I have owned my 91 Z-28 for 3 years, and has had a starter problem ever since I owned it. The previous owner had some problems with it. I installed a GM codereader under the dash. (it looked kind of like a game cartridge) It came up with code 46, which says it has to be one of two thngs. Vehicle anti-theft system (VATS) failure or Power steering pressure switch failure. I love my car, and I would like to drive it without worrying about another tow bill. ( I have installed 5 NEW starters ) I would appreciate any help you can give me, thank you

yellowZ-28ragtop

 

so you had 5 starters go bad? did they lock up or burn out? I know a bit about the gm starters, I've never bought one, just built them out of junk parts....

 

So what's the question (for the stupid peoplez who read this, like me )

 

Ive lost several starters. I do not believ it is the vats. The thing that kills most starters is the heat by the placement of the Y pipe. If you buy a new starter put heat shield around it when you FIRST install it. The heat shield is a thermo blanket that shield the starter and the solenoid. While down there remove the starter wire from the battery. It seems hard but only takes about ten minutes with someone helping remove the right wire. I replaced mine with 2 gauge cable opposed to 6. The most important thing to remember is keep this wire off any hot items like the exhaust manifold. I used this advice and for a month not once has it had a problem. It used to starnd me at night daytime after a forty minute drive or a five. This should help a lot and is cheap. It is a pain to change the motors but it is easier to assemble the pieces solenoid and motor) in the car not drop the Y-pipe.
JMFNX@AOL.COM
1989GTA

 

It is correct to say that heat can break a starter motor.I would recommend a remote solenoid kit which would help a lot.Also is the starter motor shimmed properly?GM starter motors have very a wide manufacturing tolerance and every motor, when fitted absolutely must be checked for clearance.When I first had my car it wrecked the starter because it wasn't correctly shimmed(It was also some **** foreign rubbish which wasn't very strong).The one I replaced it with was from,I think,a '70s Chevy Caprice or something.If you've gone through 5 starter motors, then somethings badly wrong.