That Annoying Van

So two days ago, I went out to start my trusty van using the procedure I have been using for awhile to make sure that it does start (I turn the key to on, wait 30 seconds, then turn it over), and it didn't start. Well, to begin with, it did try to turn over, but halfway though that, it sounded like it choked. It was weird. After that, it gave me nothing, and none of my little tricks worked to make it go. Those tricks being to wait longer with it in on, and manically keep turning the key to start until it kicks it over. I was dead in the water.

As a result, I had to keep the car. Well, it was too late for the Queen to take me to work and then get everyone else around on time, so it was for me to be the late one (since I was already) and take everyone else to their destinations, which also means I needed to pick them all up. That's the smallest part of the issue, though. The big part is the problem itself. I've never been able to figure out what is causing this bizarre issue. If I just turn it on, it won't start. If I let it set for 30 seconds, it works. Granted, I'd not tested any of the components yet, and I know that's the next step.

That being said, it was nice to spend time with everyone that morning even though there was a little stress with the car problem. After I got home that evening, I went out to see if the van would start at all figuring my next step would be decided from there. I got in, and it started right up. Well, since it worked the way it had been, I decided to let it go, and sort it out over the weekend. You know, when I have time to take something apart.

Well, the morning came, and guess what? No start. Not even a tick of a start. The one main difference I notice at this point is that the solenoid isn't clicking. This brings me back to my original belief in that the solenoid is dead and my turning the ignition to on prior to starting had been basically "charging it" where the weird pop I heard that first morning was likely the solenoid completely dying.

To add insult to injury that morning, my ignition tumbler has been stubborn in that sometimes the key won't turn. I always have to tap it a few times with a very large wrench to pop the key into place and turn it. Well, on that morning, it took quite a few taps to get it to turn as well. I think the whole starter system is falling apart, but one thing at a time. I needed to get home, pull the starter, and get it to Autozone to test it.

So my task yesterday evening was to pull that starter out and most likely replace it. I found where it was located in the engine compartment and like most vehicles I've owned, this one looked to be a pain to get out of there. I eventually found where I could use a very long ratchet extension to get at one bolt, but the other bolt appeared to have lost its head entirely. I was very cross about that. I spent probably an hour trying to work the thing loose until it occurred to me that it was bolted to the transmission, which, you may recall, is the first thing that had to be fixed on the van. I thought that surely the guys who did the transmission didn't shear off a bolt head and leave it.

I looked more thoroughly and sure enough, the starter was bolted to the transmission from the opposite side of where the other bolt was attached. No wonder I couldn't find it. Got that loose and it fell right off (you know, after I disconnected the solenoid wires and stuff). Victory. I was off to Autozone after dinner.

At Autozone, they took the starter over to the tester, and as my luck tends to be, it passed the test. However, the guy who ran the test noted that while the machine passed it, it sounded weak. He did not want to just recommend the $100+ replacement since the machine did pass it, but that's what it sounded like to him. I figured it was that or the solenoid anyway, so I decided to replace it.

Here's the funny part. If you ask someone who knows about cars, they'll tell you that the starter is one of the sturdiest components and you rarely have to replace them. I've had to replace 3 starters on vehicles I've owned, and every last one of them passed the test at Autozone. I have some serious doubts about that tester.

Anyway, I popped the starter on the van, and it fixed the problem. In fact, I never realized how rough that van was actually starting. When I turn the key now, it just purrs right to life where it always sounded like it struggled before. Just one more thing to listen for when I buy used again, I suppose.

Man, I really got screwed on the van. See why I'm in no hurry to let them know about their financial screw up? That dealership strikes me as a slip shod operation.