86maroresto

So after i did the tranny swap, i realized that the oil pan gasket was bad. Lifted the engine again, got the pan off, replaced the gasket. Replaced the rear trans seal and the rear differential seal. Put it all back together and all i get is a little clicking noise.

What I saw when someone went to start it was the starter coming out and hiting the flywheel and then everything goes dark. I replaced the battery, cleaned the connections and checked the voltage everywhere. The voltage seems to drop in the car after i try to start it and then takes a few minutes to go back up to 12 v meanwhile it is 12v at the battery the whole time.

I knew it worked after the swap bc it ran until i redid the seals. I dont know what the hell it is. I think i might check the connections that go to the starter and maybe those got crimped or loose or something when i dropped it to get the pan out? I dont know. That is the only electrical thing that i touched during the whole process besides removing the distributor. Im stuck and any info is appreciated. Thanks!

Vader

Got ground?

86maroresto

it's connected to the block...i didnt touch it but the wire may have been crimped when i raised and lowered the engine...i might just replace both battery wires

chas0218

What about the wire running from the harness to the starter is that in good working condition no frays/burn holes? I was thinking the clicking your hearing is the relay from the starter wire being ground out.

86maroresto

Are you talking about the relay from the starter to the ignition, those wires? They probably need to be replaced. I will check the continuity when i get back home next week.

Quick_Trans_Am

iTrader: (2)

If I'm reading this correctly, the starter comes out, engages the flywheel, and stops. If your grounds are good, and cables are good, then that tells me you may have an incorrect shim depth, causing the starter to bind against the ring gear on the flywheel. Check your shims, and if they are the proper depth for you, I would run that starter up to your local AutoZone or similar parts store with testing capabilities and have it tested.

86maroresto

i think i am going to replace the wires to the battery first. But would the flywheel not lining up with the starter cause the power to short out temperairily in the rest of the car?

Also about the shims, when i dropped the starter down to do the gasket it was not easy getting it back into the bellhousing since it is the one for the auto transmission so i grinded it down a little bit to get it to fit in better. So i am assuming that since it is bolted up to the block that it is in straight?

Quick_Trans_Am

iTrader: (2)

Unless you have an exposed cable somewhere that can short to ground, the only thing that would cause what you describe is a loose battery cable, or very weak battery.

Straight, yes. Proper depth? Probably not, unless it was at correct depth without shims.

But, now that I'm a little more clear on your issue, I'm thinking your battery cable connection at the starter solenoid is either loose or corroded, preventing good contact. Check those out first.

86maroresto

will do..Thanks..ill post something when if find anything next week when i get home.

86maroresto

ok so when i got home i checked the continuity on all the wires coming off the starter and the ground wire and everything was good, full connection, full power with the battery connected.

So today I pulled the starter out and had it tested and it passed with flying colors, it flew out and spun real fast. So then i thought i would try it out of the bellhousing to see it would spin. I hooked it all up and grounded the starter and it worked!

So i figured out it is just hitting the flywheel and kicking out the power. So i tried grinding the starter wall down and putting it back in and it kicked out again. I think im gonna try shims and if that doesnt work then im gonna get a Powermaster starter that has no piece that has to fit in the bellhousing b/c thats the part thats doing it.

Any other suggestions/comments?
Thanks!