Car Question

[FreeflyChile 0]

Hey all,

I'm not the most mechanically inclined person, and I did a quick google search but didn't find much of use.

My girlfriend's '01 trailblazer won't start, and from what a friend of mine that knows things about cars tells me, it's the starter that isn't working (when you turn the key it doesnt turn over - nothing happens but all the lights, radio, etc work without a problem). The battery is fairly new so I don't think that's the problem.

Luckily, sharing the same alley where the car sits in our garage is a garage that fixes cars. I am about to go over there and ask them to fix it but i wanted to know if anyone could give me a ballpark figure of what to expect. From what i saw the parts cost 80-100 bucks, so what is reasonable in terms of labor?

Thanks in advance!

[DeNReN 0]

Most shops charge .3 to .5 for a basic will not turn over diagnoses.

I don't have a labour manual in front of me but to re and re a starter on a 01 trailblazer should be about .8 to 1.0

[AggieDave 6]

Firstly, check the easiest thing to check. Take the battery out and run it down to your local parts store. They'll check it for free. Its probably not the battery, but its quick and easy to check.

It sounds like the starter silenoid. They are built into the starters these days and are replaced as a unit. Get under the SUV and look up on either side of the transmission. I don't know what side its on on your vehicle. It should have a plug with a couple of wires in it. First, check to make sure that plug wasn't damaged and the wires are connected. 2 or 3 bolts should drop the unit. Some autoparts stores have the machine to test the starter (its called a battery :P). Its an easy swap and costs around $100 plus your time.

Basically if its the starter when you turn the car over you won't hear anything. If its the battery you'll hear a faint click as the starter teeth hit the flywheel teeth but it doesn't have enough power to turn the flywheel over.

EDIT: Its an easy swap if you're mechanically inclined and know how to work on cars or at least other machinery.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[beowulf 1]

I recommend that if you follow AggieDaves instructions you puchase a book for your car when you take the battery in. The book will have instructions for taking your starter out. That way you won't have to guess at where the starter is located.

[davelepka 4]

When you turn the key, do you hear a clicking noise? The starter has a solenoid or relay that transmits the high voltage power to the starter itself, turning the key simply activates this solenoid/relay. If you don't hear this clicking, there's a good chance that the solenoid/relay has failed.

The part should be less than the starter, but I have no idea about the labor.

[mnealtx 0]

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I recommend that if you follow AggieDaves instructions you puchase a book for your car when you take the battery in. The book will have instructions for taking your starter out. That way you won't have to guess at where the starter is located.

+1

A Chilton or Haynes manual for your vehicle is good to have, regardless.

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[FreeflyChile 0]

Quote

When you turn the key, do you hear a clicking noise? The starter has a solenoid or relay that transmits the high voltage power to the starter itself, turning the key simply activates this solenoid/relay. If you don't hear this clicking, there's a good chance that the solenoid/relay has failed.

The part should be less than the starter, but I have no idea about the labor.

Thanks for all the advice. There is no noise, which is why my friend told me he thinks its the starter.


Getting a book on the car is a good idea...I will definitely look into that.

[airtwardo 7]

Thanks for all the advice. There is no noise, which is why my friend told me he thinks its the starter.

Quote

Turn the stereo down?

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[FreeflyChile 0]

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Thanks for all the advice. There is no noise, which is why my friend told me he thinks its the starter.

Quote

Turn the stereo down?

Blasphemy!

[eeneR 3]

Something real simple...

Make sure the vehicle is actually in Park and not in gear. I had that happen to me once...took me 20 min to realize what it was.

She is not a "Dumb Blonde" - She is a "Light-Haired Detour Off The Information Superhighway."
eeneR
TF#72, FB#4130, Incauto

[bluepill 0]

Sounds like the bushes on the starter motor have jammed.

You can replace it and will probably need to if it keeps sticking.

In the meantime try one of the following:

Put the car in gear and turn the ignition on. Rock the car back and forth while in gear if you can. (not sure you can do this on an automatic)

Or find the starter motor and give it a few taps with a small hammer.

It may take a few attempts but both methods should free up the bushes and your good to go.

BP

[Andy9o8 2]

Sounds to me like it's gremlins. Have you consulted an exorcist?

[beowulf 1]

Or pray over the vehicle with a copy of KJV Bible in your left hand and your right hand over your heart. This usually works and if it doesn't then your car should be condemned as an evil spirit from satan himself and crushed at the local junk yard.

[normiss 891]

I gotta know where you get your parts!
The last GM starter I replaced (89 pick up) was $299 from the stealership the best ones elsewhere were $220 - $250

I took the NAPA starter for $230.

[Zep 0]

Check the earthing strap from the chassis to the motor.

Gone fishing

[AggieDave 6]

Junkyarding a lot of the time. A battery will test a used unit well.

For *MY* project car a new starter is just over $100. I never replaced the starter in the truck I used to have, so I never bought a "new" starter for a "new" car/truck. Although I did help change a few in various trucks. Same with fuel pumps...well, a lot of shade treeing going on.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[normiss 891]

I still remember being able to buy a bedix kit...just replace the parts! How often could the windings actually fail anyway???

[AggieDave 6]

Its usually the bushings or the solenoid. Then again, its all one piece units now. There were even some reports that some less that truthful companies were rebuilding starters and alternators by un-sticking the bushings and giving the units a good cleaning so it looks good.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[MakeItHappen 15]

Quote

Hey all,

I'm not the most mechanically inclined person, and I did a quick google search but didn't find much of use.

My girlfriend's '01 trailblazer won't start, and from what a friend of mine that knows things about cars tells me, it's the starter that isn't working (when you turn the key it doesnt turn over - nothing happens but all the lights, radio, etc work without a problem). The battery is fairly new so I don't think that's the problem.

Luckily, sharing the same alley where the car sits in our garage is a garage that fixes cars. I am about to go over there and ask them to fix it but i wanted to know if anyone could give me a ballpark figure of what to expect. From what i saw the parts cost 80-100 bucks, so what is reasonable in terms of labor?

Thanks in advance!

Could also be a relay switch that is sticking.

Besides testing the battery you can also remove the starter and have that tested at the local auto parts store (usually for free)
Removing/replacing a starter is pretty simple.
Your scenario does not seem to be a battery problem.

I had a truck that had a relay that was stuck. I called the local auto mall for the brand truck and the mechanic said to tap the relay during crank with the handle of a screwdriver. It had to be a rather sharp tap, but not so hard to crack the plastic casing of the relay.
Turned out to be the relay not the starter. But I did have the starter tested before I asked a mechanic about 'what else could be causing this problem.'

Removing/replacing a relay is about as easy as changing a fuse - at least in my truck.

YMMV.

.

.
Make It Happen
Parachute History
DiveMaker

[LaRusic 0]

the only way that the windings may go is if the coating on the wire making up the windings melt or get peeled away and creates a short....highly unlikely.
in the starters ive rebuilt, 9 times outa 10 its the solinoid or brushes getting jammed or wore out that needs to be replaced

The Altitude above you, the runway behind you, and the fuel not in the plane are totally worthless
Dudeist Skydiver # 10