Starter Question

[Vlad2]

So I am pretty sure I need a new starter, I turn the key and sometimes it starts to start, then pauses, then starts. This is getting more frequent.

So I am in the market for a new starter. This is for a 2008 Buick Lacrosse with a 3800 Seriers 3 V-6 (133k miles, what?).

I see on amazon all these cheaper starts for 50 bucks, then I see these starters at advanced, napa, etc. and they are all 100 plus. Is this a case of you get what you pay for? or is it a case of the cheap ones are just fine?

thanks for any help with this.

Ed

Topic

[Daniel Weith]

Everyone has an opinion, but in my experience you get what you pay for when it comes to starters and alternators. If financially possible go for a new or remanufactured starter versus a rebuilt one.

A NAPA new is $154.00 – http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx/Starter-New/_/R-NNE4N5135_0478455789

They do not state if it is imported or made in North America, but it does carry a lifetime warranty to the original owner.

I once replaced an alternator with one from Trak Auto (remember them?) in my ’92 Lumina and it would die every 6-8 months, and they would replace it with another cheap alternator. After the fourth one I spent a little more for a NAPA and it lasted 4+ years until I traded it off for the next vehicle. On the plus side I got the time down to 15 minutes to change the alternator on that 3.1L engine.

You might want to carry a hammer with you until changed; if you turn the key and nothing happens, use the hammer and tap the housing and try starting again. Also, since winter is on the way have the battery load tested at the auto part store when there.

[Brian]

If the replacement fails, how easy is it to exchange? That is why I buy locally on those.

[wafrederick]

You don’t want one from AutoZone,will replace it constantly: they fail a lot

[Vlad2]

Thanks everyone, I figured that is the case. I have purchased some stuff on amazon though, same part as the stores, but 1/2 the price.

I’ll get a good one. First it needs a new exhaust, a 3800 in a buick should not sound like a race car. At least I already did the Cat and the down pipe, just need the resonator back. walker, here I come.

[none]

[quote=”Vlad2″ post=152345]So I am pretty sure I need a new starter, I turn the key and sometimes it starts to start, then pauses, then starts. This is getting more frequent.[/quote]
When the starter pauses, are you holding the key in the crank position the entire time? It’s an unusual complaint and it leaves me worried that you’re dealing with a problem farther up the circuit before the starter. I’d just want to do some basic circuit testing before you spend any money throwing parts in on a guess. Are you comfortable with a voltmeter and a wring diagram?

[Vlad2]

yea, I am comfortable with a volt meter and diagram. From research I have done, this isn’t uncommon for a 3800 in the northeast with this many miles. Where the starter is on these cars it gets covered by salt and crap and the solenoid just starts going.

I might just clean off the solenoid when I am under it this weekend and see if that does anything.

[Charles]

Is it the original battery in the car? If so, replace it at Walmart. If you replace the starter be careful, most aftermarket starters from all sources (not OEM) may not fit any heat shielding that was on the original and you need to keep the shield to protect the wires from exhaust heat.

[Vlad2]

it’s a new battery, NOT from walmart. 🙂 it did the same with the old battery and the new batter and I know the alternator is good. I have good voltage on the battery too.

[none]

Sorry Vlad, I almost forgot about you. http://www.revbase.com/BBBMotor/Wd/DownloadPdf?id=152011

[Vlad2]

that is awesome! thanks a ton.

[EricTheCarGuy]

Just for good measure I’m going to post these here.

Also this.

http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/solving-automotive-no-start-problems

Good luck and please keep us updated on your progress.

[Author]

Replies