I'm considering buying an 89 rs from a buddy of mine but it makes a horrible sound when he tries to fire it up the first time. Its a loud clicking sound or maybe even grinding? second key turn it fires up. Any thoughts? Thanks a million...


Oh and hi my name is Brian, I'm a camaroholic....

 

Everybody say hello to brian....group hug...Okay now we want everyone to know that the addiction we share is a good thing,a very positive,nice,GOOD thing...

sounds like a starter issue...I've heard them make some really nasty grinding noises.

 

After a while it'll just start to make a wheezing noise and then it'll just stop starting all together. Luckily starters are easy jobs on our cars, 2 bolts and 2 nuts. If you get a rebuilt one, get one with a lifetime warranty because it'll go south again in a few years. Ive read that you can put a smaller LT1 starter on our cars, too, and it works great but I havnt tried it myself.

 

How much does this kind of thing cost??? what about the solenoid? or the flywheel? what else could it be or are you sure?

 

More than likely, the starter is bad, and nothing else. The odds that it's the starter aren't really absolute.... probably no higher than 99.999% or so, so you really can't be completely sure

Replace the starter. It's like $30-35. Not much fun to do but not a real hassle either. The solenoid comes with the new starter, and the flex plate probably has nothing wrong with it.

 

do starters get heat soaked? put on a set of Hooker 2055's, now after engine gets hot after driving, it won't start again unless i bump the thing several times...

tested battery and alternator...both tested good...

bought a new starter jacked car up and looked at the old one ..looks like a witch to get out........especially with the headers...

got dark so i gave up.....


any suggestions....?????

also any one know off hand what size socket for the mounting bolts????

 

WishIHadAZ
When your putting the new starter on check the flywheel bolts. Very rare but sometimes they can loosen up. As the other have said its probally just the starter.

justadba
Yes the solenoid gets hot and after time it ruins the brushes in it. The starter will start ok cold, but after a drive you shut it off and run into a store etc. come out a few minutes later the car wont start. Let it sit for a little and then it will start. On my car I have the Edelbrock headers which you have to drop the y pipe to get the starter out.

 

guy that put my headers on said i MIGHT have to pull Y pipe to get it out...

Would wrapping thermo tec around the Y pipe to the junction (which would take it past the starter) help this for the new one?

I put thermo tec on the headers before they were installed....

 

Yes, also might help performance. I have read by keeping the exhaust hotter in the pipe for a longer period of time/distance will boost hp. Also by keeping engine compartment heat lower is a plus. They also make a heat shield you can put on your starter that helps shield the solenoid.

 

Could it be the starting grinding teeth on the flywheel.

 

well problem resolved....bought the starter, took it to the local high school auto tech class this morning and let one of the HS kids replace it with me 'helping' sure is NICE to have a lift.

drove it home ---- good and hot--- started right up ...


now need to wrap the Y-pipe with thermo tec and probably buy a starter blanket