Quote:
Originally Posted by tecqboy
Sometimes a starter motor and solenoid can stop working with no warning at all; brushes or contacts just wear out. You need to check for voltage at the starter motor terminal. If your car is like my 1991, there are two heavy positive cables connected to the battery; one for the starter and another for everything else. Be sure this cable isn't corroded at the battery post. The corrosion can happen under the red insulation and isn't always visible. The starter motor terminal can also become corroded. Using a simple voltmeter can isolate your problem. Does your vehicle have an alarm system?
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If you're getting power to the starter, try placing block of wood on it, and hitting it a few times with a hammer. If it starts, as they often do, you need a new starter. (Don't hit the starter directly, because if you dent the case, you may not be able to get the core credit for it when you exchange it for a new or rebuilt one).
If you do need a starter, replacing it yourself is not an easy job. Getting to the hex-head bolt on top of the starter requires raising the car, passing a long extension through the transmission tunnel to the bolt, and using a breaker bar to break it loose.
Good luck!