Starter doesn't always work

[laserturbo91]

I have a 1g and they started doesn't always seem to work. You have to keep rocking the key back and forth. Sometimes it fires right up and others it takes a few trys. It has had a few new starters and they all have done that. When you do turn the key and it doesn't crank over you can hear a whine like the motor for the start isn't engaging. Could it be the iginition switch? I'd guess since it has had a few different starters, that it isn't quite that.
Thanks for any help,
Jeff

 

[Old Mitsu Tech]

I would check all my connections. Go to a parts house and get a remote starter. Hook one cable to the positive post of your battery and the other one to the little post on your starter. Try that. If it engages, then most likely it's in the switch and wiring. If it still just whines, take a battery voltage reading. If it's low, replace battery. If not, then it may indeed be your starter "again". I just don't replace too many starters on DSM's. I've never replaced the one on mine in 6 years. I drive it daily.

Good Luck

 

[Defiant]

I have a 1g and they started doesn't always seem to work. You have to keep rocking the key back and forth. Sometimes it fires right up and others it takes a few trys. It has had a few new starters and they all have done that.

That would indicate a tired ignition switch.

When you do turn the key and it doesn't crank over you can hear a whine like the motor for the start isn't engaging.

While that would indicate a bum solenoid, or crud inside the solenoid lever. Were these all used starters? Has it ever had a brand-new one?

 

[95talon_in_ma]

Could also be a misalignment or a mismatched starter/flywheel combo? Or a bent or cracked flywheel, or bad teeth.
Very common in chevy's. Not sure about these cars. But very similar to the symptoms you describe.

 

[Defiant]

Neh.... Chevy bolts their starters on from the bottom (oh, great design there, GM). Almost everything else bolts straight against the bell housing. However, do check your bell housing bolts and make sure the transaxle isn't loose from the block- another fairly common (and odd) DSM trait.

 

[JSin]

You also might want to jiggle all your ground connections and make sure their secure.

 

[laserturbo91]

Thanks for the replies so far, I will try some of the stuff and see how it works out. I am going to say that I right now agree with Defiant and think it is the switch. I have a friend is giving me a new iginition switch tomorrow so we'll see how that works. As for the history of the car I'm not too sure, I traded the car for a motorcycle. The old owner said that he has tried a few new starters (my guess is most likely they're reman'd) and that it has a new one in the car now. If has kept doing this over the course of a few starters, the problem is most likely elsewhere.
Hopefully I'll get the switch in the car, it'll work, get the car inspected and sell this car and then put the money into my Laser. I'll give you guys an update on Wednesday, thanks again