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a couple times now I would turn the key and it wouldnt start but I would hear a whirring sound and it would start if I let off the key and tried again. Now it made a klunk sound and it wont start at all

The gauges light up, the stereo works great still but it almost acts like the battery is dead which is cant be cause it only has a few months on it only running it maybe 3 times a week.

A whirring noise? It could be that the starter was not engaging the flywheel and now is not working at all. If you have power to the small (purple?) wire to the starter solenoid when the key is in the "crank" position, I would say it needs a starter.

Ultra Boost wrote:A whirring noise? It could be that the starter was not engaging the flywheel and now is not working at all. If you have power to the small (purple?) wire to the starter solenoid when the key is in the "crank" position, I would say it needs a starter.

Thats what I was thinking and was hoping it wasnt true. Starters are around $200 arent they?

Do you know how to jump the connection to manual run the starter?

You should be able to find a used starter for $40-50

Looks like they are $65-75 at Autozone

Could just take it out and have it tested before buying a new one.

harofreak00 wrote:Do you know how to jump the connection to manual run the starter?

You should be able to find a used starter for $40-50

Looks like they are $65-75 at Autozone

I wish I did, Im not even sure where the starter is either :-/. *dang* it Haro, why cant you live around here lol?

I called Oreilly and they have one for $75.

Here is the starter.


its a pretty easy job, only 2 bolts and the wiring hold it on.

You can bypass the starter solenoid by using a large screwdriver. Connect the 2 large terminals on the solenoid to see if the starter engages.

harofreak00 wrote: You can bypass the starter solenoid by using a large screwdriver. Connect the 2 large terminals on the solenoid to see if the starter engages.

OIC so its an under the car type job, given the amount of room I will have Ill see what I can do. The parking lot is right on top of a steep hill and I tend to park as far forward as I can get so I may not have the room to do it but I will try tomorow when I have light again

Put it in neutral and back it up from the curb.

Use a jack and jackstand to lift the front of the car. You won't be able to work on it without.

I got another starter for my 94 SSEi for $20 from a junkyard. One of the bolts was securely stuck. I bought a 3/8" drive breaker bar with no ratcheting but rather a 180º rotating head. That was useful to get a good angle with an extension and what I think was a 15mm socket. One of the bolts came out really easily, but the other one was fought with all my body strength. Also, I had to take out one radiator fan to get my starter out. Your experience may vary, and I wish you the best of luck. Just letting you know of some slight hassles you may run into, like a chassis part getting in the way and some weird angles to turn the starter to get it out. Good luck!

I just did the starter on my car last week, not fun, somewhat easy, but not fun. Yes, only 2 bolts holding it in, 15mm. I'd undo the negative battery cable so you can wrench off the starter wires, I think it's 8mm for the small and 15mm for the bigger one on the solenoid. One thing not mentioned was the starter splash shield held on by a 10mm screw by the hydraulic tranny mount (looks like a mini shock absorber). Shield was hard to get out, I broke mine cause it was greasy and brittle. You have to wiggle it out. Did I mention how greasy and crud filled it was? With all the things in the way, you should pull the starter out from the top and remove the passenger side fan like Radomir said. Gives you just enough clearance. I got my starter from the yard, although I should of sprung for a new one at Autozone, $100 in my area!