HELP: Bad battery = nope, starter? how do I tell?

[Executioner]

Ask for you old parts back, I'll bet they do not use new windings(stator), and if your old parts don't include a
rotor, that mean it was not new either. So what parts are new, that only leaves a small handfull of new parts
surely not 86 dollars worth. To give you and idear of the new parts go to Pep Boys and look at there new parts
kit to bebuild a starter. All I can say is the term NEW, and FREE, get used in our group to much and mean
very differt things to very different people.
Good luck

 

[Eagle86K5]

I used to rebuild them. If you can get your hands on a ohm meter to measure resistance and continuity, and a set of brushes . It is not that hard to rebuild one, depending on how sever the damage is.
Basicly the damage from heat causes the shellac/enamal on the wires to break down and causes the windings to short. If you take one apart you will notice where the brushes ride on the stator is called the commutator ring. A series of little copper bars that run parallel to the stator.These are attached to the windings.With a ohm meter you place a probe on one of the copper strips and go to the opposite side and see if you have continuity, or as close to "0" as possible.Then holding the probe on one of them touch the other probe across all the other copper bars...it should only show a reading on one. If it does show on more then one then you have a bad stator. Do this until you have checked all the copper bars in pairs.Also, there is a small gap between the bars, sometimes the brushes will cause some of one bar to lop over onto another,the gap needs to be cleaned so none touch each other. Then take some emery cloth and clean the commutator ring till it shines. Replace the brushes. Now check and see if the bearings or bushings have any play in them.If not a bit of grease would help. Then put it together. The big thing is to check the stator thoroughly. Any questions just ask...

<font color=green>Eagle86K5

<font color=red>Only guy I know that can get out of line in a one car funeral

 

[Steve88]

Eagle. Much appreciate the offer for helping. So pressed for my daily ride though that I had to take it to the shop for the rebuild.

As for some of you guys who posted about asking for the old parts, here's my take on doing that.

Never did it - and never will ask for old parts back for any shop job. Why? Unless I'm going to sit there and watch the guy do the entire job (which I'd love to, but most don't like you to and heck I did have to go to work today), I either trust the place or I don't. Now I'm a real trusting guy at first, and since the shop that did my exhaust work right and treated me right recommended this place I'm giving them the benefit of doubt.

I've always been under the philosophy that if you ask for the old parts you're already telling the guy that you don't trust him. If he's honorable to begin with you've started out on a bad foot, and if he's not-trustworthy to begin with what makes you think he's not going to go into his scrap heap for someone elses broken parts to show you when you pick up your new part?

I just got off the phone with the guy and it's already done. Brand new brushes, solinoid, all the internals, gears, everything except for the case itself. I asked and granted it's a re-wound stator (sp?) he assures me it's of the highest quality and it's the only "rebuilt" thing in it now. Was also good to know that I already had the high-torque version. And I already had the heat sheild which I left at home (didn't want it disappearing in their shop and not getting the same one or quality one back again).

So $86 and I pick it up in a couple of hours. For 30 minutes work on my behalf of taking it off last night, and another 15 to put it back on, plus $86, I didn't do so bad.

(Course if it ends up being junk I'll be sure to tell you exactly where NOT to go for starters...)

BTW: Here's a couple of tips for anyone who hasn't removed their starter yet. (a) It's easiest to get in FRONT of your rig to remove the wires on the solinoid than it is from right under the starter. (b) Starters are heavy and it's only those 2 bolts holding it in. If it weren't for that diff-bump-stop it would have landed on my head. Only changed out a starter once before in my life, on a 78 Caddy Eldo. Once that last thread was undone it landed on my face, and I swear it was twice the weight of this Blazer starter (427-4bbl). You'd think I would have learned my lesson the first time!

<font color=red>Steve88</font color=red>

88K5 Silverado
[email protected]

 

[Blazer1970]

Steve, I'm with you on the parts return thing. When you go to pick up your truck from a tranny rebuild, and the guy shows you a worn out planetary, how would you even know if it was from your tranny anyway? It's not like they don't always have a few of those lying around. Now, on the third trip back to the same shop for the same problem, I have stood there and watched the guy do the work. I can only be pushed so far.

Tim

1970 Blazer CST 4X4 350 SM465 NP205
1987 Suburban 4X4 350
1988 Chevy Pickup 4X4 350

 

[Steve88]

I totally agree Tim. While a trusting sole I am, I only give ONE shot at treating me right. Once burnt I'm a real a__hole from that point on and yes I make it a point to watch everything first hand.

<font color=red>Steve88</font color=red>

88K5 Silverado
[email protected]

 

[Executioner]

Don't take this the wrong way............
IMHO there are three attachment places for the starter, yours is missing one.
Good luck, and I turely hope it works out for you, and I hope you have learned some FACTs about
the word NEW........

 

[Steve88]

I'm all ears and greatly appreciate your input.

but what did you mean by my starter is missing an attachment place? didn't get it...

<font color=red>Steve88</font color=red>

88K5 Silverado
[email protected]

 

[_DeeVee8_]

Go to sears and Buy the Silver series Battery--under 70 bucks! My old Silver series out lasted 7 years and that when these usually go bad anyway--it's got the sears return policy--you know-- the swap a new one no questions thanks very much!!!??!

The starter it could be, but sometimes the cables go bad that power them.. Sometimes just unbolting the power to the starter and then retightening them will crank it faster.

give it a go--or maybe upgrade to thicker newer battery cables. I have, made a helluva difference on hot days!
-Dv8

 

[Steve88]

Just a quick update.

Got the starter back last night. They did a great job on it. Looks brand new.

10 minutes to bolt up, and she started on the first "click". I'm back running! Ya-hoo!

Have a great weekend and thanks everyone for all the advise!

<font color=red>Steve88</font color=red>

88K5 Silverado
[email protected]