Chevrolet Starter

Your Chevy starter is one of those parts that you'll probably need to replace once, perhaps even twice, over the lifetime of your vehicle. While, naturally, your Chevy starter is a well-made part, the inner working parts, such as the brushes and the gear teeth, simply wear with time and use, their surfaces eroding until they are no longer able to make the contact they need to perform their task. The symptoms of a Chevy starter that is moving towards failure can be very subtle, easily missed by the less mechanically experienced driver. After all, while difficulty in starting can indicate a bad starter, it is also associated with a variety of other mechanical problems, including a weak battery. Another sign of a struggling starter is headlights that are fine while the engine is off, but become noticeably dimmer when you start the vehicle. When your Chevy starter does fail, you will be stranded, but if the failure is due to the brushes, as opposed to the other common reason for starter failure, worn or broken gear teeth, you may be able to get it started just one more time with a firm tap on the part of the starter that houses the brushes. Use the back of a screwdriver or similar solid implement to strike your Chevy starter, letting the quick, firm blow come from your wrist and if it works, use that last start wisely and be careful not to let the vehicle stall. Our online catalog features an excellent Chevy starter selection, all reasonably priced and readily available, able to be ordered easily via our secure site or by dialing our toll-free telephone number.

To save on time and money, determine the best solution before replacing or repairing your Chevrolet starter. Below are the things you need to follow to repair the starter on your own. Make sure to keep in mind the proper safety guidelines to avoid injuries and accidents.

Difficulty level: Moderate

Things you'll need:

• Socket set
• Set of spanners
• Screwdrivers
• Soldering Iron or torch
• Pliers, side-cutters
• Hammer
• Tape
• Sandpaper
• Oil
• Rags

Step 1: Detach the negative cable from your battery. Make sure the cable is separated from the battery at all times during the whole repair process. You may need to take out the battery, clutch cylinder, or cooling fan to easily reach the starter bolts. This step prevents setting your vehicle on fire or injuring yourself.

Step 2:Take out the starter retaining bolts by using the socket and drivers. Gently lower the Chevrolet starter to achieve access to the solenoid wiring. Disconnect the wires from the starter or solenoid. Make sure to put some indications on them with tape. With the starter taken out, you can start stripping and cleaning it. You can use a rag soaked in petrol to clean the starter. Remember to put some markings on the case and solenoid, so it will be easy to reassemble later on. When stripping, loosen the screws holding the back cover and brushes. Carefully take out the clip, spring, and heat shield. Then, detach the motor cable from the solenoid. Take out the long bolts, which hold the motor together. Take out the brush cover. By pulling back the spring, cautiously unclip the brushes. Take out the brush holder, field windings, as well as the solenoid and frame, also referred to as the armature.

Step 3: To repair the armature and field windings, use wet and dry sand paper to remove the corrosion. The commutator may be sanded as well. To clean the parts in between, use the back of a box cutter knife. Make sure the insulation between the parts is undercut to work properly. Use an oily rag to wipe every part and surface to aid in preventing corrosion. To replace the brushes or bushes, use the socket and hammer to carefully take out the bushes. With a ¼” drive extension, gently hit the cap of the bush in the nose of your Chevrolet starter. Make sure to bring these parts and the identification plate on the field winding, plus your chassis number to the automotive electrical store.

Step 4: When you have the new bushes, make sure to lubricate them with oil or they will not last very long. Place a new bush on your finger and fill it with engine oil. Put your thumb on the top, then, squeeze. You'll see the oil seeping out the sides of the bush after doing this process two or three more times.

Step 5:To fit the new bushes, make sure the housing is clean. Place the bush to the end of the armature and gently tap it into the housing with a hammer. Keep the frame or armature straight and hit the end of the armature flat to avoid damaging it. When the bush is half way in, you can use a drift or large punch to push it into its final position.

Step 6: Check the bushes, pinions, and brushes. Clean and lubricate the parts accordingly.

Step 7:When assembling the starter, make sure the armature and solenoid go in together and that the fork is in the correct position. Mount in the new Chevrolet starter with the original bolts. Reconnect the wires and make sure that the connectors are tight. Reattach the negative battery cable to the battery.

Step 8:Test the starter.