94 Caravan Starter "shim"?

Hello...I am still having the same problem with my Caravan as a month
or two ago..You turn the key and solenoid clicks but that`s
all..Usually after 5-20 times it will start..We`ve gone down the list
and checked all the normal stuff and nothing has fixed it (Battery,
ground, starter motor, relay..etc)..Today some guy at the 7-11 said he
had the problem once and the starter motor needed to be
"shimmed"..I`ve never heard of this..Any input will be appreciated

 

Shimming a starter that binds is a Chevrolet design deficiency that was
ubiquitous in the 70s and 80s. The Nippondenso starter in your Caravan
needs new solenoid contacts.

 

Yes. See if you can find a way to just replace the contacts, instead
of the whole starter. An independent auto electric shop may be able to
do it. If you can remove the starter yourself, you can save on some
labor.

-KM

 

The parts you need are here:

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?MfrCode=VLP&MfrPartNumber=ND34SOL

This is a link that Bill Putney posted previously and has excellent prices.
You will only need two of the contacts and the contact plunger, but this kit
with 4 contacts fits other Nippondenso starters used in other vehicles too.

You need to get under the vehicle to remove the starter. This is about a
thirty minute job for
someone who knows what they are doing. Once the starter is out, it is
fairly trivial to open the solenoid and replace these parts. If you clean
everything up and reverse the procedure,you should get another 5-6
years/5-75K miles from the repaired starter. The motors themselves are very
well made and generally do not fail very often. The solenoid contacts, on
the other hand, get consumed a little bit by the large inrush current every
time you start the vehicle.

Good luck.

Bob

PS Here is another web site with good photos that show the damage to the
contacts over time and also offer just the contacts themselves and not the
plunger too:

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/Starter.shtml

Yes. See if you can find a way to just replace the contacts, instead
of the whole starter. An independent auto electric shop may be able to
do it. If you can remove the starter yourself, you can save on some
labor.

-KM

 

I had an 88 with the starter that had the solenoid contacts easily
accessible
on the starter. I went to order new when the starter quit about 350 miles
from home, but they were 'out of them'. Anyway, there was a 'bar' in the
assembly that was very pitted on one side, so when I put it back together
I flipped it over the clean side. It worked fine, and while I bought the
parts
when I got home, the new bar and the two bolts were still in a baggie in
the glove box when the van was gotten rid of almost 100K miles later.

Might pay to take it apart and actually see what's going on, and what
could easily be done.

 

If you've got the 3.3 or the 3.8 L engine, make sure the battery to
starter cable is making good connection at the starter. There's a TSB
08-53-94 out there describing how to cut some of the insulating
material away from terminal insulator on the starter end of the cable.

 

Thank you to all the nice people who replied to my post..I got the
solenoid repair kit today and replaced the contacts and plunger and so
far the van has been starting just fine!

 

I am curious to know where you purchased the repair kit. Is it a pre-
package kit that can be purchased at auto part stores?

Thanks,

KM

 

I am curious to know where you purchased the repair kit. Is it a pre-

I got mine at the alternator/starter repair place I pass along my
delivery route as we do business with them sometimes and they had them
in stock...But you can get them at Advance Auto Parts..I tried Advance
first as there is one right across the street from my store but the
guy said he didn`t have one in stock but could have it the next day
for $12.95...It comes with the plunger and 4 copper contacts although
you only need 2 as someone mentioned...I paid more at the auto
electric place but didn`t want to wait another day as my brother
wouldn`t shut up about the van taking so long to start...LOL