No, it IS the starter...right?
No, it IS the starter...right?
Sometimes turned the key and got nothing. Checked the relay, no problem. Sometimes starter wouldn't engage, sounded like grinding the flywheel, (sorta when you try to re-start your car after it's already running?) Sometimes a combo of both. Sometimes started no problem.
So I replaced the starter yesterday, a real 1-2-3 job. Started 4, 5 times in a row, no problem. Mission accomplished, I thought. Just for kicks, I brought in my old starter to AutoZone for a bench test...and it passed. Flying colors.
What does the bench test actually _test_? And because this problem was intermittent, is there a chance that the starter got tested in one of its 'good moods' but is still bad? If it's not the starter, I'm absolutely lost. The Autozone dude told me to check the alternator. Moron.
So I replaced the starter yesterday, a real 1-2-3 job. Started 4, 5 times in a row, no problem. Mission accomplished, I thought. Just for kicks, I brought in my old starter to AutoZone for a bench test...and it passed. Flying colors.
What does the bench test actually _test_? And because this problem was intermittent, is there a chance that the starter got tested in one of its 'good moods' but is still bad? If it's not the starter, I'm absolutely lost. The Autozone dude told me to check the alternator. Moron.





