20 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCH996 starter replacement
Reported or suspected cause
starter
Reported cause
No successful repair reported for this finding.
1
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0
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Discussions that report identifying a cause
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Reported cause · Original poster
Checked the normal easy things but everything checked out so I was pretty sure it was the starter.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
I've checked the battery cable from the front of the car back to engine and the section from the engine to the starter (1.5 ft section) and it's all testing the same voltage.
Leading evidence: 'starter' (1 discussions report identifying this cause; no attributable repair resolution). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'starter' (1 discussions; 1 report identifying it and 0 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Check battery cable' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
Source reports, not a diagnosis or a success probability. Counts refer to discussions and can overlap.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that report identifying a cause
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
I've checked the battery cable from the front of the car back to engine and the section from the engine to the starter (1.5 ft section) and it's all testing the same voltage.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
Checked the normal easy things but everything checked out so I was pretty sure it was the starter.
Check yesterday at advanced auto and they said it's perfect
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
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0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
I had the starter checked yesterday at advanced auto and they said it's perfect.
These are separate views of the same evidence. Frequency alone does not establish a fix, and these counts must not be added together.
Check battery cable
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
I've checked the battery cable from the front of the car back to engine and the section from the engine to the starter (1.5 ft section) and it's all testing the same voltage.
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion · Original poster
I had to twist and turn and disconnect a cable holder that connected several of the larger harness wires in this area so I could pull the Starter thru the opening.
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
20 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 1 adjusted by outcome qualification.
3 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Well, My 996 with 62K on it started to have starter issues. Checked the normal easy things but everything checked out so I was pretty sure it was the starter.
below are the pic's of the removal. It turned out to be a very easy job. I've list how I did it in the hopes it's useful to someone else.
Remember to disconnect the battery
1. Remove the air box. I found it easier to take it out in two seconds (top half, like i was changing the air filter. then the bottom second). One plug on the top side if i remember correctly.
2. Remove the Throttle body assembly. this was pretty straight forward. Just take your time unhooking all the plugs and cable. The cable is also straight forward. A small screw driver to push the cable lock back thru the mount was the trickiest thing. But that was really pretty easy.
3. Next remove the "intermediate piece' This is what the throttle body mounts to. it runs between the two intakes. It's held in place by 4 (two on each side) large hose clamps. Loosen them up to the point they can be completely spun around (good and loose). I was then able to push the rubber sleeve in on the left side so I could work the throttle body mount out. be careful there's a small plastic vacuum hose that connects to the bottom of this. It just pulls out but you can break it if you're not careful.
4. Now you will be able to see the starter. Straight in behind everything you just removed. Disconnect the two lines to the starter. one is held on by a small 10MM nut and the other is under a rubber cover/shield 14MM.
5. Now comes the last part. i did a lot of reading about this and many people complained about the lower left side bolt (drivers side) which is almost impossible to see. I took a number of short extensions with a 15mm deep well socket and fished it under the alternator straight back to the bolt. very easy and no need to remove the alternator as some people will tell you. The top right bolt was easy access but I did use a swivel socket to get a good grip.
6. Remove the starter. the starter is larger then you think. I had to twist and turn and disconnect a cable holder that connected several of the larger harness wires in this area so I could pull the Starter thru the opening.
All in all a very easy job. maybe 45 mins because i was taking my time and not rushing. I haven't reinstalled a new starter yet. I did check the old one and its toast. i'm hoping to find a local starter and alternator rebuilder in the area so i can keep my original starter. I'll post when the install is complete. Below are some pic's. hope this helps someone.
Sorry, I started taking pics after I already started and had already removed the air box. but the airbox is really straight forward.
The process was very easy (imo). But it didn't solve my issue. I had the starter tested and it works fine. I've checked the battery cable from the front of the car back to engine and the section from the engine to the starter (1.5 ft section) and it's all testing the same voltage. So it doesn't seem to be the cables. I've read a couple of posts and some say it's a connection issue at the starter. Looking at the starter connection it does look a little corroded / pitted. not sure if this is the issue being it's very minor. I'm going to do a little more checking and research to see. If any one has any suggestions let me know. FYI, I think I'm going to wire the starter up before bolting it back into place and test it to see if it works now. I just wonder if a true load, like the one it gets when bolted to the motor is really achieved when tested at the parts store? I'm still not convinced the starter is 100%. I'll post more when i have it. Again if anyone comes up with other ideas let me know.
