How should I solve this starter problem

[PhotonFanatic]

Got an 87 truck with TBI 350. My starter has been giving me grief. Recently the started died, and the new replacement seems sluggish. Sometimes it won't muster the power to start the truck, it just does that slow turn-over thing. The one where it sounds like the battery is low. But I checked all the connections. They seem ok. It didn't look like anything needs improvement.

So I figured I'd give it the old starter tap. I tapped on the side of the starter with a piece of metal, and suddenly the behavior changed. The truck started right up. But this starter is new. I thought that only happened with old, dying starters. Didn't know new starters would need the tap trick used on them.

Not sure what I should do. Replace this new starter maybe? Is there a starter that's known to be of higher quality? Thanks!

 

[rusted nuts]

Could very well be a bad ground by the sounds of that, If it is still working ok I would run it for a week or so,, You may of just fixed something with the hammer also.

 

[fast 99]

New starter or reman? We quit using new alt and starters, too many issues, only reman now.

 

[PhotonFanatic]

New starter or reman? We quit using new alt and starters, too many issues, only reman now.

It is a new AcDelco starter. I've heard parts quality has been suffering lately, but I had already bought the starter and just had it sitting on the shelf.

There's a place in my town that rebuilds starters and alternators. Maybe I should take it to them? It would be nice to avoid paying the $45 though.

 

[Randy and Easton]

@PhotonFanatic and @rusted nuts < we are having that same issue on and off at this time. I realized we did not have a good ground engine to frame and picked one up yesterday hope to get it on this weekend. It sounds exactly like your situation and Easton just put a new (guess its reman) starter on it I would say 6-8 months ago.

Ill drop a note back after new ground is on and see if that’s it.

Randy and Easton

 

[rusted nuts]

@PhotonFanatic and @rusted nuts < we are having that same issue on and off at this time. I realized we did not have a good ground engine to frame and picked one up yesterday hope to get it on this weekend. It sounds exactly like your situation and Easton just put a new (guess its reman) starter on it I would say 6-8 months ago.

Ill drop a note back after new ground is on and see if that’s it.

Randy and Easton

@PhotonFanatic and @rusted nuts < we are having that same issue on and off at this time. I realized we did not have a good ground engine to frame and picked one up yesterday hope to get it on this weekend. It sounds exactly like your situation and Easton just put a new (guess its reman) starter on it I would say 6-8 months ago.

Ill drop a note back after new ground is on and see if that’s it.

Randy and Easton

OH,, To be young again. lol.

 

[PhotonFanatic]

Could very well be a bad ground by the sounds of that, If it is still working ok I would run it for a week or so,, You may of just fixed something with the hammer also.

Was thinking about this post - What exactly did you mean when you said "You may have fixed something"?

I was always under the impression that tapping it was a temporary solution.

 

[9999]

OH,, To be young again. lol.

I wish I was young enough to use the creeper as a phone holder and not a creeper! I swear crawling around under the truck for awhile, makes me feel it in the morning.

 

[Snoots]

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[rusted nuts]

Was thinking about this post - What exactly did you mean when you said "You may have fixed something"?

I was always under the impression that tapping it was a temporary solution.

Something may have been Jamed on new started,, You may of knocked it loose.

 

[PhotonFanatic]

I'll just start adding ground wires to alternator and starter and see what happens.

 

[Turbo4whl]

I wish I was young enough to use the creeper as a phone holder and not a creeper! I swear crawling around under the truck for awhile, makes me feel it in the morning.

I'll second this...

 

[Rusty Nail]

I have always been quick to replace the battery cables, they probably don't flow too well after say, 35 or 45 years, don'tcha reckon?

 

[SirRobyn0]

Knocking on a starter never fixes anything, with an old unit it might get you another few starts, but something is not right. It's good you went for the ACDelco new unit, but just because you bought a quality new part, don't assume it has to be good, even the best parts manufactures have the occasional defect.

You can check the resistance of each cable, and / or perform voltage drop tests to see what the condition of a cable is, but I would tend to agree with @Rusty Nail replacing 40 something year old cables is not a bad idea. Some might even say it's cheap insurance against a future issue. It's super easy on your trucks anyway and would be a great time to switch to a top post battery if that is your thing.

 

[PhotonFanatic]

I have always been quick to replace the battery cables, they probably don't flow too well after say, 35 or 45 years, don'tcha reckon?

Yeah already replaced the negative battery cable for this reason. About 2 years ago. It was completely corroded inside. Now the problem appears again.