could it still be my starter?
 

so lately my car tends not to turn on sometimes. i have a new alt and new battery. i've tapped on the starter a few times and it would start. so im thinking, starter.

i went to get an electrical test and they said the alternator, battery and starter we're fine. but it could still be the starter right? and how would i knwo if it is the main relay? whats the main relay do anyways

Re: could it still be my starter?
 

when you turn the ignition do you hear that clicking noise?

Re: could it still be my starter?
 

Make sure all the wires are in good contact and like stated above when it doesnt start what does it do?

If you need a Main Relay I have 2 in good working order.

Re: could it still be my starter?
 

Even if the electrical current going through your starter is still in proper working order, there is a mechanism called the Bendix that extends the pinion teeth on the starter so that they can properly link up to the flywheel. If this Bendix is faulty, then the starter teeth won't reach the flywheel to even turn the car over.

Re: could it still be my starter?
 

oh ya sorry

i hear the click, the fuel primes, all my lights come on. just no crank. the auto parts store guy told me the solenoid for the starter could just be bad. im starting to think its just my starter.

also, if it is my main relay, my friend gave me his main relay from a DA. would that work if i needed it? thanks

Re: could it still be my starter?
 

cam/crank sensor?

Re: could it still be my starter?
 

his car isn't even turning over (by the sounds of it) so it won't be a sensor.

if you have good alt & battery, and no cranking over at all, then ya, it is probably your starter. you could just have a connection issue. double check the wiring, if all looks good to the starter then change it.

if it's the main relay the car will at least try to crank over and start. but it is my understanding that your car is doing nothing, turn the key, nothing. correct? if so, the main relay is not your problem.

Re: could it still be my starter?
 

^thanks a lot bud! just what i needed to hear.

the main relay would be the thing i hear clicking when i turn the key to accesories right?

Re: could it still be my starter?
 

Mine would do this too. I was missing a ground wire. maybe give that a try

Re: could it still be my starter?
 

ground wire from the starter? i dont think im missing anything because this only happens sometimes. my car still starts up, its just once in a while this happens. i never know when its gonna happen haha.

im hoping its just my starter.

Re: could it still be my starter?
 

This happened to me too. My car would start sometimes, and sometimes it wouldnt. I had somebody look at it because i was completely confused. They just hooked a ground up to my battery. and it worked. It happened to my friend also. I would get the starter tested. But if it isnt the starter i would check to see if you are missing any grounds.

Re: could it still be my starter?
 

sounds like the starter motor itself is fine, and its simply a faulty solenoid. they cause intermittent starting problems. so long as +12v is getting to the trigger wire then your ignition switch is good. if at any point you see battery power at the trigger wire and the starter fails to engage, then you know its the solenoid.

Re: could it still be my starter?
 

ya the auto parts guy told me i was gettign 12v, so it probably is the solenoid. is there a way to change the solenoid only? is it cheaper or should i just change the whole thing out to be safe. its only like 70 bucks. lol

Re: could it still be my starter?
 

just change out the whole thing

Re: could it still be my starter?
 

thanks bud :thumbup:

Re: could it still be my starter?
 

this is still happening to me...my car will start up no problem one day...and another time it won't...i changed the starter already and it still does it....still stuck...anyone kno wha i should do?

Re: could it still be my starter?
 

start a new thread if you really want help and provide a lot more information. is it turning over, any CELs, can you hear the fuel pump prime?

Re: could it still be my starter?
 

if the trigger wire on the starter isn't loose then your ignition switch is most likely the culprit.