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Starter replacement?

Tiny
MAINEANDY
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO
  • 3.8L
  • V6
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
I have a 98 Chevy Monte Carlo that I thought was a 3.1 l. I installed a starter for that engine. It is 3.8 I believe as the vin has no m in it. My question is will the starter work still for the 3.8?
Tuesday, August 26th, 2014 AT 6:13 AM

10 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,896 POSTS
We only recommend direct fit parts and repairs. The engine should say what size it is on it. Have you confirmed that it isn't a 3.1?
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Tuesday, August 26th, 2014 AT 6:17 AM
Tiny
MAINEANDY
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
It says 3800 series on engine and the vin does not have a M in it. So yes. I tried to start with fully charged battery, it wouldn't start and smoke started coming from engine compartment. So I didn't know if the starter motor was the culprit. It did fit perfectly no shims or adjustments needed.
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Tuesday, August 26th, 2014 AT 6:24 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,896 POSTS
I just compared the part numbers and they are different for the different motors. Where did the smoke come from?
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Tuesday, August 26th, 2014 AT 5:34 PM
Tiny
MAINEANDY
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
All I could tell is lower engine. The clutch on my ac pump was squealing before so I had a hunch. So I had the wife try to start it as I watched the motor. Sure enough that pulley is not moving so I think it may have been from the friction of the serpentine belt spinning a bit and it not moving. I will still get the proper starter but I feel the reasons for not totally cranking over is the ac pulley not spinning. I guess confirmation from an expert would be what I'm after now. I think this is why I had to replace the old starter in the first place
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Tuesday, August 26th, 2014 AT 5:44 PM
Tiny
MAINEANDY
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Ac compressor sorry
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Tuesday, August 26th, 2014 AT 5:51 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,896 POSTS
Remove the serp belt and see if it starts normally. Also, if you don't want to spend the money on a new compressor (and yes that is where and why the smoke was there) they make bypass pulleys to take the compressor's place.
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Tuesday, August 26th, 2014 AT 5:56 PM
Tiny
MAINEANDY
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Serp off and fired right up no hesitation. Thanks for the help
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Tuesday, August 26th, 2014 AT 6:25 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,896 POSTS
That's what I figured. IF you don't want to replace the compressor because of cost, they do make pulleys that take the place of the compressor. Just a thought.
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Wednesday, August 27th, 2014 AT 5:31 PM
Tiny
BOGLEMIKEY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I have a 1998 Monta Carlo 3.8 it will not start and I have changed Starter, Fuel Pump and Battery, Alternator, Spark plugs
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Sunday, October 11th, 2020 AT 1:19 PM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello, I'm Danny. This is for BOGLEMIKEY.

Since your Monte Carlo won't start after changing those parts then first thing to check is to see if it's getting proper fuel pressure and spark. Here are a few tutorials for you to view:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

If you don't have access to a fuel pressure tester most auto parts stores have a tool loaner program and can rent you one. The fuel pressure specification for your car is 48-55 p.s.i. Is the check engine light on ? Hope this helps and get back to us after performing these tests and we'll go from there. Thanks for using 2CarPros.
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Sunday, October 11th, 2020 AT 9:48 PM

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