To preface my question and request, let me say I have done my homework (search through past posts as well as the web) to try to find the answer I am looking for. I have 96 SE7 with about 134k on it and have deduced that my starter is going bad. I say this because with the engine cool it starts fairly easily, but after I drive it for a while and then kill it the next start will take about 2 to 3 revs then kick over. Finally, if I kill it once or twice more and restart it, it won't click, rev or even attempt to turn over; litterally nothing but my accessories on. So with this I am confindent (unless told otherwise) I need a new starter, but I can't for the life of me find a solid how-to on the net. I don't think I need to getmechanic to do it (unless you guys think I have to) It doesn't seem to hard and I am fairly handy. I would love a quick how to or pics just so that I don't shock myself or ruin a newly purchased starter.

Thanks

 

you have hot spots in your starter, you can rebuild it yourself and save the 100+ bucks on something else

 

The idea of saving the money does sound good but the problem is if I do indeed have hot spots what does that mean and how do I fix that? Is rebuilding something I can do myself? Also, how long do you suppose I can keep driving like this before the starter dies on me entirely and I get stranded?

 

hot spots mean wear on the copper contacts in the starter, every-time you turn off your car will be a crap shoot on where the starter has stopped... if it stopped on a hot spot, it may take a jump to arc over the damaged part of the starter.

you can fix this by removing the starter, disassembling it, and cleaning the black spots on the contacts with electrical parts cleaner and a good scrubbing

as for how long it may last, eventually the arcing will cause even more buildup and make the hot spots even larger making it an absolute pain in the ***. this could be a short time or you might get lucky and have it last for months, either way... its a good time to think about either replacing it, or rebuilding the starter yourself

rebuilding it consists of nothing more than taking it apart, remembering where the pieces and contacts go, cleaning all of the contacts, then putting it back together

the trick is to make sure that copper is completely clean when you put it back together

the starter will be the last of your worries after doing this

 

Thanks for the deeper insight. I am going to try and tackle that this coming weekend. Now I can spend that money on a set of Hella headlamps instead! Also, its good to see a D1 with 162k+ miles on it. It encourages me to stick with my baby and as long as I get all this matinence up to date she will last me a bit longer.

 

Afteryou clean the commutator (copper contacts) blow everything off with compressed air to make sure you don't have short between the contacts on the commutator. Also it's a good idea to buy a new set of brushes (black carbon part that touches the contacts) as most likely they will be worn, and possibly new springs for the brushes. I've rebuilt many of my alternators the same way and all it cost me was $8 for brushes from my local starter/alt rebuild shop. I've not had to rebuild a starter for a very long time. Look for a starter rebuild shop in your area to buy the brushes from. I'm not sure if the dealer will sell these?

 

So would it be safe to assume if I were to start this project in the morning I would be able to finish mid afternoon? Also, are there any special instructions I need to take the starter off or is it just unbolt and unplug? If this doesn't fix it is this the last resort before needing to buy a new starter?