GS057

So I got in the car on Monday and hit the start button and nothing but a click. Voltage was at 11.4 so I purchased a new optima battery to replace the AC Delco. Jumped in and still just a click sound when I hit the start button. Hooked up the battery maintainer overnight. The next morning hit the start button and just a click. Hit it again and it fired right up. Let it idle for a while then shut her down. Again hit the start button and just a click sound. Hit is again and it started. When i came home tonight she fired right up on the first try. Do I have a starter going bad? No issues before this week. Car has 12,000 miles supercharged with long tube headers. Any help would be appropriated. voltage now is between 13.5 and 14.5.

RicK T

Especially with headers I think it's probably a good time to closely inspect the starter and cables. Could just be the cables and/or connections but with all that heat the starter solenoid housing gets brittle and the post just breaks off. It can look fine on casual inspection.

See the video link in post 1 here after reading his story:

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...d-starter.html

EVRose

I would check the battery cable at the starter. Headers are close to it and will melt the connection on the solenoid.

Rick types faster than me.

Dano523

Not really a melt thing since the end cap of the starter solenoid is Backlite, but more a heat shatter and crank one of the lugs off the solenoid end cap instead.

GS057

Found the problem. Thanks for the help.

RicK T

Hey, that looks familiar!

schpenxel

That'll do it!

GS057

GS only had 12,000 miles on it. About 9,000 with the headers. I added a dei heat shield wrap on the starter. Is this pretty normal acurance if you run headers?

GS057

GS only had 12,000 miles on it. About 9,000 with the headers. I added a dei heat shield wrap on the starter. Is this pretty normal acurance if you run headers?

RicK T

Yes......sometimes even without headers.

stein3282

Did you have to drop the x-pipe and header to get starter out? I am going through the exact same thing. About 5000 miles with longtubes.

Dano523

Do us a favor,
When you go to the starter shop to get a new starter starter solenoid to fit the starter, list the part number and brand off the box for it that the shop uses to replace the old one!!!!!

GM does not sell just the starter solenoid alone (have to buy the entire starter), and would be nice to have a brand and part number to list for anyone that does not have the option of just hitting up a starter shop to have them swap it out on the old starter (so they can just order on from amazon instead to swap themselves).

GS057

Removed all bolts and moved it out of the way. Was able to maneuver the starter out. I did not have to remove the header out of the engine bay.

Aggie_engr

Have you had the DEI heat shield on since the headers were installed? Or has this been recently installed after the solenoid failure.

stein3282

Thanks. Did it 2 days ago like you said. I also put a DEI heat shield on my starter. Only drove the car for 2 days since the change out without any problems.
I threw the replacement solenoid box away and didn't get the part number. Sry

GS057

The dei heat shield is a new addition. Starter Did not have any shielding before.

BillytheKidder

That looks like heat caused by a high resistance (loose) connection. I must admit I am new to C6s and am not familiar with the closeness of the header/solenoid.