Replacing the starter?

[xc_SS/RS]

Is there a DIY or how to on replacing the starter? Getting some really hard starts on my car and its either the battery or starter. I'm going to check the battery to see if that's the issue first and if not I think I'll replace the starter.

[StunnaTek]

What kind of issues are you having exactly?

[xc_SS/RS]

Originally Posted by StunnaTek

What kind of issues are you having exactly?

Mostly it sounds like the engine has a hard time to turn over. In the mornings and when its been warmed up. On the starts where it sounds like it really struggles the center screen reads "service stability track". No idea if this is a battery issue or a starter issue. I've read some people have had the slow starts and replaced the battery and it didn't help, they replaced the starter and it fixed the problem. This battery is nearly 3 years old so it may be getting to the point of needing to be replaced.

Then on some starts the stupid bonging noise will keep going even after the car is started, seat belt is on, brake off, and moving. That one I have no clue about.

[GVA 45TH 2SS]

Originally Posted by xc_SS/RS

Then on some starts the stupid bonging noise will keep going even after the car is started, seat belt is on, brake off, and moving. That one I have no clue about.

Next time that happens look up by the rear view mirror and see if the passenger seatbelt indicator is blinking.
could be the occupancy sensor flaking out, unless you have something on the front seat.

for the battery.. I would remove it and have it tested, then go from there.

[gofastwclass]

Originally Posted by GVA 45TH 2SS

Next time that happens look up by the rear view mirror and see if the passenger seatbelt indicator is blinking.
could be the occupancy sensor flaking out, unless you have something on the front seat.

for the battery.. I would remove it and have it tested, then go from there.

I agree. Take the car to an auto parts store that can load test the battery.

Unless your car was used to deliver pizzas, being a 2010 I doubt the starter is bad.

[Spartan01]

Yeah, just had this issue, and we are pretty close geographically so weather issues are the same.

I had my battery tested, it needed to be replaced. Ok, that heavy sucker runs at about $180!

I also bought a Float Charger, the Battery Tender Jr. for about $30 at Walmart.

No issues since then.

[xc_SS/RS]

Originally Posted by Spartan01

Yeah, just had this issue, and we are pretty close geographically so weather issues are the same.

I had my battery tested, it needed to be replaced. Ok, that heavy sucker runs at about $180!

I also bought a Float Charger, the Battery Tender Jr. for about $30 at Walmart.

No issues since then.

Yeah I know the weather will play a role in making it slower to start. Going to get it tested today, hopefully advanced auto had a portable testing thing. Really hoping it isn't the starter. Had a look at where it is and the frame is kind of in the way lol

[xc_SS/RS]

Battery is fine. Moving on to starter connections and if those are good I guess its the starter.

[376LS3]

Who tested the battery? I literally went through this exact setup. My car cold started just fine, but any start after that, it would barely turn over. I thought it was either the starter or my engine was expanding too much, (just had it built) I was looking into high torque starters and all that. I took the battery in and they said it came in at 88%. I thought that was good. He said there is a dead cell in it. Bought a new battery, been fine since.

[xc_SS/RS]

Originally Posted by 376LS3

Who tested the battery? I literally went through this exact setup. My car cold started just fine, but any start after that, it would barely turn over. I thought it was either the starter or my engine was expanding too much, (just had it built) I was looking into high torque starters and all that. I took the battery in and they said it came in at 88%. I thought that was good. He said there is a dead cell in it. Bought a new battery, been fine since.

I watched the guy test the battery but maybe I'll get a second shop to check it for me. The guy who did it at advanced auto did it kind of quickly.

Funny thing too after testing it the car didn't turn over first try, then turned over after I took the key out then tried again.

[Low Saturn]

Originally Posted by xc_SS/RS

Is there a DIY or how to on replacing the starter? Getting some really hard starts on my car and its either the battery or starter. I'm going to check the battery to see if that's the issue first and if not I think I'll replace the starter.

Just went through this with my 2011 SS. Battery tested fine. Even swapped it with a known good battery for a while. Symptoms didn't change. It started OK (or so I thought) when cool, had a hard time after driving a while and the starter got warm/hot. Swapped the starter today and its a day and night difference. Even at a cold start.

