Starter

-

Kerosene

New Member
Joined
Jul 22, 2017
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Location
Charlotte,NC
I am pretty sure I need a new starter. I am hoping someone could verify my diagnosis before I spend my funds on parts. I am kind of new to older cars, I am used to the computer telling me what to replace.

My 66 Dart 225 sat for 15 years before I bought it and I've recently started working on it. It's been starting fine, but the starter seemed noisy. Then sudden nothing but a click. The battery is new and just came off the charger. When I arch the terminals on the starter with a screwdriver I get a click but no spin. Should I replace the entire starter, or can I cheap out on a smaller piece of the starter?
 
One thing I learned a long time ago is that the most expensive thing we can do is try to cheap out and save money when it comes to this hobby. Smack that starter a couple times with a hammer and then try it again. If it cranks it's probably time to replace the antique starter with a mini. If it doesn't crank after smacking it with a hammer, replace it anyways. But, I'll bet it's your starter anyways.
 
Check the battery cable to ground, the power cable to starter and ground cable from frame to engine block. They may look good but do a voltage drop check and clean the connections. Simple and cheap first.
 
Second on the mini starter. Your life will be much easier if you switch out to one of those. Just tell the parts jockey it's for a 91 Dodge 1500 with a 5.2L. Just about any Mopar mini starter from the V6s or V8s through the early 2000s will work, but that's an easy enough vehicle for faking the part you need. They're also pretty common in junkyards if you want a cheap option. Just look up a picture of the starter before you head over so you know what to look for. It'll bolt right up without any mods.
 
Have met a couple of newer Mopar guy's ( younger ) who have not heard what a normal Chrysler starter sounds like. Hey, my starter is making a weird noise! no, that's what a stock starter sounds like. I do agree though, if changing starters, update to a newer one.
 
Get a multimeter (free w/ coupon at Harbor Freight). Measure from the starter's case to its big stud while trying to crank. If <8 V, don't blame the starter. Test more to find the voltage drop, which could be from the case to BATT- (ground return). If >8 V, the starter is at fault, assuming the engine turns over by hand (tug on fan belt). Often the problem is that the copper contacts are pitted. One is the flat spot on the other side of the big stud. You can take it apart to see. You might put a washer behind it to get some more year's life. But, if you hit the junkyard on half-off day, you can probably find a newish one from a V-8 Magnum truck (until ~2001) for $10, and don't forget the RAM Vans.
 
Go to the part store and buy a remand' OEM type starter. It wont break the bank. Yes that goes against the grain of all those posts above. If you think you want or need a nepondenso high torque mini starter, OK then. Ask the part store what that fecker reman'd would cost. That's why those above are sending you to the junkyard. A lot of those modern little starters have a sticker on them that says "Do not strike with hammer" ( My Camry is one example ). Can you read "I'm a fragile lil' twat" into that?
 
It costs nothing but a little time to check the battery connections at both ends of the cables. Take them apart, clean, and reinstall.

If no go then.....It is soooo easy to reach in there and unbolt it. Then you could take it to a big box auto parts store and have them check it for free if you're not up to it.

The old Mopar starter has the classic sound and I thought I would miss it, but I put a mini on my /6 when my barn find showed up with a bad one. Smaller, saves weight, and i believe it spins faster. A friend of mine recently bought a 73 Charger with a 400. He called and I diagnosed it over the phone and told him to replace it with a mini. He's happy.
 
It costs nothing but a little time to check the battery connections at both ends of the cables. Take them apart, clean, and reinstall.

If no go then.....It is soooo easy to reach in there and unbolt it. Then you could take it to a big box auto parts store and have them check it for free if you're not up to it.

The old Mopar starter has the classic sound and I thought I would miss it, but I put a mini on my /6 when my barn find showed up with a bad one. Smaller, saves weight, and i believe it spins faster. A friend of mine recently bought a 73 Charger with a 400. He called and I diagnosed it over the phone and told him to replace it with a mini. He's happy.

I took a starter in one day just because it was recent (on my Nissan) and under warrantee and the guy dropped it on the concrete floor on his way to the test machine.
What do you know, it tested good.:D
I laughed and said "Uh, yea because you dropped it".
He looked at me like I was crazy or something.
 
I like the original-type starters, myself. They're bigger and heavier and not as fast-cranking as the mini starters…but the mini starters jest don't sound right. If I wanted my car to sound like a Toyota when I'm starting it…

…I would've bought a Toyota.

("Reman" = junk; brand new Chrysler starters are floor-to-ceiling on the shelf at Old Car Parts Northwest)
 
I am pretty sure I need a new starter. I am hoping someone could verify my diagnosis before I spend my funds on parts. I am kind of new to older cars, I am used to the computer telling me what to replace.

My 66 Dart 225 sat for 15 years before I bought it and I've recently started working on it. It's been starting fine, but the starter seemed noisy. Then sudden nothing but a click. The battery is new and just came off the charger. When I arch the terminals on the starter with a screwdriver I get a click but no spin. Should I replace the entire starter, or can I cheap out on a smaller piece of the starter?
You might get by with replacing the solenoid.. the one on top of the starter not on the firewall. But with the age of the car, you can be sure that the grease inside long ago dried up and so the bushings for the shafts can well be all shot, gears a bit chewed, etc. I would disassemble it, and inspect it, and see the interior condition and go from there.

Old Car Parts NW is a good source for NOS stuff. I got my oddball '62 Dart motor mounts there. Sometimes the response is a bit slooow....
 
There's a variety of different mini starters, all factory items from various later-model vehicles, that will work on the Slant-6. Which to pick depends on how small and strong you want your starter to be.
 
Thanks guys. Ive got a multimeter, I'll check the voltage at the starter, but I am fairly certain I am good on the electrical side. But I will double check everything.
We got our yearly snow storm in SC and I work out of a carport, so if it thaws I will try this on Saturday.
 
I rebuild mopar starters and can assure you that they are not like another. Soldering and un-soldering are part of the drill even if you just want to replace the solenoid. Unless you are prepared to go all the way, don't get started.Get yourself a rebuilt. A good rebuild costs more than the local parts store.
 
-
Back
Top