click, click boom

[derK]

today i was fixing some terminals for my battery, and as soon as i go ahead and connect the contacts i just get huge amounts of sparking at the terminals. I quickly clamp it down and go to start my car. all i get is a single click and that's all.

So i bump start it, but that doesn't work. So i bump start it again, but after i release the clutch, i IMMEDIATELY clutch back in and start the car with the key. It works. So i drove it home and tried to start it again with the key. All i get is the single click.

So is it possible that i fried my starter with all that arching with my battery and wires, or did i really mess up an electrical unit??? all fuses are fine BTW.

Derek

 

[Satan]

Sounds like the battery, or cable.... Not the starter (but could be).

Before you go driving yourself (and everyone else) nuts, got got a $5 replacement cable from any auto parts store (take the battery and have them check it, while you're there). The cable I had was all corroded on the inside and would not let enuff power get to the starter.

I had the Sup towed, then ended up spending 4 hours replacing the starter on my 87T, just to find that it was the cable all along.... Only took me 8 minutes to replace the cable... start with the cheapest part 1st... I learned this one the hard way. Good luck!

Oh, if the battery checks out okay and the cable is good (and you've replaced it, etc), make sure you get the 89+ replacement starter... It's already threaded, so that you do not have to use a nut on the other side of the bolt.

There's a starter "brushes/contact replacement" guide out there somewhere, but I never done it.

E

 

[Nick M]

Arcing is from a live circuit, and how much current is flowing. Your starter contracts sound worn, or short with the arcing.