1. Lift and securely support the front of the car or drive it up on ramps.
2. Disconnect negative battery cable.
3. Remove the three starter heat shield bolts. (8mm)
4. Remove the heat shield.
5. Unbolt the two starter mounting bolts (13mm) but do not try to remove the starter yet.
6. Rotate the starter to get easier access to the back.
7. Disconnect the electrical connector at the top/back of the starter.
8. Remove the (13mm) nut securing the positive power cable to the starter.
9. Remove the starter.
10. Install in reverse order. I waited to install the heat shield until I tried starting the car in case I did something wrong. Once I verified the car started, I installed the heat shield.

I was going to take pictures and document the whole thing, but I was having a difficult time. Not because of the difficulty of the job, it was actually really easy. I have four hernias that I'm having surgery to repair in a couple weeks, and I was in a lot of discomfort working on the car. So I decided against taking pictures and just get the job done. At least I had my 12 year old son to help. He took care of the heat shield and handed me tools as I needed them.

Here's a video of the car starting with the new starter.
http://youtu.be/tzc1JYx4LHE

BTW, I found a new OEM starter on Amazon for $93.48 with Prime shipping.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[TripleB]

Mine started doing this yesterday. Thinking it's the battery as well. I've got a 2010. Hoping is the battery because I just passed my 5 year 100,000 mile warranty expiration date 1/9/15. Would hate for it to be something else that could've been covered by the warranty.

[TripleB]

So I got the Service Stabilitrak error yesterday when I started it. This morning it was "2 keys programmed" on the DIC. Still seems like it's taking a lot of effort to turn over the engine. Cranks a bit longer than normal. Since I'm on graveyards I won't be able to take it in until tomorrow afternoon. Gonna take the battery to a Pep Boys or Auto Zone and if it's not that, Tuesday first thing I'll take the car to the dealer.

[xc_SS/RS]

Originally Posted by Low Saturn

Just went through this with my 2011 SS. Battery tested fine. Even swapped it with a known good battery for a while. Symptoms didn't change. It started OK (or so I thought) when cool, had a hard time after driving a while and the starter got warm/hot. Swapped the starter today and its a day and night difference. Even at a cold start.

1. Lift and securely support the front of the car or drive it up on ramps.
2. Disconnect negative battery cable.
3. Remove the three starter heat shield bolts. (8mm)
4. Remove the heat shield.
5. Unbolt the two starter mounting bolts (13mm) but do not try to remove the starter yet.
6. Rotate the starter to get easier access to the back.
7. Disconnect the electrical connector at the top/back of the starter.
8. Remove the (13mm) nut securing the positive power cable to the starter.
9. Remove the starter.
10. Install in reverse order. I waited to install the heat shield until I tried starting the car in case I did something wrong. Once I verified the car started, I installed the heat shield.

I was going to take pictures and document the whole thing, but I was having a difficult time. Not because of the difficulty of the job, it was actually really easy. I have four hernias that I'm having surgery to repair in a couple weeks, and I was in a lot of discomfort working on the car. So I decided against taking pictures and just get the job done. At least I had my 12 year old son to help. He took care of the heat shield and handed me tools as I needed them.

Here's a video of the car starting with the new starter.
http://youtu.be/tzc1JYx4LHE

BTW, I found a new OEM starter on Amazon for $93.48 with Prime shipping.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Very nice thanks for the write up. Mine has not even turned over on the first two attempts the past two days in a row. Starting to think its going, all I get is a click like it wants to start then nothing. Does that twice then turns over the third time. Good tip on the link, may purchase if it does it again when I leave work.

Also I watched the video and I don't think my car has ever started like that. Really leaning towards Tue starter now.

Originally Posted by TripleB

Mine started doing this yesterday. Thinking it's the battery as well. I've got a 2010. Hoping is the battery because I just passed my 5 year 100,000 mile warranty expiration date 1/9/15. Would hate for it to be something else that could've been covered by the warranty.

Yeah I thought I was on the original battery but it was replaced two years ago. Had it tested and it came back that it was fine. Now the starter seems to not want to turn over on the first attempt.