Killed my Starter???

RedHookGal · 03-04-03, 09:58 PM

Somebody tell me if this makes any sense:

Car began to run really crappy a few days ago, and the "check engine" light popped on. So I looked around here to figure out how to retrieve the code, and on Sunday night went in and got a code 44. Read up on that, then spent some time tracing down vacuum lines, and doing other stuff that various people recommended here. Also ordered a new oxy sensor, since I figure that it has been sitting a lot in the last few years, and that knowing I have clean sensors wouldn't hurt.

Soooo, today I go in and want to clear the memory of the codes. I disconnected the negative and let it sit for about 5 minutes. Went back in, and code was cleared. But when I went to turn it over to move the car all the way back into the garage, it let out a really loud GACCCCKAAAA-GACCCCKKAAA-GACCCCKKAAA, and did not start. I shut it down, let it sit, and then hit it again; same noise. It sounds like the starter is gone.

Does this make sense? Could I have killed the starter by removing the negative battery line?

Kathy

Ken · 03-04-03, 10:06 PM

In a word Kathy, no.

Simply disconnecting the battery will not "kill" the starter. More than likely it is simply a loose connection; recheck your cables and try again.

_ken

By the way, nice avatar!

vigman · 03-04-03, 10:19 PM

I LOVE IT!

I agree with Kens assesement.. your starter is NOT dead!

So what did you use to CLEAN the terminal once you removed the Neg cable?

The GAGAGKKKKKKKKKK sound is from not enough current ( power) getting to the starter.

Describe the conditions of the metal surfaces of the Neg & Pos cables ( white powder.. green gook, RUST -O RAMA ) .. what did you do to retighten the cable and did you check BOTH?

Vig!

RedHookGal · 03-04-03, 10:28 PM

I did not touch the pos side at all, but while I had it off I hit the neg cable with a 3M green scrubbie and then reconnected. It had very little on it, just a bit of white powder came off. The battery is the kind with the bolt-in, and it has a longer bolt with a nut on it further down so that part sticks up (this is from when it was sitting). I just put it back together the way it was.

I have some dielectric grease in the shop, though I generally don't use it on batteries. On my trucks I always put those little anti-corrosion pads, and I was going to put them here, too. Today was supposed to be just a mid-day sneak away from my other job responsibilities, not a time-to-give-Kathy-a-heart-attack moment (I work on the car in my shop at work where I play with my trucks).

I suppose that I should go and check the pos lead, too?

Thanks for noticing the avatar. I miss Aeon; way too cool of a cartoon to stay on TV.

Kathy

Ken · 03-04-03, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RedHookGal
... Aeon; way too cool of a cartoon to stay on TV.

Ah! I thought she was familiar.

_ken

vigman · 03-04-03, 10:46 PM

Standing by.

Vig~

I miss Aeon too!

RedHookGal · 03-04-03, 10:48 PM

Just created a AIM account. Check your PM, Vig.

RedHookGal · 03-05-03, 02:51 AM

Update:

So, after a trip to the shop to clean and reattach, and a couple of other considerations, Vig has determined that it a starter brush has gone, and the noise is that.

Rats. But at least it is an '85, and those starters are still pretty inexpensive.

Thanks for the help guys.

Kathy

vigman · 03-05-03, 08:35 AM

LOL

Vig!

RedHookGal · 03-05-03, 09:20 AM

I got busted.

I think they got wise to me because I was carrying a creeper, a jack, and a bunch of wrenches. When they came over they were really peeved. Something to do with the car. Maybe you can tell me about it - it was white, and had this strange writing on the side: "M-a-r-s-h-a-l" and a big seven-pointed star decal. Go figger.