Junk starter, or maybe something else?

[chuey_316]

Daughter's 4.2 Envoy wouldn't start. Acted like a dead battery. Since the battery was 7-8 years old, we went ahead and replaced it, but it only went from no crank, to maybe one revolution each try.

Pulled the starter and had it tested at Autozone, and all they said is that "it sounded weak". Ordered a "tested good" replacement used starter from a mechanic shop on fleabay.

Put the replacement starter in today, and the truck started, but was cranking fairly slow. Much slower than it should, and I had the battery on the charger overnight to ensure it was fully charged.

Shut the truck off after about 30 seconds, and when I tried to start it about a minute later, I was greeted with a very slow crank, and a small amount of smoke from the starter anytime we tried to start it.

Took the starter back out, and had it tested at Oreilly this time. I went back with them, and ran the test 2 times. Both times it passed, but still sounded weak to me. The employee there even agreed that it gas giving off some smell, and even acted like it may have been slightly locking up at the beginning of the tests, but we could not verify.

My guess is the replacement starter is just too worn and weak, but before going through the hassle of exchanging this thing, is there anything else that could be causing the starter to not be able to crank the engine over with enough force to start?

 

[northcreek]

Not uncommon to get a bad starter. Was watching a program the other day and the guy had 3 bad starters that were supposed to be rebuilt .
If the truck was running okay before I would suspect the starter. Just make sure that you don't have bad connections or cables, check that ground.

 

[TJBaker57]

Just make sure that you don't have bad connections or cables, check that ground.

I second this. CLOSELY inspect that ground from battery to engine block.

I recently advised someone to check a ground (not for battery but similar) and he reported it looked OK until he removed the bolt at the engine block. At this time the terminal eye basically fell off the cable.

 

[azswiss]

In addition to the physical ground connections you need to check the cable(s). Specifically, is there any green rot visible? I see your location is SW MI so road salt is a concern.

 

[chuey_316]

It was starting fine one day, then barely cranking the next. The cables looked ok at the terminals when I had them disconnected, but I'll check again to be sure. It'll be a few days before I'm able to get back to it.

I'm still leaning towards the starter itself, since the replacement starter made a noticeable difference in the cranking speed compared to the original.

I'm returning the used starter, and bought a new one to be sure, and for peace of mind. I'll post back when I've had a chance to inspect the cables again, and install the new starter.

 

[Mooseman]

Definitely check your cables and grounds. Mine had green pus at the block.

Used starters are a roll of the dice IMHO unless you find one in a yard that was replaced just before the truck was scrapped. New are better than rebuilt. TYC have been good to me.

(Edit: posted at the same time)

 

[chuey_316]

Installed the new starter yesterday. The 1st couple attempts at cranking it over the starter engaged, but did not turn the flywheel, but I didn't have the key, and was using a jumper wire at the relay, so it may have just not been a good connection. Each attempt after that resulted in a strong crank.

 

[Mooseman]

Did you check your cables and connections? Maybe the current cleaned off the corrosion and eventually made a connection.

 

[chuey_316]

Did you check your cables and connections? Maybe the current cleaned off the corrosion and eventually made a connection.

Yes, I did. They were fairly clean already. I still would've hit them with a bit of sand paper anyway had I not forgotten it at home, but they looked decent.

 

[Mooseman]

Maybe replace the relay just in case it may have been damaged by the extra current from the defective starter, just to be on the safe side.