FAQ: Starter/Solenoid Info

deekster_caddy wrote:

hey man chill out. We get newbies here all the time and there's nothing like some good advice to turn a newbie into an enthusiast.

or an expert like yourself!!!

thanks for the positive reply AA and caddy , I do appreciate it. Im just new to my car and im trying to do most of the work myself because i do hate asking people for help. i however know that no man is an island so ill bite the bullet 9 times out of 10 to ask a question if i dont know the answer myself. having said that i am going to go in the engine later on today and see what i may need to begin with in order to get the starter out. ill let yall know the progress.

Great reply AlbertJ! a guy told me the same thing that it may be the solenoid. but ill def check them wires.

I think the solenoid is part of the starter, and they must be serviced as a unit, but I could be wrong. This means the starter (and solenoid) must first be removed, and yes, an auto parts store can do a test to check both the starter motor and the solenoid's function, so hopefully that's enough to diagnose the problem.

Since the starter must come off, you might as well inspect both the starter gear teeth and the flywheel gear for damage. They're probably okay, but checking them will tell you if the problem is mechanical or electrical.

They didn't give you the points i did!!!

AA wrote:

I think the solenoid is part of the starter, and they must be serviced as a unit, but I could be wrong. This means the starter (and solenoid) must first be removed, and yes, an auto parts store can do a test to check both the starter motor and the solenoid's function, so hopefully that's enough to diagnose the problem.

Since the starter must come off, you might as well inspect both the starter gear teeth and the flywheel gear for damage. They're probably okay, but checking them will tell you if the problem is mechanical or electrical.

On the GM, Chrysler and many other cars I am aware of the solenoid's part of the starter. On many Fords I am aware of (and old AMCs I've worked on) there is a separate starter relay, usually on the firewall or an inner fender. It is cheaper to make, works fine, and there is not exactly a solenoid on the starter. Basically the thing works like this - you turn the key, it sends power to the starter relay, relay closes and turns on the starter motor, and makes a "pole shoe" swing into position - basically that gadget moves a pinion gear to engage the flywheel ring gear, and simultaneously closes a pair of heavy-duty contacts supplying current to the starter motor winding, which cranks the engine. When the engine starts, it runs faster than the starter can turn -- so an overrunning clutch in the pinion gear uncouples that gear from the ring gear. The sound of the starting engine effectively gives "feedback" to the driver, who lets go of the key -- which cuts power to the starter motor assembly, and in turn a spring pulls the pole shoe and pinion gear back into the resting position.

The GM starter is way simpler - The solenoid is on the starter. When the driver turns the key it sends current from the starting battery to the solenoid, which engages a lever that pushes out the drive pinion gear to mesh with the starter ring gear on the flywheel. The solenoid also closes high-current contacts for the starter motor, which begins to turn. The sound of the starting engine effectively gives "feedback" to the driver, who lets go of the key -- then a spring in the solenoid assembly pulls the pinion gear away from the ring gear, and the starter motor stops...

Albertj

i havent checked it out as yet guys, but i will this week when i get paid. you know what is weird too, that horrible noise only happens when the time is really cold. it hasnt started to snow as yet, but when the temp drops to like 30s and the car has been sitting for a while, when i try to start it the sound happens. does anyone know why this happens? its weird yo. i work at night from 10-7am and it usually happens when im ready to leave work in the mornings and the car has been sitting there all night, but when i reach home and is ready for work later on in the night and i start it, it dosnt happen. do you get my drift?

Hey adri your solenoid is dying my friend , you have to replace it as a whole unit and you can get a new one in www.rockauto.com for about $100.00 + shipping, the reason why it's because when you energize the solenoid (by turning the key to the start position) it pulls the little gear in the starter out and starts to spin the flex plate (a.k.a. flywheel) to start the engine, but when the solenoid gets stuck the gear it's still out and the flex plate start to rotate the "starter motor" too FAST and makes that screech noise very loud!!

I plan to replace the starter because all indications have lead to that being the problem. It does seem like the starter and solenoid are one and the junk yard has got them for $35 so i guess that is my best bet. i took a brief look at the starter and it seems like there is just one bolt holding it..kinda weird, but i will replace it.

Thats it i think you have got it,don't forget that there is a shim behind the starter/bolt.Don't loose it or forget to put back with new one or you will here the same thing "horrible screeching"!!!

flyineagle96 wrote:

Thats it i think you have got it,don't forget that there is a shim behind the starter/bolt.Don't loose it or forget to put back with new one or you will here the same thing "horrible screeching"!!!

And if you p ull it at the yard take that shim - the shims are used to align the starter case to the housing. Sometimes you don't need one, sometimes you need a fat one.

I havent had much money lately so everything has kinda been on a hold, but i got a new starter. the starter and solenoid are one btw. so now i have the part but to get the old one replaced is the issue. im no mechanic but im def willing to learn, but i like having experience around me so i know im on the right track. id like someone however to give me a step by step walkthrough on how that replace my starter, if possible. id appreciate it a whole lot.

Thanks to all you guys for helping me out when i have any questions, as stupid as they may seem.

Did you get the new starter in okay? How did it go?

Does anyone have a picture of the starter/solenoid and the wiring connections? The GM shop manual's diagram is a little unclear. It doesn't seem to match the wiring in my car.

AA wrote:

Does anyone have a picture of the starter/solenoid and the wiring connections? The GM shop manual's diagram is a little unclear. It doesn't seem to match the wiring in my car.

...what's the problem?

I'm trying to reconnect the starter. Here is what I have:



There is a large ground cable in the picture, not sure where it's supposed to connect.

Still have not been able to figure out where this ground wire connects. Here's a shot from the top side. You can see the wire is bundled with the pos wire, which has a similar connector. The manual illustrates the starter installation without referencing where this wire goes.

I'm fairly sure that extra ring is the block ground a little left of the starter area if you're looking at it from the front of the car.

That makes sense, thx. Probably doesn't matter too much I guess.

On the 95 I believe that wire is the main engine ground that connects to underneath the coil pack.It slides over on of the coil pack studs that screw into the engine block.

I seem to recall that ground going under the bottom front transmission bolt.

^^^^ hmm, I thought about that. Can someone peak under the hood and verify?

Ill go look.

Its too wet out to get under the car... but I did find some illustrations in the service manual...



I hope this helps... if not I can try tomorrow to get a shot from under the front end.