I was working on a '96 SSEi last weekend and this weekend where the starter motor had apparently frozen up or any number of other things. It would give off a puff of smoke when you tried to start it, and wouldn't turn.
When I pulled it, and bench tested it, same thing. Basically done for. Except I noticed that the drive was stuck half engaged. So I forced it back down in, and sure enough the starter was working again. Worked about three times before it got stuck again and locked up. Whatever, junkyard starters are like $25, and I can replace the massive stupid starter that requires removal of the front exhaust manifold to R&R for the gear reduction starter motor that is small enough to squeak between the subframe and the bottom of the radiator support.
I grabbed one last weekend, bench tested it, checks out ok. Strip it down to check the brushes and put a new solenoid on it, clean it up, paint it, etc. It works like a champ.
Go to install it in the car, and it doesn't work. It clicks like the battery is low or dead, which is not the case. I was slightly confused as to how this new issue happens while that car sat for a week...
The DMM told me I had +12.6v at the starter and +12.2v on the solenoid trigger when the key was turned to start. If I have +12v there, the only other thing to check is the ground. Quick and dirty way, use the jumper cable to connect the battery ground to a stud on the block. Starter comes to life and everything works! Amazing!
I removed the negative cable from the battery, I couldn't find any corrosion in the wire, so cleaned it up and it was still acting finicky. Ended up basically replacing it with a new ground strap that is located in a spot that is easier to access. Not sure what was wrong with that strap, but I've never seen that before.
_________________ Boost addict The Fleet: '93 SSEi - Twincharged + manual Build thread '97 Camaro - Top swap '05 STS - V8, AWD, her DD '92 Trofeo - Fair weather DD '99 Montana - top swap 3800 '04 Sierra 2500HD - LLY Duramax
Current project: Something cool, trust me.
Upcoming projects: '92 Bonneville SSE '87 LeSabre T-type '67 LeSabre
Gone to greener pastures: '84 Sierra Classic - Twin turbo 3800 '97 LeSabre - Top swap
RIP: '86 LeSabre - pictures '93 SE - L67
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