Starter Problem
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: El Paso Texas
Starter Problem
My car (56 C-1) always starts when its cold, but lately if I drive it for a while it gets hot and it wont start. I have cleaned the cables and posts and checked all related wires. Voltage at battery is 13.46 hot or cold. Anybody out there who has suffered this please help. Thanks in advance.
Ernie
Ernie
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,749
Likes: 776
From: Dadeville AL
How about a few more hints. Does the starter turn over normally? When you look down the carburetor and move the throttle full open one time, does fuel spray down? Has it ever stopped while running, or does it only fail to start after having been shut down? Do you know what vapor lock is?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: El Paso Texas
Originally Posted by kellsdad
How about a few more hints. Does the starter turn over normally? When you look down the carburetor and move the throttle full open one time, does fuel spray down? Has it ever stopped while running, or does it only fail to start after having been shut down? Do you know what vapor lock is?
The engine won't turn. The carburator is fine and its not a vapor lock problem. Sometimes nothing happens and other times it wants to turn but drags heavy and wont turn even a full turn. I'm starting to think its time for a re-build. The strange part about it is, it never gave me a warning,, it just appeared out of nowhere. Thanks again,,,,,,,,,
Ernie
CF Senile Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,738
Likes: 2
From: Central Plains
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by GCD1962
If cables are o.k. and of the proper size, then it is probably time for a proper rebuild
If it won't turn, or turns slowly, it probably needs new bushings, brushes and possibly starter drive. Good luck.
Dave
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 8,913
Likes: 283
Agree - if it turns but real slow, time for a rebuild.
Not engaging at all, is sometimes a symptom of a bad solenoid.
Find a starter/alternator repair shop in your area and have it re-built. Around here a rebuild is about $65.00 for everything.
Or, just park on the top of a hill when you shut it off
Mark
Not engaging at all, is sometimes a symptom of a bad solenoid.
Find a starter/alternator repair shop in your area and have it re-built. Around here a rebuild is about $65.00 for everything.
Or, just park on the top of a hill when you shut it off
Mark
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,817
Likes: 21
From: Somerset, NJ
I have rebuilt my own starters and alternators for years. Most of the time a new solonoid will do the trick on your starter but once you take it down you really need to check out the brushes and if need be replace them and clean and regrease the unit. You can always tell when a starters drive is going bad and that is not the case in your situation you are having by what you have mentioned. You usually get a zinging noise coming from the starter drive when they go bad.
Sometimes the problem you just mentioned may only be a loose wire at the solonoid. Have seen this happen plenty of times. I actually had this same problem on my C2. I put it up on my lift and found the battery cable to be loose at the terminal on the solonoid about 6 months ago. Tightened it up and have been good to go ever since.
Sometimes the problem you just mentioned may only be a loose wire at the solonoid. Have seen this happen plenty of times. I actually had this same problem on my C2. I put it up on my lift and found the battery cable to be loose at the terminal on the solonoid about 6 months ago. Tightened it up and have been good to go ever since.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 14,984
Likes: 185
From: CT
Not worth fooling around with other stuff. If it's that old and hasn't been rebuilt in a long time, give it the full treatment, not just brushes, new bendix, etc. I send mine to precision auto in Mi. they tear down completely, check the fields and epoxy coat them, check and turn down armature, powercoat the case, all new bearings, new bendix, solenoid - doing everything at once ensures many more years of service. No sense to do part now, another part next year, another part the year after, etc.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,800
Likes: 2
From: Fairless Hills PA.
Does your Vette have headers? Some times they are to close to the starter and the heat will cause you problems. Is your Vette is modified?
If so, a F-rd selonoid mounted away from the headers on the firewall or inner fender will work. This is what I did with my Pro Street Nova.
Good Luck.
If so, a F-rd selonoid mounted away from the headers on the firewall or inner fender will work. This is what I did with my Pro Street Nova.
Good Luck.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: El Paso Texas
Thanks for all your advise! The starter has been fixed by a local electrical shop here in El Paso that I have been doing business with for approx 20 yrs. They said the old starter needed a complete overhaul which they did for $85.00. It works great now ond no more problems.
To answer 65 CONVT,,, my Vette is not modified and does not have headers. Thanks again,,,
Ernie
To answer 65 CONVT,,, my Vette is not modified and does not have headers. Thanks again,,,
Ernie