How did you test the cable between the engine jump start terminal (above the a/c compressor) and the starter? If you just measured voltage without any large current going through the cable, your test was not conclusive. I highly recommend replacing that starter/alternator cable regardless as it's a common culprit.
basicly not starting / turning over. I normally keep the car on a trickle charger in the garage. It will start ok as soon as I take the charger of although it does seem to turn slow or as I like to call it "dragging". I took a drive the other day, 70 miles or so stopped for about 45 minutes and when i tried to start the car, nothing... wouldn't turn over. Ive found that if I keep turning the ignition key it sometimes will crank over, although slow it will start. So I kept turning the key 5 or 6 times and finally it turned over and started. This has happened more then once. Another time I left the car off the charger for about a week and when i went to start it, nothing! I put a charger on it and jumped it and it started. I've had the battery checked, it's good and only a month old. I had the starter checked yesterday at advanced auto and they said it's perfect.
I did check the lead from the jump terminal to the starter and I was getting the same voltage as I was getting at the battery.
I guess my next step will be to replace that short lead from the jump terminal to the starter as some have already pointed out it known to be a problem.
Well,
Finally got back to the car today. I went ahead and replaced the Starter cable from the Jump terminal to the starter (short cable) and it has seemed to fixed the problem. The job really wasn't that big of a deal. Took my time and everything seemed to go well. One suggestion I do have is make sure you pay attention to all the little vacuum lines they can make a big difference on how the car runs after getting it back together. Do ask how i know just trust me. Everyone, thanks for the suggestions.
Awesome and thanks for this thread. I have been having similar symptoms with my 04 C4S, 124,... Last year when I lived in Georgia and the temperature was below 50 my starter would make this little whirling sound after starting the car. Now since moving south, that sound is gone, but now I have the sometimes real slow starting. I think I've found the problem through this thread. Thanks again.
As soon as I started the car I knew something was wrong. It wasn't idling right, it would hesitate and stumble as soon as you stepped on the gas. Started looking over the motor because I knew something was wrong and it either had to be a vacuum line or I missed plugging something back up. Turned out to be one of the small hard plastic vacuum lines that push into the back side of the throttle body rubber mounts on either side of the throttle body. There very sneaky, little bastard.....
islaTurbine
As soon as I started the car I knew something was wrong. It wasn't idling right, it would hesitate and stumble as soon as I would step on the gas. I started looking over the motor knowing i missed something. i finally found a vacuum line unplugged. One of the hard plastic ones that push into the Throttle body rubber mounts on the back side. hard to see, the little bastards...
islaTurbine,
When I started it I knew it wasn't right. It was stumbling and hesitating very badly. Just not running smoothly. Starting looking and found one of the hard plastic vacuum lines on the back side of the throttle body mount had come disconnected.
islaTurbine,
As soon as i started the car i knew something wasn't right. it was stumbling and hesitating so bad I figure for sure it was going to throw a fault code. I shut it down right away and started looking and found one of the black hard plastic vacuum lines on the back side of the throttle body mount had pulled out. There hidden and can be a pain to see sometimes. i better for the future.
I just started looking at 996's, and all the ones I looked at were above 80k miles. The commonality I noticed on all of them, was that they started like lazy dogs. I asked all the owners "is your battery low", and they all said no it's just the way the starter is. They just all seemed to crank very slowly. Good info in this thread... most likely these cars all need the cables addressed and perhaps a starter rebuild.
Yes. The cable is very deceptive. From the outside the cable can look brand new but on the inside it is corroded and has high resistance. My theory is that moisture gets trapped underneath the insulation. Regarding the alternator, mine needed a new voltage regulator and then it worked great. I also coated the ends of the cable with conductive grease to help keep the moisture out.
This is a source reference. Confirm exact model applicability in the original material.
