Starter problem.

Technical Topics specific to the Hatchback body - NOT where you post pics/build specs of your car.
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Starter problem.

By skeetskiii
- Sun Jul 12, 2009 6:26 pm #129931 So I had this problem for awhile. There are times my car's starter doesn't turn or crank. All I hear is a click every time I attempt to start the car. Before, All I had to do I wait a few minutes, try again and can start the car.

Recently, this problem has be occurring more often so I can't wait for it anymore. If I push start it, I can go the rest of the day with the starter working flawlessly.

So I was wondering, if there is anything I can check before I replace the start itself. (If that's even the problem)

Please help, I'm baffled! Thanks!
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By 3kkl3sia
- Sun Jul 12, 2009 7:22 pm #129933 try moving the clutch pedel in and out barily, mine used to do it but if i barily moved the clutch in and out then it would work.
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By Ajax1989
- Sun Jul 12, 2009 8:02 pm #129937 check the power wire from the battery to the starter, it may be corroded
make sure the starter is bolted tightly cause it grounds its self to the block

check your battery too, check the ground wire from the tranny to the frame

if all there check out good
then ur starter is prob bad

but before you replace it
see how much a shop will charge
you to hook up a micro-vat, it will tell you if its bad or not

GL wit it tho :thumb:
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By skeetskiii
- Sun Jul 12, 2009 8:27 pm #129940 Alright so I was checking out my starter and the starter battery wire simply came off easily. Any tips on cleaning and tightening the loose flat plug?

Hopefully that's the problem.
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By Ajax1989
- Sun Jul 12, 2009 8:44 pm #129941 just make sure its corroded, just tighten it as much as you can with out brakin the stud
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By Punksz6
- Sun Jul 12, 2009 8:50 pm #129943 Hi try cleaning the starter itself.(Not the whole thing) Take apart the end of the starter and clean the Brush holder and brushes ..I did this a couple years ago when my starter started to do the same I would crank it and it wouldn't engage...I took it out and I remember cleaning the Brush holder and some of the contact points like the starter solenoid. Check to see if its kinda coroded or anything. I think I used a wire brush or some sand paper to clean some contact points and brush holder in there...Hopefully that helps... :)
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By That One Dude
- Tue Jul 14, 2009 10:59 pm #130402 Have you figured it out yet?

If not, next time it clicks, get out and tap the solenoid a few times with a hammer (not a mallet). Get in and try to start it.

How about those connections?

By the "flat plug", you mean the wire going to the soleniod? That would need to be replaced if it's corroded or too loose. It's really difficult to adjust that female connector without breaking it.

And on the battery cable, if your negative terminal doesn't fit right, put a paper clip between the terminal and the post. I know that's some serious shade tree shit, but it works better than you would think. If that doesn't suit your fancy, go to your local auto parts store and get a pair of terminal ends. Or go to Honda and get the factory negative cable.

Did you check all of the grounds? It's highly unlikely that the starter bolts are not torqued properly unless you replaced your clutch recently and didn't torque those down all the way. Still unlikely though.

I hope I've been of some help.
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By teal_dx
- Wed Jul 15, 2009 12:13 am #130443 next time it happens, give it a few taps with a hammer. If that works, then your starter is going to need a rebuild soon. Most likely it is the contacts inside that are worn down. Maybe you can replace just the contacts :? I swapped some out from a spare starter from an automatic when mine wore out.
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By That One Dude
- Wed Jul 15, 2009 12:36 am #130453 Word ^. However, for those of us who have never rebuilt a starter or taken apart an electric motor, it's a bit of a daunting task.

If the OP decides to rebuild the starter, I'd recommend taking pictures just to make sure he gets it all back together properly. Assuming the OP doesn't have a Helm's manual or access to one.
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By skeetskiii
- Fri Jul 31, 2009 10:13 pm #134692 Well I already tried tapping it, but no luck. So what I did was clean out the leads because it was building up with grease and tighten them. I did it yesterday and I had no problem. We'll see how it holds up.

Thanks for all the suggestions, sorry for the late reply.
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