It looks like my starter is dead - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

igo · 07-25-2008, 09:48 PM

Well,
starter, alternator, or random electrical issue.

I was driving and I turned my engine off at the light. Well my car didn't start. I tried a jump and nothing happened. I got it towed to pep boys (yeah I know

I don't have any good tools or a garage to work in right now). Hopefully, I will get everything figured out tomorrow.

163,000mi and it is probably the original started. So I am not sure how much of this was caused by repetitive key on/off cycles.

ATaylorRacing · 07-25-2008, 11:03 PM

It would have died in a few thousand more miles anyhow.

Red · 07-26-2008, 01:15 AM

163k on a factory part isn't a bad service life.

Big Dave · 07-26-2008, 12:57 PM

Starters, solenoids, and batteries only have so many starts in them.

As an extreme example locomotive starters only have eight starts in them before failure. That's why locomotives may idle for days at a time.

By shutting down and restarting at lights, you simply moved up the day of replacement.

Johnny Mullet · 07-26-2008, 10:43 PM

I am actually not a fan of Engine Off Coasting.

Will · 07-26-2008, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny Mullet

I am actually not a fan of Engine Off Coasting.

You being a mechanic I am wondering why... Hard on the car?

Johnny Mullet · 07-26-2008, 11:08 PM

In my opinion, EOC is hard on the starter and ignotion switch and bump starting is hard on motor mounts and axles. When my car is coasting, the engine is on so I have total control and an idling Metro gets like 90MPG by estimation.

I am already averaging 57-60MPG without EOC and if I was to use this practice to save more fuel, I feel that having to replace worn components would cost more in the long run.

Remember! I am not a "Hypermiler". I am an "EcoModder".

Will · 07-26-2008, 11:15 PM

That really does make sense. I have been trying it, but I am not really pleased with the results. Gas prices are so high that saving gas has become an important thing, and I could not be without the Metro...

I have noticed that with I am coasting the engine only backs down to about 1200 to 1500 RPM until I stop. This normal?

Johnny Mullet · 07-26-2008, 11:22 PM

Mine is the same way. It's normal.

Will · 07-26-2008, 11:29 PM

Cool, thanks