[jaybaum96]

So its now the time when i can finally start the motor, but the thing wont crank. Im thinking a bad starter perhaps. When i go to turn the key, i hear nothing, no clicks, no cranking, no nothing. Any ideas?

[nitehawkjcb]

VATS or bad starter/connection to the starter

[3800power]

Bad ground somewhere.

[me6894]

Have you tested the battery? Tried tapping the starter with a hammer while you're cranking?

[Brendensmonte]

bad relays/fuses? mine went one time when the battery was unhooked and hooked back up. check them first

[jaybaum96]

battery has 13.5 volts coming off of it. When i got my pcm tuned, he turned off the security settings so i wouldnt need to deal with them. The starter is grounded internally correct? (theres no ground coming off of the starter right?)

[Brendensmonte]

there should be a ground and a positive that go to your starter

[Brendensmonte]

there should be a ground and a positive that go to your starter

[nitehawkjcb]

Brendensmonte, on 21 August 2010 - 09:30 PM, said:

there should be a ground and a positive that go to your starter

This

[jaybaum96]

hmmm, any chance since i did the floor shifter swap the neutral safety switch could have been messed up? I did hook up the new btsi solenoid near the shifter tho and it is functioning correctly... also, which terminal on the starter do you hook the negative to?

[nitehawkjcb]

jaybaum96, on 22 August 2010 - 01:02 AM, said:

also, which terminal on the starter do you hook the negative to?

The negative goes on the back of the starter.

[Brendensmonte]

did u check ur ingnition system fuse yet im telling u its the simplest things taht go sometimes

[99z34na]

shot in the dark but my fuse box got pretty corroded and i had to clean it up recently. the one under the drivers side strut in the engine bay. seems to be my mysterious "VATS" issue solution.

[jaybaum96]

nitehawkjcb, on 22 August 2010 - 12:31 AM, said:

jaybaum96, on 22 August 2010 - 01:02 AM, said:

also, which terminal on the starter do you hook the negative to?

The negative goes on the back of the starter.

got any pics?

[nitehawkjcb]

jaybaum96, on 23 August 2010 - 10:55 AM, said:

nitehawkjcb, on 22 August 2010 - 12:31 AM, said:

jaybaum96, on 22 August 2010 - 01:02 AM, said:

also, which terminal on the starter do you hook the negative to?

The negative goes on the back of the starter.

got any pics?

No, and it's too dark out to take any pics right now. I'll take a pic or two tomorrow of how the starter is set up.

[jaybaum96]

ok, thanks alot man

[nitehawkjcb]

I couldn't get a picture of the ground I was referring to. It's in too odd of a place under the car and it's a b**ch trying to get under the front bumper. But I think I'm going to double check mine tomorrow anyway just to make sure the nut is tight on the ground wire (had an issue with this a couple months ago, got me paranoid now lol) but I'll try and get a good picture tomorrow. Anywho, here are other ground wires and their location - this is right under the exhaust crossover (end of the front manifold).

[jaybaum96]

did you get a chance to check for the other ones?

[nitehawkjcb]

I couldn't get a good pic under my car. This pic is from an L67 I googled.



The purple wire in this picture is the ground. It goes on the bottom-most post and you hold it on by a nut. Either 10 or 13mm most likely. The other post in the image is where your power wires go.

[stonecold0469]

Did it fire up yet!?! Honestly I checked mine...(which still has the wires) and from back 2 front you have first at left side a 13MM that goes from the solenoid to the starter then a 7MM or 8MM that holds a little power wire and then the last one that holds a bigger wire...I don't think you would mess that up, besides ALL the power wires that run in that area...just go look a gtp's friend or something

[99z34na]

So you might be a redneck if you are doing mechanic work in a walmart parking lot.

The starter removal:

1. Disconnect the negative battery terminal.

2. Remove the flywheel inspection cover. It is a crescent shaped piece of plastic that wraps around the starter motor body. Mine had one screw. #10 i believe.

3. Remove the (2) #15 bolts holding the starter. one is behind the frame from the front of the car and the other is in plain view. Both are shoulder bolts and will only go back in their respective places due to length. No need to label parts.

4. Now that the starter is free you can tilt it at a 45* to get at the power and ignition wires on the starter solenoid. the power wires are on one terminal and use a #12 nut. remove it and push the wires aside. Next remove the blueish ignition wire from the other terminal that is much smaller. It uses a #8 nut. Push it aside as well.

5. The starter is now free from the car but trapped in the cooler lines and the engine harness. Carefully wiggle it through down and towards the drivers side wheel. It's tight but not impossible.

6. Have a smoke and wash some of the oil from your valve cover leak off of you. This would also be time to have a beer if you aren't in walmarts parking lot.

Starter Installation:

1. Put the little rubber drain deal on the starter. Its probably in the bottom of the box like mine. I forgot to do this and had to climb back under there to put it on in yet another puddle in a parking lot. =[

2. Squeeze the new starter back up in there the way it came out.

3. Reattach both the power wires to the larger terminal being snug but mine was soft metal so be careful not to strip anything. Also reattach the smaller blueish ignition wire.

4. Start with the front bolt on the starter because it is easier to see and put it in about 3/4 of the way in. Now the back one can be put in and tightened. Tighten the front bolt the rest of the way. If you are like me and are on your back this is the most frustrating step of the whole process because holding the starter up and aligning a bolt is tricky.

5. Put the flywheel inspection cover back on and connect the negative battery terminal.

6. Clean up any tools, lower car and start it up. Drive to the gas station and purchase one large beer ( I prefer Stone Brewing's Arrogant Bastard Ale 22 oz)



All said and done it wasn't all that bad and not one of my knuckles are bleeding. Today is a good day.






my quote but hopefully that breaks down the starter for you as best as I can.

[ComradeRedXv2]

get it started jay?

[jaybaum96]

does anyone have any decent pics?