Ok, I know that this might be a silly question but how hard is it to change a starter in a 78 Coupe with a 2.3L. I have heard that you actually have to lift the engine just to get to it and swap it out. Please tell me that this is not the case and that it's an easy swap.
How can I totally by-pass the celinoid and igniton switch to check if the starter is even turn over and that it's another problem I am looking for.
ANY HELP WILL BE APPRECIATED!!!!
Mark
Mark,
I haven't removed mine so I can't testify which of the following two methods might be easier but, that said, the Chilton's manual says to remove the cross member, remove the flexible coupling that attaches to the steering rack and remove the three bolts that connect the steering rack to the cross member and lower the steering rack. The Haynes manual says loosen the steering rack bolts and push it down. If you still don't have enough clearance, then remove the flexible coupler and then the tie rod balljoints will have to be disconnected.
I can type the exact text from both manuals if the above isn't clear or if somebody doesn't have an easier method.
Mark 'Almost complete 78 Bobcat Cruising Wagon' Wall
Disconnect the negative from the battery
Raise the car and place on jack stands
Pull both bolts from steering rack and lower rack
Remove bolt for starter wire
Remove bolts which hold starter to bell housing
Pull the starter out from the front of the car
Installation is the reverse of removal
I have had to replace my starter twice in the last two years and removed it for inspection a few times as well. Hope this helps!
THANKS FOR YOUR HELP. I was hoping that I would not have to do all of that but we will see.
Here is what it's doing/not doing. Now I have not put a known good battery on the car yet so it may be that the so called fully charged battery is totally dead and not giving it enough juice to even try and turn over.
Anyway, when I hit the igintion, the dome light goes dim, the brake light comes on and (if i have it on) the radio goes off. I do not hear any clicking like it's trying to start or or anything. I bought a remote start button (two leads and a push button switch), hooked one side to the + side of the battery, the other side to the cable going down to the starter and still got nothing. a friend of mine took two pieces of wire and was able to get a spark across the celinoid but a 6v battery will do that.
Any ideas are very much appreciated ;D
I know that the official way of removing the starter is to lower the steering rack, but I know an easier way that I have done (twice). Put the car well up on jack stands.Remove the long bolt that goes through the motor mount/chassis mount(on the starter side).Put a block of wood under the oil pan and jack the motor up enough for it to rise on that side. It is snug, but the starter will wiggle out of there.
I have been fooled a few times by batteries that were supposed to be good. I don't think that you can begin troubleshooting your starter problem until you know that the battery is 100%. When you get the starter out, take it to a parts store and have it tested for free, to be sure. Hope this helps.
I had mine doing that the fall before last, and it would do it intermittently. It might be your starter solenoid. It's mounted at the firewall and the positive battery cable connects to the passenger side large lug.
It looks like this:
(http://shop.oreillyauto.com/product_images/img/nie/rl55181-1.jpg)
But I'm sure you already knew what and where it is. :)
The fact that it's not even making a clicking sound and it seems like it takes a while for the radio to even come on makes me want to think its a battery problem. Today, the REAL troubleshooting begins. Since my white wagon has a GOOD battery and starter celinoid, I am going to start (I hope) there. If it starts to rain, then tomorrow I can have some fun.
I will keep you all posted and see how it goes. Again, what do you get for 150.oo nowadays. Heck, the bumpers and grill are worth that :lol:
Oh yeah, did I mention that behind the stock hub caps are a GREAT set of ralley rims :lol:
i also found out first hand last night how nasty it is to get get it lined up and all three bolts started...
I hear ya on the rain thing, it's been raining for about 5 days here and all I want to do is have a nice washed and waxed car, but nooooo....... :P
Awesome about the ralley wheels! Is the paint on them still in good shape? I'm curious as to what my wheels were SUPPOSED To look like, compared to what they do now.
Good luck with the electrical problems. I just had to figure out the problems (i created) on the maverick. It was fine until i replaced the 32 yr old parts with new. the solenoid was bad from the box then the battery would die over night ( 4 yrs old) maybe dieing battery did some test on it battery tested good. talked to several mechanics, finally the suggested test the new voltage reg. unhooked it and battery stayed up put the old (original 32 yr old) back in no problems. I guess the maverick rejected the transplants.
phil
IT'S ALIVE AFTER 5 years of sitting (or so I was told). I had to change a negitive battery cable, put a known good battery in the car and it turned over. IT"S NOT THE STARTER ;D Since I am being impaitient, I did not let the other battery charge long enough so I did not actually start the car but it turned over. I am going to let it charge for a couple of hours (depending on the weather) and see what happens.
I will keep you all posted so CROSS YOUR FINGERS AND TOES!!
Well after letting the battery charge for a while, dumping a little gas down the carb she fired up. It coughed and sputtered a little bit and fought me a little but she runs pretty good.
I just took it our for a short drive around the block. I need to get a radiator in it and get the brakes looked at and then I can DRIVE IT. It smokes pretty good because of the old gas and from sitting but she's worth the 150.oo I paid. The smoke will eventually clear . up so... It feels like the emergency brake is on or the brakes are somewhat locked but not to where the tires will not roll. Also, the pedal is tight when the car is not running but goes mushy when i start it up (bad power master cylinder ?)
I have a radiator that might work otherwise I am going to see what's in the other parts wagon. The one that I have is set up for a transmission cooler and if I can just use a small hose and connect the two parts together, it should be OK. Either way that will be cheap to replace/fix.
Awesomeness! Glad to hear your new toy runs well for how long it sat! :o