Starter on my 97 SC2 is going. Starts fine when cold. When hot, I can hear it trying ti engage but no dice. Let it cool a bit and after a few ignition tries, while holding the clutch in, it engages and fires right up. No slow cranking as if it were a marginal battery. (holding clutch in during this entire exercise leads me to believe it is not the clutch neutral safety switch.)

Any recommendations on replacement brands? Going reman not new. Bosch seems a little pricey. Should I just go with an AC Delco?

All the chain stores seem to sell crap that gets horrid reviews -- big farkin surprise there.

RockAuto seems to have nice stuff at reasonable prices.

Ideas? Opinions?

only 17 years and 246K........

 

I'd probably go with an AC/Delco from rockauto, derf. GM parts on a GM car is usually a safe bet. BUT, are you sure it's the starter and not just the bendix or solenoid?

 

Thanks Rube.

It could very well be either the solenoid or the bendix (my guess) but they are both integral to the starter if I remember correctly and I have never taken a starter apart and therefore have no clue how it looks and works when assembled or how it'd look when bad.

I was under the impression I'd have to replace the starter in order to fix either of those parts.

Plus it is my main ride and the starter has almost 250K on it.

Can you pls explain to me how the solenoid and bendix function to get the pinion gear into place with the flywheel to start the car? I would love to know (no sarcasm).

Thx

 

Basically, power to the solenoid energizes it and the electrical pulse triggers it to push the bendix and spin it after it engages the flywheel. Since this is your daily driver, I'd just replace the whole starter, derf. With that many miles on it, the armature probably has just about worn out, along with the brushes. Hell, the brushes are probably just about down to the wire! That's been a great starter.

 

Thanks Rube.

Pretty much what I envisioned. I could have gotten the answer off the 'net but the explanation from a 40 yr shade tree mechanical dude is always clearer.

Will order from Rock Auto today.

 

Roger that, derf. I've purchased from them before and never had any problems.