Starter problems

[zachakagoat]

Ok after some searching I think I have got the problem for my car but going to run it by everyone to make sure. Ok my car has been having problems with not wanting to start, the starter will continually get harder and harder to start, making looooong cranking sounds trying to start it until eventually after a few starts it wont do anything at all just hear it spinning. No relay click or anything just the starter spinning. All the lights work and the system in the car works so I don't think the battery is bad. It's a yellow top optima and autozone tested it and said it was ok. I checked the grounds and they are good from the top. I'm in a parking lot so I'm kinda stuck on getting underneath it to the starter until later tommorrow. Does anyone have the procedure for starter removal or is a pretty straight forward thing once I get underneath the car?

also I can't get the car to jump at all so from that I feel its not the battery or alternator right?
thanks,
zach

 

[ROOKIE1]

Seems right to me .

 

[98eclipseRS]

Doesn't sound like a starter to me but just a word of advice you are going to have a hell of a time getting at the starter from the bottom of the car. You need to pull the upper intercooler pipe and get at the two bolts from the top under neath the throttle body.

 

[toomey200]

if your starter is just spinning then it obviously isnt pushing out to engage. I would pull the starter out and once you have it out hook it up to a 12VOLT source and see if it spins and pops out. * It should push before around half a rotation. If it has to rotate a few times to pick up speed before pushing out then your starter is bad.*

 

[bojanglesracing]

Chech for loose bolts the solinoid may be coming out.

 

[zachakagoat]

Doesn't sound like a starter to me but just a word of advice you are going to have a hell of a time getting at the starter from the bottom of the car. You need to pull the upper intercooler pipe and get at the two bolts from the top under neath the throttle body.

Thanks for that information, I wasn't entirely sure how to get at the starter as I haven't messed with it at all and my shop manual is at my house and I am currently back at college. I will try this tommorrow and see what I can figure out. I went and bought a battery charger and charged the battery just to make sure it had a full charge and still nothing, the car still just whined like the starter motor was just spinning and not engaging anything. I'll update tommorrow. What is the average cost of a starter? I would perfer one that carries a lifetime warrenty because I keep ALL my receipts and car will be easier to sell in the long run if it has lifetime insured parts.

 

[Gst18]

From the sound of it its either a bad connection to the solenoid or a bad solenoid.

Solenoids are electromagnetic switches. When electricity is sent to the solenoid, a magnetic field forms. The magnetic field moves a metal piston, which is connected to a mechanism that performs a function. When the metal piston moves, the application is made. The application may be the moving of a valve, switch, or mechanical linkage.
www.americascarshow.com/glossary/Welcome.html

That is what engages the gear to your flywheel.

Good luck

 

[bojanglesracing]

I had the same problem. the solenoid came unbolted and worked out.

 

[bojanglesracing]

Did you find anything out?

 

[zachakagoat]

Yea we got the solenoid off and it was just dead, after 140k miles it is time for a new one . I am just going to get a refurbished one tommorrow and replace it. Gotta find one that has some kind ofwarrenty on it though, I'll keep ya updated.