my 1989 iroc does not always start but the selnoid opens and closes but the starter does not turn over and i have already replaced the starter with one that works better any ideas guys? other than mw66nova.

 

does it make any noises or anything other than the solinoid click?

 

If the solenoid is clicking but not starting the car, there are two possibilities:
1) the contact plate in the solenoid is burned up badly, preventing current flow to the starter motor
2) the solenoid doesn't force the bendix all the way into the flywheel teeth, thus not making contact on the contact plate and not sending current to the starter

If you keep trying to start (turning the key forward) several times in a row, does the starter eventually turn over?

Lou

 

...yes...

 

Welcome to the club of no-starts, then.
I have the exact same problem. I replaced the solenoid and rebuilt the starter but the problem persists. I'm told it's mechanical and the starter needs to be shimmed.
However, I am mainly an electrical guy, I have never shimmed a starter and am not 100% sure how to do it right.

Hold on, you said you replaced the starter. Did it come with a new solenoid too? Also, was it a used starter from Mexiko painted and sold by AutoZone as new?

Hopefully somebody will chime in here soon.
Lou

 

no its out of a 1989 rs

 

I had the same problem, changed my ignition switch and my ignition lock cylinder the problem got better, change my startar again and the problem went away..

 

will try to explain quickley how to shim a starter. loosen starter bolts but leave the long side in. the shim(s) will slide into the space between the starter and the block. you dont ave to remove the starter todo this but still a good idea to kill the battery. listening to the starter after will give you the idea of ow many you need. big growl too tight, tinny too loose, miss and a big zing way too loose. another thing you can try is open the selanoid and turn the brass pin that the pos cable goes to 180deg. this can be done by removing the 2 5/16? nuts on the back of the selenoid, open turn and try that.
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lou thanks for your help as soon as i looked at it more closley say exactly what you were trying to explain. work nights myself and will try in am thanks again for your help.

 

Starter shimming: my starter sounds perfectly healthy, no grinding, no tin sound, just like any other car. It's just the engagement that's not perfect. I might need to tweak the bendix a little, probably file down the gear rear egdes a little more to help it engage better.

Btw, some starter solenoids are sealed, not serviceable. In case you want to replace it, it's good to buy one that can be disassembled and cleaned and serviced.

Lou

 

thanks guys