[neo85]

I am having recurrent starter issues on my 17" Camaro SS. I recently replaced the battery, installed a thick secondary ground wire (which temporarily alleviated issue) but I am getting really slow cranks/turnover even despite temps here in the 40s/50s. Sometimes if it takes too long to crank I smell a slight burning rubber smell from my engine bay.

2 Questions:
1. Do I need to just replace the starter and this should be a done deal? (maybe with an aftermarket heatshield)?

2. Also would you recommend any after market shops for maint on this or just bite the bullet and go with the dealer ( I am seeing other threads where people are posting 2k plus for the job from Chevy which is insanee).

[SS_Don]

I would first check all of your grounds to make sure they are making good contact and that they are tight.

[bishopts]

I would suggest to volt drop the starter assembly.

Also have your battery tested. I know you said you just replaced it but they fail on the shelf just as much as they fail in the car. So dont chase your tail by overlooking simple things.

If you can. Test the battery directly at the battery. Then turn around and test it from the jump point under the hood. If they test pretty close then you know you arent having connection problems at the battery or high resistance in the battery cables.

[p47dman]

I also have seen new batteries bad when new. Check the terminals, clean and dry. I like a battery terminal protectant spray. Like bishopts, test battery. I have a carbon pile that will load test a battery out of vehicle. You used to be able to take them to parts store and they would test them for you.

[Laubin]

I bought a starter blanket from amazon for 30 bucks---The starter gets heat soaked by the cat and exhaust near by... it happens to many vehicles. Being a 17 model... replace the starter and put the blanket on that one. Amazon has OEM's for about $246.

[neo85]

Appreciate the response! I have a Design engineering heat wrap that was recommended by others on this forum that I need to install. Do you have any recommendations/links for OEM starters - should I just stick with the standard AC delco starter?

Also is the job itself something most shops can do or would you do dealer only (they might not install the aftermarket heat wrap, etc.) though.

Oe of my other concerns was the burning rubber smell I had on short trips where I have to restart the car within 15-20 minutes of starting it. may need to replace the starter solenoid as well?

[bishopts]

Originally Posted by neo85

Appreciate the response! I have a Design engineering heat wrap that was recommended by others on this forum that I need to install. Do you have any recommendations/links for OEM starters - should I just stick with the standard AC delco starter?

Also is the job itself something most shops can do or would you do dealer only (they might not install the aftermarket heat wrap, etc.) though.

Oe of my other concerns was the burning rubber smell I had on short trips where I have to restart the car within 15-20 minutes of starting it. may need to replace the starter solenoid as well?

Solenoids aren't sold separately. It's all part of the starter for the past 30ish years.

I would take it to a well known independent shop. They usually arent full of dumb techs.

[ctrlz]

Before dropping the starter, you could try a starter boost pack which connects at the underhood terminals. This effectively applies high amperage at a point past the cables running from trunk to under hood.
If you get good starting with the boost, you know it's a connection and not the starter.
These units run $50-100 on amazon.
As bishop said, you can volt drop the starter, but not everybody is familiar with that. All his suggestions about measuring resistance are also valid.

[neo85]

I called chevy and parts and labor were like 1200 (250 for the starter and 950 for labor) which seems better than other peoples stealership quotes 2k+. Do you guys still think that's too much and would check out independent shops?

[bishopts]

Originally Posted by neo85

I called chevy and parts and labor were like 1200 (250 for the starter and 950 for labor) which seems better than other peoples stealership quotes 2k+. Do you guys still think that's too much and would check out independent shops?

Its about $950 higher than i would pay. It's not hard to do if you understand how tools work. If you don't then get a quote from an independent shop. Just don't get a mobile mechanic.

[p47dman]

I also would replace it myself. I have not been under mine to look, but, should be straight forward.
Disconnect neg cable, a few bolts that hold starter to bell housing and the cables. Replace as it was removed.

[m6-lt1]

Originally Posted by p47dman

I also would replace it myself. I have not been under mine to look, but, should be straight forward.
Disconnect neg cable, a few bolts that hold starter to bell housing and the cables. Replace as it was removed.

I may be misremembering but I think the passenger cat has to come out.

[p47dman]

That may be. I have not been under mine to look at starter removal. Just stating what has been needed before. And, does the passenger side cat just unbolt? Where as the drivers side has to be cut out?

[neo85]

Yea i saw the manual and it is fairly labor intensive swap and I need a lift which I don't have the price isnt that awful considering it is a dealer (I was honestly expecting 1500-1800) given the manual says its a 3-4 hour job