Starter Motor Life?

Mr. Detail · Post by **Mr. Detail** » 08 Mar 2022, 08:54

I may have posted awhile back something on this topic and another member had responded by stating to try and turn the key to the accessory position twice and then turn the key fully to start the engine.
This seems to work lately and I just wondered if my starter motor is on it's last leg.
My P2 has 173k on her and I recently replaced both the alternator and the battery. Any opinions?

Post by **br0dy519** » 08 Mar 2022, 09:22

This video below helped me diagnose my starter. The POS-II twice thing is odd to me. You need to do that in order to start the engine? The only thing I can think of doing that for is maybe to prime the fuel and vacuum pumps? Do you have fuel pressure at the rail when you let it sit overnight?

Post by **vtl** » 08 Mar 2022, 09:28

Mr. Detail wrote: 08 Mar 2022, 08:54 I may have posted awhile back something on this topic and another member had responded by stating to try and turn the key to the accessory position twice and then turn the key fully to start the engine.
This seems to work lately and I just wondered if my starter motor is on it's last leg.
My P2 has 173k on her and I recently replaced both the alternator and the battery. Any opinions?

Check fuel pressure in the ramp, it could be a weak fuel pump.

Mr. Detail · Post by **Mr. Detail** » 09 Mar 2022, 06:27

How do I do that? Check the pressure in the ramp? Special tools needed?

Post by **vtl** » 09 Mar 2022, 06:31

Mr. Detail wrote: 09 Mar 2022, 06:27 How do I do that? Check the pressure in the ramp? Special tools needed?

Yes, Schrader valve on the ramp. Something like that is needed: www.amazon.com/BETOOLL-0-140PSI-Injecto ... 00VV29NHM/ Can get one at Autozone, etc.

Fuel pump primes the pressure when key is in position II. Engine needs 400 kPa of pressure to start (and work).

Mr. Detail · Post by **Mr. Detail** » 09 Mar 2022, 06:38

Thanks much vtl!

Post by **abscate** » 10 Mar 2022, 02:00

Do you need two turns of the key to CRANK or two to turns to START ?

First is a starter problem, second likely fuel delivery problem.

At 150,000 miles, it’s a hood time to clean out the pcv system on a P2. When you do that , the starter is a5 minute removal. Take it to an auto electric shop and have it rebuilt for $100

Repeat every 10 years

Mr. Detail · Post by **Mr. Detail** » 10 Mar 2022, 05:54

I turn the key to the accessory position twice to start or turn over the engine.

Mr. Detail · Post by **Mr. Detail** » 10 Mar 2022, 05:54

If it is "fuel delivery" does that mean a dying fuel pump?

Post by **vtl** » 10 Mar 2022, 06:17

Mr. Detail wrote: 10 Mar 2022, 05:54 If it is "fuel delivery" does that mean a dying fuel pump?

Either that or fuel pressure damper. Very old fuel filter can be clogged, too, but given the age, my bet is on fuel pump.