Tapio

I have a 98 which sat garaged for a good year plus. I'd start it ever month or two and let it run for a few hours to try and keep things from going stale but now that I actually need to use it again everything seems to be going wrong. First the fuel pump and right after that was replaced I got 1 day of beautiful starts before a new problem came up...

At first it wasn't as bad..the engine would crank and it made a spining, swooshing sound and then the engine would bog as it started up. I had to give it gas and eventually it'd start and run smooth. This would only happen on cold starts. If the car ran for a bit it'd start perfectly. Now it just makes the sound and it doesn't bog or start at all.
I recorded a 10 second clip because I'm very bad at trying to describe sound. It's a bit quiet but you can hear what its doing clearly.

Any help would be appreciated. The shop said they thought it could be the starter but they were only really checking to make sure it wasn't the fuel pump they replaced. It looked like changing the starter seemed like an easy job so I figured I'd do it myself if it was the case but I hate to spend $170 on a guess.

Thanks
Here's the video...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhlrJNBTzVY

QNO_A32

iTrader: (7)

that starter sounds really weak and its definatly not cranking over that motor as it should be.....its an easy enough job, just remove the air intake up to the TB and the starter is right there. clean all the grounds while youre at it too. id replace the starter IMO....

ChrisMan287

iTrader: (34)

Well said. It's definitely the starter and it's as easy as he said. The rear bolt is a bit tough, but you'll get it.

4DRSpeed

iTrader: (22)

I just had my starter rebuilt. It's a 15-20 minute job to take the starter out and put it back in.

Tapio

Awesome, thanks for the fast responses. I'll run to autozone and get a new starter and see what I can do. I'll post back the results.

Tapio

Well its been a bit of a pain getting everything out of the way so i can access the starter and now that I have it out I'm completely stuck. There's a stupid wire harness from the starter which is clipped in and I can't fore the life of me get it out. It's buried behind something which i can't get out so I can't tell how it releases. Such a stupid small thing is driving me nuts and I'm no where closer to getting it free.

Is it supposed to be this difficult or am i missing something?

maxfever1987

iTrader: (93)

its not difficult but are you able to just lift it to move it out of the way?? have u alreayd disconnected the 2 starter bolts?

QNO_A32

iTrader: (7)

follow the wire from the starter to the grey connector. theres a little piece that sticks up with ribs on it. squeeze it with your thumb and pull the grey harness connectoe apart. the other end of it goue to part of the engine harness. the new starter should have that wire and plug on it...

maxfever1987

iTrader: (93)

absolutely right

Tapio

Sweet. Got it. Thanks.

wirelessdude04

iTrader: (24)

solved your problem?

anovib

looks like your out of gas to me. Would be hilarious if thats the problem

maxgtr2000

iTrader: (29)

Sounds like either the solenoid is not kicking the starter motor forward to engage the flywheel, or your starter doesn't have any more teeth.

Tapio

All done and the car starts and purrs like a champ. Thanks again for all the advice from everyone who pitched in.

First time this baby has been up and running this smooth in years.