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  •  » FYI Ford, Classic Mustang Tech Discussion
  •  » 1998 Cobra Starter Replacement

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    6/19/2013 5:01 PM  #1

    1fststang
    I FYI 24-7

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    Registered: 6/02/2013
    Posts: 419

    1998 Cobra Starter Replacement

    Went to drive my Cobra to work Monday after it had set in the driveway all day Sunday without driving.

    Wouldn't start, won't turn over or anything. Battery had a littl over 12 volts.  Put jumper cables on it and it still wouldn't do anything.  Set frustrated for about 5 minutes turning the key to try and start it over and over after about 20 times it cranked up and has cranked up everytime since but the starter sounds a little funny.  Well on Friday we had some very heavy rain and I had driven through some water in our neighborhood probably deep enough it could have gotten wet.

    So figure I need to replace the starter shouldn't be no big deal.  Wrong. on the car it has three bolts. one at 12 o clock that you cant see feel or find. I have tried just to get a look at it with lights and mirror but no luck.  Looks like on the net people use about 10 wobble extensions and fish them through the k member, engine and about 10 other things in the way but no luck.

    Anybody been there done that who can give me an idea about how to get this off?

    I know the dealer will screw me over and who would want to pay a dealer to change something as simple as a starter.

    thanks

     

    6/19/2013 7:47 PM  #2

    jeremy
    FYI Addict

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    Registered: 4/14/2013
    Posts: 137

    Re: 1998 Cobra Starter Replacement

    i seem to remember just a simple socket and wratchet did the trick..or a wrench..but i spent over an hour on that one bolt...there is one spot under there which to slide the socket through..act i think with one extension....that bolt doesnt need to go back in...two are plenty

     

    6/19/2013 9:06 PM  #3

    MS
    Forum Originator

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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
    Posts: 12,156

    Re: 1998 Cobra Starter Replacement

    Was the battery checked on a load-machine to determine if it is still good?   A bad battery can still show 12 volts on a voltmeter but fail miserably when a load is applied. 

    I had the same thing happen on my John Deere today.  Started...but spun slow, then started again...then would only click the solenoid.  After charging for an hour, the starter would spin but not kick in.  It did not have enough juice to kick in the bendix.  If all else was good, that would have indicated a bad starter and I would have spent money to buy a new one.  Took the battery out (which would still run the tractor lights just fine) and had it tested.  It was no good.  New one solved all issues.

    Modern batteries have a different failure mode than the ones in the 60s and 70s.  When they die, they usually cannot be recharged, cannot be jump started, and still register 12 volts on a voltmeter.  I have learned over the years when a starting problem presents itself, always check the battery first.  Once you get it load tested at an OReilly or Autozone or Sears, then you have factual information to base your next step in troubleshooting.

    One member had a similar situation the other day.  Turned out he had a loose or corroded battery cable.

    I am not saying I magically have the answer to your problem, but always check the simple stuff first.  Whenever someone states they checked the battery and it "had 12 volts" and they assumed it was good, it always waves a red flag at me.

    A friend of mine had a 98 Cobra.  I honestly cannot remember what it was he was working on, but one time he had to remove the tranny crossmember and tilt the engine downward to get at a certain bolt.  I don't know if it was a starter or a bellhousing bolt.  Still, just an idea to consider.

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
     

    6/20/2013 5:39 PM  #4

    1fststang
    I FYI 24-7

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    Registered: 6/02/2013
    Posts: 419

    Re: 1998 Cobra Starter Replacement

    Your right Steve. I was thinking the same thing.

    I had a 73 Z28 a long time ago and the thing wouldn't start. If I remember right i would get a click or hum noise at starter. Replaced solenoid then starter and still wouldnt start.  Started checking the battery and opened the service caps and dang thing was very low so I added some water and without jumping it off or anything it started and was fine after that. Strange.

    Well had the battery load tested and it tested good.  The tester did say the battery needed a charge and was at 50%.  Hum.   I know the battery is probably about 4 years old but still thinking it is starter related,

    Starter is orignal so it is 14-15 years old.

    Car has started everytime about 15 times since it started when I turned the ignition like 20 times.

    Guess I will start driving it and see what happens.  By the way Ford dealer wants $500 to replace the starter.

       •Thread Starter
     

    6/20/2013 7:08 PM  #5

    MS
    Forum Originator

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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
    Posts: 12,156

    Re: 1998 Cobra Starter Replacement

    Heck, I only charge $250 for the tip to check the battery !!!! 

    See, I just saved you $250 !!!

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
     

    6/21/2013 4:02 PM  #6

    1fststang
    I FYI 24-7

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    Registered: 6/02/2013
    Posts: 419

    Re: 1998 Cobra Starter Replacement

    I guess we will see.

    I put the battery on a charger since it tested low.

    Starter still sounds a little funny.  We will drive it for awhile and see.

       •Thread Starter
     

    6/21/2013 4:34 PM  #7

    MS
    Forum Originator

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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
    Posts: 12,156

    Re: 1998 Cobra Starter Replacement

    1fststang wrote:

    I guess we will see.

    I put the battery on a charger since it tested low.

    Starter still sounds a little funny.  We will drive it for awhile and see.

     If the battery is low, it only makes sense the starter will sound different.

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
     

     

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