ZR-1 Net Registry Forums - View Single Post - Update on my hi-miler Z project

VetteMed · 01-06-2012

Been driving the Z a lot, just hit 193K miles, yesterday get in the car to go run some errands, turn the key, and CLICK, no crank. Battery checked out good, connections good, clutch switch bypassed, starter was rebuilt about 5k miles ago. Since the starter seemed to be the only possible explanation, with the battery and connections ruled out, I pulled the plenum and brought the starter to a local rebuilder to have it checked out.

Turned out to be a missing nut on the stud that is on the "motor" side of the solenoid. Apparently the previous rebuilder neglected to reinstall the nut, and just slipped the rubber cover over the stud. Amazing that it functioned properly for as long as it did.

BTW, there was no way the nut loosened and fell off, as it wasn't in the valley. Just a sloppy rebuilder, I guess.

Got the starter back in and the plenum back on in record time... got home from work at about 6PM, done with dinner by 7, had the motor running by 9PM. As good as I've gotten at working under the plenum, I still curse the guy who chose to utilize that long connector on the back of the ignition module, with the 1/4" nut. WHY is it that the connector that is toughest to get to, has the most ridiculous retention method?

Also... I had this shop bench-test 2 spare LT5 starters that I had on hand, both tested good, if anyone wants to buy one as a spare I'll let em go for $75 shipped.

01-06-2012	#167
VetteMed Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,816	Re: Update on my hi-miler Z project Been driving the Z a lot, just hit 193K miles, yesterday get in the car to go run some errands, turn the key, and CLICK, no crank. Battery checked out good, connections good, clutch switch bypassed, starter was rebuilt about 5k miles ago. Since the starter seemed to be the only possible explanation, with the battery and connections ruled out, I pulled the plenum and brought the starter to a local rebuilder to have it checked out. Turned out to be a missing nut on the stud that is on the "motor" side of the solenoid. Apparently the previous rebuilder neglected to reinstall the nut, and just slipped the rubber cover over the stud. Amazing that it functioned properly for as long as it did. BTW, there was no way the nut loosened and fell off, as it wasn't in the valley. Just a sloppy rebuilder, I guess. Got the starter back in and the plenum back on in record time... got home from work at about 6PM, done with dinner by 7, had the motor running by 9PM. As good as I've gotten at working under the plenum, I still curse the guy who chose to utilize that long connector on the back of the ignition module, with the 1/4" nut. WHY is it that the connector that is toughest to get to, has the most ridiculous retention method? Also... I had this shop bench-test 2 spare LT5 starters that I had on hand, both tested good, if anyone wants to buy one as a spare I'll let em go for $75 shipped.