Won't Start
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: SW Florida
Won't Start
Occasionally, after a long drive, 1 hour or so, i parked my 78 and it won't restart. It's like a dead battery. The battery is new (4 months old). I jump start it and it starts up immediately. I keep a portable battery charge with me now because I never know when it won't start. My mechanic suggested a dead spot in the starter. I'm trying to figure out if this happens when I use the a/c, or when I don't. The other day I returned from a long drive, parked the car in the garage and tried starting it again within a minute. Won't start. The following morning I tried starting it and it turned over like nothing was wrong. What could be going on??
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,809
From: Cool Northern Michigan
Your enemy is heat. You have to figure which electronics is not liking the heat.
Most of your wiring is copper. It expands and contracts with every ride and that expansion is creating a poor circuit. Most likely a GRD cable and there are a few on C3s.
They need occasional attention by ways of removal, wire brush and reattach tightly.
Another item that suffers from heat is the starter solenoid. They wear out about six times more frequently than than the starter itself.
Fortunately, that is a fairly easy and cheap removal / replace. If you need to to swap out the unit, get the better quality one with brown terminal cap. Those are ceramic and handle the heat better.
And check to see if the starter heat shield is in place.
Most of your wiring is copper. It expands and contracts with every ride and that expansion is creating a poor circuit. Most likely a GRD cable and there are a few on C3s.
They need occasional attention by ways of removal, wire brush and reattach tightly.
Another item that suffers from heat is the starter solenoid. They wear out about six times more frequently than than the starter itself.
Fortunately, that is a fairly easy and cheap removal / replace. If you need to to swap out the unit, get the better quality one with brown terminal cap. Those are ceramic and handle the heat better.
And check to see if the starter heat shield is in place.
Last edited by HeadsU.P.; Sep 5, 2021 at 06:02 PM.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,114
Likes: 9,242
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Headsup makes a good point. But I would just disconnect and clean all the terminals on the starter while you are under there. Its closet to the exhaust and it could just be the solenoid trip wire. No crank means your solenoid its getting the start signal. could be ground or power
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: SW Florida
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,809
From: Cool Northern Michigan
That poor-poor starter / solenoid. It gets some of the heat off the block. Some of the heat off of the exhaust. And really doesn't receive much air circulation in a small, cramped engine bay.
That is why the original had a heat shield. But you can go the aftermarket route also. Especially when headers are involved.
I believe I have a Thermo-Tech? blanket-wrap from Summit. Wraps around both starter / solenoid AND protects the wires / cable at that location too. It came with two stainless steel giant zip-tie clamps.
That is why the original had a heat shield. But you can go the aftermarket route also. Especially when headers are involved.
I believe I have a Thermo-Tech? blanket-wrap from Summit. Wraps around both starter / solenoid AND protects the wires / cable at that location too. It came with two stainless steel giant zip-tie clamps.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski