlake

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DAYUIZ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">One more thing, I just disconnected my selenoid terminal wire and put a jumper wire from the battery to the terminal on the starter and it still did not start the starter. There was a click, kinda like a relay clicking, but the starter still didn't spin.</TD></TR></TABLE>That pretty much narrows it down! Time for a new starter unless you feel like taking it apart.

The main relay isn't involved in the starter circuit at all. All it can do is keep the fuel & spark from happening.

DAYUIZ

thanks Jim. Now I just gotta cough up the dough for a new starter.

agrn93ls

i am a mechanic and that is the way to test the starter but one more thing to do is since you have ruled out any relays or bad connection from small wire to the solenoid ( which i was gonna say that little wire is a problem a lot of time because the little connector will spread or just have a bad connection, which i personally have seen a lot ) by connecting straight to the battery, is while you have that wire hooked to the solenoid or you can have someone get in the car and hold the key on start is try jiggling the cable because a lot of time you will have just a slightly bad connection that will hold until you hit start and then it will lose the connection so hold to start and wiggle the positive wire at the battery terminal, if that dosent work get a hammer and while you do the wire test or have someone hold the key to start pop the starter with a hammer if it works then, get a new starter