Any recommendations on where to have my starter rebuilt in the San Francisco bay area? Preferably in the Sunnyvale area. My starter would not crank when the engine is hot. I read all the threads on how to get it out (I am not sure how I will get it back in!!!). There are recommendations for www.ferraristarters.com, though I'd like to keep the car stock. Has anybody had the starter not work when hot and then had it rebuilt? Did you ever experience the same starter not engaging after rebuilding it? The starter is the original, with the Ferrari part number punched on it. It looks pretty flimsy to me for being a Ferrari part, I would have expected something more "solid". Thanks in advance Richard 1984 Mondial QV
I know it's a bit south for you, but Autolectrics on White Oaks in Campbell is pretty good, and has been around forever.
I don´t think an original starter is flimsy, it is quite substantial. The solenoid and it´s post were brittle on mine, I ordered a new one from superformance and new brushes. After disassembling, replacing the brushes was to complicated for me but the old ones were fine, so I reassembled and painted, with the new solenoid. Not cranking when hot doesn´t need to be a starter at fault, maybe a bad connection or ground somewhere, or maybe only your solenoid is bad. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Just reverse the "get it out" directions! Or call your friend Maestro. I'd be happy to help. P.S. I start at Riverbed late next month. You won't be the only Mondi in the parking lot anymore!
Hi Bert 308 I see the solenoid at Superformace for 31.70, though I can't find it in the US. Thanks, Richard
Hi Jason, yours will still be the only Mondi on the parking lot most of the time as I only drive it when I don't worry about getting stranded somewhere. :-( The hot engine starter issue has been going on for a while. I just read the threads about how difficult it was to remove it and I postponed it. I have NO idea how I wiggled it out!!!! BTW, they already started an "car" thread at Riverbed, waiting for your arrival. Cheers! Richard
What are the odds that the solenoid is an off the shelf Bosch item, used on countless other cars from the same era?
I contacted AutoElectrics and they appear to have the parts for the rebuild available. Rebuilding is about $120 and takes 4 hours. Which leads me to believe this must be an inexpensive off the shelf starter with the Ferrari part number stamped on it.
Bingo. They are nothing special. Any good starter shop should be able to rebuild it. Nothing "Ferrari" about it. Same for the alternator, just a common Bosch alternator. The only thing special about the alternator is the pulley -- if you ever have yours rebuilt, make sure you hang onto the pulley, as they are hard to replace.
I finally got my starter rebuilt by AutoLectrics. They did a great job. Highly recommend them. They ship throughout the country, it may be possible that the rebuilt starters from the east coast came from California. http://www.autolectrics.com/ The starter worked when they tested it, as it was fine when cold. It did sound bad, like in my car. It turned out my starter had a worn bushing on the front, which is why it was loose and seemed "flimsy" to me. When tested, it smelled burnt, so it was fully rebuild. I am glad I did not attempt to only replace the solenoid, as there was more work needed. The starter is actually pretty good! It has gear reduction. See pictures below. Now the starter engages right away and the engine cranks slightly faster. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Wow, I hadn't seen a starter with planetary gear reduction before...From the outside it looks like so many other direct drive designs you'd ever seen. I'm glad they were able to help you as they are a local business!
