Big Bird 88

So there I am driving to the Autozone to get a Radiator drain plug (just in case for when I flush the coolant)

Outside was 91 degrees and there was some traffic. Journey about 8 miles. Coolant Temp went to 239 and oil was the same within a few.

Car was running fine and these temps crept up slowly at stop lights etc.
Ive had the car just over a month and this is about the hottest weather I have driven in.

Got to the parts store and surprise, no drain plug but that's another story. So I get out to the car and it wont start. NOT a VATS issue, it has been bypassed and the security light went out when I turned the ignition on. The battery light, emergency brake light and I think coolant light came on. Nothing. Guy brings out jump box, still no deal.

Only thing different is the high temp. When I turn the ignition to on, I hear the secondary fan running.

I let it set for about 10 mins , hood up and go to start, Starts. Temp is down around 219 on the coolant. Driving home the back roads the coolant gets back down to usual 189 - 191 level and oil temp is back down to 199 - 200.

Read the codes, nothing, it did not throw one.

Any thoughts ?

cv67

Would not staart meaning it was cranking over or starter wouldnt go period

Big Bird 88

Turn key and nothing..No bad battery clicking or nothing.

then 10 mins later starts first crank and runs fine.

cv67

If all your starter/battery cables are snug and clean might look towards a hot solenoid, its a start

RWDsmoke

I had the no start sometimes problem with my 86. Wouldn't start at Walgreen's but while I was troubleshooting the best I could in the parking lot I tried again and it started. Worked fine for a few days then did it again. Finally failed to start at home with a volt meter handy and time to work on it. I traced it to the VATS relay.(behind the center of the dash) Even with VATS bypassed it has to make the relay. I popped the cover off and put a small zip tie around it to hold the contacts in and never had a problem since.

VikingTrad3r

handy trick thanks for that.

BOOT77

Sounds like a bad connection at some point or a fusible link about to go.

Big Bird 88

RWDsmoke,
Security light went out when I put the key in and turned the ignition on. That's tells me no VATS.

I'll keep an eye on it. Anyone think the heat had anything to do with it ?

Hey what is the normal operating or safe operating temp range (coolant or oil) in a 1988 C4?

antfarmer2

Clean and inspect battery cables.

Big Bird 88

Will do. Thanks.

GQ-ROD

Check the wires going to the starter, if they are corroded you will have a no start or poor hot start, clean the connections, check for broken missing insulation on these wires it's crucial.

2ooo-C5

Its possible for a starter to not work when hot. Not very likely on a stock car but possible. Lot more likely if you have headers. Not very hard to test. Let the car sit in your drive way and get hot. Shut it off and try to restart it. Do this 3 times. letting the car sit turned off for about 5 min between tries. The car will heat soak and get hotter when off. This will stress the starter. I had a very far from stock Camaro that ate starters. I would get about 3 starts after it did what yours did. Finally went with a $400 starter, (not MSD) and it never had the issue again.

I think its more likely the VATS

Black LS2

Start with VATS Relay, then starter connections...you will nail it.

Big Bird 88

Based on the security light I would have to say not a VATS issue. When I put the key in the ignition and turned to on the security light went out. Previously when I had a VATS issue the light would stay on and I knew it would not start.

antfarmer2

If the cables and links are good smack the starter. If it starts time to rebuild. Do not replace if original. If you do keep the old one.

Benny42

This is a text book definition of a VATS issue. How did you bypass it? If you put a resistor in the harness by the steering column, what tolerance resistor did you use? If you miss it by a little or even a full step, they start sometimes.

Benny42

238* or so is normal. Oil a bit higher

toricred

I had the same thing happen to me yesterday after I voted. I haven't bypassed the VATS so it is a little different. I fiddled with wires after attempting to jump start, tried the jump start again and it worked perfectly. I'm guessing one of the wires I wiggled is the problem, but none of them had a connection problem.

Big Bird 88

The VATS was bypassed with a bypass unit purchased from midamerica. I can start the car with a non vats key.

I had never seen it run that hot but I have only had it a short while. I guess the temps were ok.
Radiator coolant flush happening Friday.
I will keep an eye on the starter and prob confirm battery cables and battery tomorrow.

antfarmer2