Lumina wont start

[mlm328]

My 90 lumina was overheating, replaced the radiator because it had a hole in it. It ran fine for about 2 weeks then started overheating again, we drove it anyway and it cut off on us and wouldnt start up again, the mechanic said its the starter but I want to be sure before I replace it, also the battery went dead, I got a jump but it still wouldnt start and the batt went dead again, is my mechanic accurate? If so where can I get a little instruction on how to replace the starter myself?

[jeffcoslacker]

Hard to tell from here

When you hit the key, does it turn over, or just click and nothing happens?

It's possible if the starter was borderline before, the overheating and trying to crank a hot engine might have killed it. your battery doesn't sound too great either, you may have a couple of things happening.

If you have good primary power (lights, chimes, radio, etc) and the battery cables are tight, you can try a couple of things first. Try holding the key over to the start position while moving the shifter (I'm assuming it's an automatic tranny) through the ranges to make sure it's not just a nuetral safety switch out of whack. If that does nothing, you can have someone hold the key over to the start position while you whack the starter with a hammer from underneath. This trick will usually get a starter with brush or winding problems to at least try to crank the motor, so if you do this and it starts up, or starts trying to crank the motor over, the starter is bad. Make sure the car is in park, and you have the e-brake set when you do this, You don't want to get run over if it starts.

It's also conceivable that you seized the motor up from running it overheating. In that case, the starter will make a loud clack as it engages, followed by a high pitch quiet whine as it strains to turn but can't, and the battery cables will start to smoke if you hold it over like this very long. That would suck...

Starter replacement is pretty simple, it's on the front of the motor, facing the radiator, down low. You disconnect the battery FIRST! Failure to do so will buy you a whole bunch of new and exciting problems to figure out.

There are a few wires, several small and one large cable that go to the starter solenoid, note which posts they attach to and remove them. I can't remember on yours if you need to remove a cover on the bottom of the tranny to get the starter out....if so, you'll see what I mean, it's straightforward, just take the bolts out and remove it. There are two large bolts that hold the starter to the motor, remove them and don't let it drop on you, that starter is quite heavy.

Installation is the reverse, when you get done make sure all of the smaller wires are accounted for and attached. Sometimes one gets pushed out of the way and you don't see it when putting it back together, that'll cause problems ranging from no start to no charging from the alternator to shorts all over the car's electrical system, so it's very important. When you are sure that everything is where it belongs and no wiring is missing or pinched, connect the battery back up.

[mlm328]

when i turn the key there is a click and it wont turn over not the clack and whine thing, also its been sitting for awhile and i think thats why the batt is dead, we already replaced the ignition because it was stuck in the on position which caused the batt to go dead in the first place. we're going to try everything u said and hit u back and let u know what happens, thanx a bunch for the advice.

[robyrob]

Originally Posted by mlm328

when i turn the key there is a click and it wont turn over not the clack and whine thing, also its been sitting for awhile and i think thats why the batt is dead, we already replaced the ignition because it was stuck in the on position which caused the batt to go dead in the first place. we're going to try everything u said and hit u back and let u know what happens, thanx a bunch for the advice.

if your ignition was sticking when you were trying to start it, you've probably killed your starter, just make sure you either recharge or replace that battery when you change the starter, because low voltage will drastically reduce the life of it....