StevieA

So today was first symptom of a bad starter. It was -19 celcius -2 farenheit and I got four or five clicks before it started. Now I know from other threads everything else should be checked first ie. battery and connections. But what if dome light & everything else are bright and battery never showed signs of problems to this point and once it did catch it whirled over with plenty of juice?

Safe to say the solonoid contacts are toast?

Those that have replaced/repaired starter in the past - how long can you "limp" along clicking like this before it never starts? Just wondering because I ordered plunger and "heavy duty" contacts kit from nationsautoelectric.com/densoparts.html and it'll be almost a couple weeks before we get a chance to replace. Thanks

williamb82

if it was that cold. there could have been frost or something on the contacts. also, being that cold, the battery had ALOT less cranking amps then at normal temps.

StevieA

hmmmmmm....interesting thanks, we'll see how things go as time goes by & the weather changes. Solonoid & contacts was only $60 shipped & taxed to Canada & will likley need at some point

NTRUDA

I agree..cold weather could've had some materials on the contacts but what I learned is that your battery is very important...it has to have alot of cold cranking amps...if possible check your battery to see if you have sufficient cca's because if not it puts a strain on your starter and alternator..in addition, I would check that as well just 2 be on the safe side...

deanshark

Has it done this in the past? It could be just a cold battery. If it does it again when it's that cold, try turning your headlights on for about 5 minutes, that warms the battery and it will start easier. The 1st time someone told me that I thought they were nuts, but it works.

StevieA

Interesting - well bought the car last spring so this is first cold winter so its never done this before but bought it damage-repaired and he just threw in a battery that worked when I bought it so have to check the cca's - anyone know the min requirement? Also, the alternator is used replacement and I also just had 2,000 watt stereo installed so all your advice is adding up to a potential cold/connectors/battery type issue thanks

NTRUDA

I'm thinking that that minimum cca's is either 650/750...and if you are running a 2000 watt stereo, you definitely need a stronger battery and altenator IMHO....

denverdog

if you are not running synthetic oil, consider doing so. mobil 1, at very cold temperatures, flows about like it does in july. this puts a LOT less strain on the car when starting cold.

StevieA

it's got 600cca's 70Ah

randal

Not sure what you mean by 4 or 5 clicks. Were the clicks in rapid succession with you holding the key in the start position? Or do you mean you had to rotate the key 4 or 5 times to the start position with a single click resulting each time?

If it is rapid succession with the key held, then your battery is most likely the culprit. If single clicks, then it is the starter solenoid.

StevieA

It's single clicks. Turn to acc......wait for about 5 seconds, turn to start, hear one single "click". Curse. Turn key back off. Turn ahead to acc, wait, turn to start hear one click. Curse more. Keep repeating until it catches. This time it whirled on fourth or fifth try.

This morning it was 2 ceclius, 36 farenheit started no problem.

williamb82

when it whirled, did it sound normal, or a lil slow

StevieA

It whirled normal. And has since. That's why I was thinking the starter solonoid contacts were getting bad

For safety's sake however, I just ordered a 130Amp alternator since I calculated the requirements of my car and stereo on the existing 100amp used alternator and determined that with regular load coming from the regular LS electrical requirements and a regular usage of the stereo would equate to very limited reserve wattage available. With the 130Amp alternator I should have sufficient reserve like about 490 watts vs. 50.

Also scoping out fitting in a 875 cca battery

williamb82

100 amp? my 93 has a 120amp alt stock. the ls has 120amp, the sc has 100 amp.

StevieA

Oh geez thanks come to think of it I may have been just guessing think someone told me its either 100 or 80 then I read the 95-97's were 80amp? anyway, thanks

EDIT - just spoke with Eagle Auto ELectric CA where I ordered my alternator he says my car came with 100amp ANyway, he says he tested the 130amp alt. I ordered this morning before shipping and it had an output of 147amps