[charvatg]

i have an '89 LX 5.0. After it warms up for a while it struggles to start. So far I have replaced the battery, and the ignition switch (due to an unrelated electrical problem).

Does this sound like the starter motor is about to die?

I took a look at the starter motor, and it's in a very tight space. Has anyone replaced one of these before on the 5.0? What did you have to do to get to it?

Thanks for any advice you can spare!
Greg

[8950lx]

Mine did the same. When I would start it in the mornings it would be ok, but afternoons were different because it would turn for a sec, then slow almost to a stop and then vrroooommm, it'd turn like nothing. It turns out my starter relay was bad. The starter is not difficult to replace at all. It is in a rather tight place bt you just get the screws and pull it out of the hole and take it out towards the back of the engine. It is rather heavy so be careful. It's good to take a long extension to get to the top bolt. I believe they are 1/2 in bolts. Just make sure it's not the relay first, but if you replace your starter it pays to replace the relay at the same time.

[8950lx]

oh yeah, make sure the cable going to the starter is ok too!

[Driver2]

Do you have long tube headers? Does it turn fine when cold but fails when its warm or hot? Sometimes with long tube headers or even sometimes without your starter might be getting too hot and fail to turn.

If this is the case there are two things you can do:

1 You can wrap your headers. Pros- the parts close to your headers wont be damaged or abused by the heat generated from them. Cons- your headers need to breathe and wrapping them wont let them and also header wraps have been known to ruin headers.

2 You can wrap your starter. Wraping your starter is easier, your headers can breathe and your starter will be protected from the heat.

For either one you can go to Jegs or Summit, I believe the Starter wrap will run you from 22.00 to 25.00 bucks and the header wraps a bit more. Good Luck

[charvatg]

You guys are providing some great advice here, i appreciate it.

Ok, so today i went ahead and replaced the starter relay and the problem still persists.

Yes that is just it, it turns perfectly fine when cold, then fails/barely starts when hot. It sounds like the starter motor is really struggling after the engine warms up, barely cranking the motor then just as it sounds like its about to die suddenly the engine fires up.

I took a look at the headers and they appear to be OE stuff.

I also wheeled myself under the car today and looked at the starter, at first glance the bolts look tough to get to. I can see the first one, and feel another one around the opposit side of the starter motor in a tough place that i could not reach with a standard rachet/extender from under the car.

It looks like i might have to pull that starter out, but i will talk to a few more people first. What do you guys think?

Greg

[meangreen92]

That top bolt is in the Top 5 biggest pains in the @$$, on the car. I use two long extensions with a universal adapter. Once you've done it a few times, it's still a royal beeyotch! Autozone can test it in the car so you can be sure, before parting with any cash. You might as well replace the cable too.