GM / General Motors: 94 Prizm -Bad Starter? battery?

94 Prizm -Bad Starter? battery?

Group: alt.autos.gm Date: Mon, Oct 27, 2003, 2:20am From:
com (Chops)
Problem:
Turn ignition to 'Start' (nothing happens -no sound) several times (up
to
10) before car starts normally...
Has done this more frequently as time goes by [but not always] seemingly
totally at random. Doesn't seem to matter weather engine is cold or
hot...
Also:
Not long ago, when car was started after not being used for about a
week, starter turned engine over -but it didn't fire for some time.
Details: 1994 Geo Prizm LSI (1.6L)
************Mileage: 127000
************All scheduled maintenance performed
-except for timing belt
replacement at 60000 miles...
************************Battery:
1.5 year old Excide (from Tires Plus)
************************New
[rebuilt Napa] alternator at 1.5 years ago as well. (ditto)
Any ideas on the cause appreciated...

first check your battery....i can give you 50 things why it wount start
but you need to check something .....75% of no starts are bad batterys.
Then follow the process of starter,alternator, Have you jumpped your
car?
Jump it if it stays running more than likey you battery has a bad cell
in it.......if it stalls when you take off the cables the your
alternator and battery are bad........if your alternator and battery
check out ok the test your starter ....if it dont start then let me know
........I will then be able to direct you ....
Steve C

Chops wrote in alt.autos.gm
 
hot...

Ignition switch is my guess. Sounds like the contacts inside are not making
good connection, although it might be the starter solenoid, which almost
always means getting a new starter. Check the switch first though, using a
voltmeter or light. Look for the wire going from the switch to the starter.
As far as not starting after sitting for a week, when was your last tune
up?
 
(ditto) 



--
Dick #1349
"Believe those who are seeking the truth; doubt those who find it."
Andre Gide, French author and critic (1869-1951).
Home Page: dickcr.iwarp.com
email: com

If you have a moderately dead battery, you will turn the key and hear "CLICK",
which is the starter solenoid. That would tell you that the ignition switch was
working, but the battery didn't have enough power to run the starter load.

Yours doesn't sound this way.

---Bob Gross---

Last tune up was about 30,000 miles ago...

"Dick C" <boo.com> wrote in message
news:168.3.50... 
to 
making 
starter. 
week, 

No clicks -never.

"Robertwgross" <com> wrote in message
news:news.cs.com... 
"CLICK", 
switch was 

"Chops" <com> wrote in message
news:com... 
(ditto) 

Out of curiosity, which tranny does it have? If it's the auto does it start
easier in neutral?

This was a common problem on Toyota starters. I am assuming a Prizm =
Corolla. Remove the starter, and disassemble the switch end of the
solenoid. The solenoid contacts will be eroded, and that generally is the
problem. Dealer may claim contacts are not available separately, if so, go
to a local automotive electrical rebuilder and they will have them. There
are a few different styles, so take your old ones with you. For under 10
bucks you should be back on the road. It takes longer to get the starter on
and off than it does to change the contacts. Do not under any circumstances
purchase an aftermarket rebuilt starter.

http://yotarepair.com/startercontacts.html Notice the design highly
resemebles the high torque starters being marketed for high performance
Chevy engines.

Lee Richardson

"Dick C" <boo.com> wrote in message
news:168.3.50... 
to 
making 
starter. 
week, 

Thanks for your help... Esp. about the rebuilt starter! ( Tires Plus told me
it was a new alternator -they suck! )

"Lee Richardson" <net> wrote in message
news:slurp.net... 
go 
on 
circumstances 
seemingly 
a 
belt