Help! Starter eating car.

[Im_Me]

We have recently put the third new starter in my sons 1994 Cutlas Siera. The first worked for a few months.....This last one only lasted a day! We've been getting them through Advance Auto. They work at first and then turn the key and....nothing. No other indication of anything wrong until the stater just won't start the car. :shrug:

 

[Vince]

We have recently put the third new starter in my sons 1994 Cutlas Siera. The first worked for a few months.....This last one only lasted a day! We've been getting them through Advance Auto. They work at first and then turn the key and....nothing. No other indication of anything wrong until the stater just won't start the car. :shrug:

When you return the starter to Advance Auto did they run a check on it? Was it a bad starter? If so, go get parts somewhere else. NAPA.

 

[limblips]

Two things I would check. The ground between the engine block and the frame and the ground from the battery to the frame. Take them off, clean both surfaces with sandpaper/crocus cloth down to clean bare metal and reinstall. Spray with some cheap paint to protect. As above response, you may just have bad luck with parts!

 

[GWguy]

If there is an external starter solenoid, I would check that.

 

[RPMDAD]

Agree with Vince, i thought they could bench test a starter there, and confirm good or bad. Cleaning and checking the ground cables and external solenoid and connections if it is external all good ideas also.

 

[glhs837]

Ah, what sort of car are we talking about? Engine?

 

[Ken King]

Ah, what sort of car are we talking about? Engine?

OP said it was a 94 Cutlass Ciera, no mention of engine size (probably a 2.3L or 3.1). Might also be a neutral safety switch that has gone from intermittent to failed.

 

[glhs837]

Sorry, I didnt read close enough, and thats a good idea, Ken.

 

[huntr1]

Ah, what sort of car are we talking about? Engine?

From the original post: 1994 Olds Cutlass Ciera
Engine probably the 2.2L 4 banger as that is what most were sold with.

 

[Merlin99]

We have recently put the third new starter in my sons 1994 Cutlas Siera. The first worked for a few months.....This last one only lasted a day! We've been getting them through Advance Auto. They work at first and then turn the key and....nothing. No other indication of anything wrong until the stater just won't start the car. :shrug:

Do the lights dim (inside or headlights) when you turn the key? If they do the starter is likely to be the problem, if not the problem is more likely with the starter solenoid circuit.

 

[blazinlow89]

Flaky ignition switch, sticky relay?

 

[flomaster]

Any physical damage to the starter teeth where they engage the flywheel? Have pulled damaged flywheels off before.