My understanding is that when the starter goes, you get very little warning.

I stopped at the bank on my way home from work and when I got back in and turned the key, my Diablo attempted to turn over for about 1/2 a second and then tanked. Radio and lights still worked so I figure it's the starter. Does this sound about right? If so it'll be the first one I've changed so any hints and tips would be appreciated. anything else I should check first? It's an 81 with stock 305.

Thanks in advanced.

In my experience, the starter USUALLY DOES NOT FAIL WITHOUT SOME WARNING. The only exception is when the electric motor brushes suddenly fail because of excessive wear. When brushes suddenly fail without warning, you can easily test this condition. Simply take an axe or heavy sledge hammer and hit the starter a couple of hard licks from underneath the car while someone is turning the ignition key to "start". Sounds crazy, but I have never seen it fail. I learned this trick from a tow truck driver.

But usually, when starters begin to fail, they will give you prior warning. They will sporatically act up. They will sometimes turn slowly (especially with a hot engine) or will sometimes make a grinding noise when the starter drive begins to weaken, or it can become very loud during starting operations. Most likely though, you have a battery failing or bad electrical connections at the battery, starter or ground. Be sure to check the electricals first. It's a heck of a lot easier and cheaper than replacing the starter.

Good luck.

I would agree with spoonplugger. Most likely a poor connection somewhere or the battery. One thing I found on mine was that the negative cable from the battery went to the alternator bracket. I had the same problem you described and the end result was to take the negative cable from the battery and attach it to the engine block.

Just my 2 cents.......

thanks, I had the tow truck guy do the same thing and nothing happened. must be a universal tow truck thing. I'll check my connections :-D

Thanks Spoon and thanks 72. turns out it was a bad ground connection. You guys saved me a headache. there's not a lot of room around there and I'm not looking forward to the day that the starter does go.

thanks again :D

Glad you found the problem. I hate to admit it, but I changed a battery and the starter before I found the bad ground. I learned the hard way.

Glad you found the problem without pulling the starter. This forum is worth its weight in gold!

I changed my ground to the blocka few years ago, it does make a difference. There is a bolt hole just above the fuel pump that works great.