Hot start problem....starter looks new!!!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 368
Likes: 1
From: Lititz PA
Hot start problem....starter looks new!!!
Hello all,
My 79 auto is a real bugger to start when hot. I know sounds like heat damage to the starter motor! I ordered a new starter and removed my old one. Problem is the starter I removed looks newish. A fellow who looked at the car a while back noticed " you have a remote power distribution block from summit" (its mounted on the firewall) "the guy before you must have been trying to get better hot starts".
So here is my question, can the wiring associated with the starter be causing hot start problems? (The car will barely crank when hot). Or is it most likely the starter? I have an heat shield blanket from Mid-America and that seemed to help with my old starter.
Cheers
Andy
My 79 auto is a real bugger to start when hot. I know sounds like heat damage to the starter motor! I ordered a new starter and removed my old one. Problem is the starter I removed looks newish. A fellow who looked at the car a while back noticed " you have a remote power distribution block from summit" (its mounted on the firewall) "the guy before you must have been trying to get better hot starts".
So here is my question, can the wiring associated with the starter be causing hot start problems? (The car will barely crank when hot). Or is it most likely the starter? I have an heat shield blanket from Mid-America and that seemed to help with my old starter.
Cheers
Andy
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
It's the starter.......
I had the same problem, even tried a heat shield which did not work at all....
I talked to the previous owner and he said the starter was brand new, maybe 6 months old... it was a 'el cheapo' $39 starter.... I bought a high torque starter and the problem went away.... well, it's $150 but it works.....
I had the same problem, even tried a heat shield which did not work at all....
I talked to the previous owner and he said the starter was brand new, maybe 6 months old... it was a 'el cheapo' $39 starter.... I bought a high torque starter and the problem went away.... well, it's $150 but it works.....
Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 687
Likes: 0
From: Atascadero Ca
I"ve seen problems with wiring cause problems, but usually if its a wiring issue the car won't crank hot or cold. Take a small length of wire and make sure the car is in park or neutral if you've got a 4 speed, find that remote solenoid from summit your friend was talking about and figure out which side is hot all the time. Now warm up the car and get it where your starter won't turn. Take the hot all the time connection on that solenoid and jump it to the small port on the solenoid, the one with the small gauge wire running down to the starter, this will ensure full voltage is being given to the starter. If the starter cranks you've got a wiring issue, if the starter does its usual problem you've got a heat soak issue. I bought a high torque ministarter for about 90 bucks on ebay brand new and have it wrapped in a heat shield, never given me any problems.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 509
Likes: 15
From: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
My 80 would not start when the motor was hot, but when it cooled down a marginal amount it started no problem....the problem was the wire/metal part from the starter that bolts on to the celoniod was shorting out. The solution was to put in a new $ 0.02 rubber grommet that the wire goes through on the starter part and it is all good. I hope this helps....
Darcy
Darcy
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 213
Likes: 1
From: zanesville ohio
Did the same thing on my 77 after i rebuilt the engine replaced everything except starter and alternator because they looked new. First time i fired her up the alternator went first time out the starter. Had the starter rebuilt rather than buy a rebuilt from a discount auto parts store .Was told by the shop that alot of rebuilt starter that you get at the discount stores dont use copper windings and stuff. No problems since it was rebuilt!
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
I had the same problem too....guess what it was? Battery wires! Mine were dirty and corroded. I cleaned up the terminals with baking soda, put $2.00 new terminal lugs on there, and PRESTO...no problems since. NOTE: I am NOT running a mini-starter, nor do I have a heat shield installed...but now get great hot starts. Try this....it's (almost) a free fix!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 12,065
Likes: 2
From: Smalltownville Michigan
Cruise-In 5, 6 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
If it isnt the starter wires or the starter itself, look at the main power line that goes to the fuse panel. The bubba that owned mine before my dad taught me that lesson!
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Advanced
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
i had the same problem
i had the same problem. i couldnt even get the motor to do anything when i turned the key. wait 15 min and i was good to go. I had to replace the started because when the older ( or it appears) even the newer ones get too hot they just plain do not work. the solenoid gets too hot and gets stuck closed or something to that like. i fixed my problem by replacing the started and protecting it with a heat shield. never had a problem since.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,493
Likes: 1,501
From: Little Rock AR
This is a job for FORD SOLENOID MAN! 
You see it more with headers and on cars with old tired wiring. Some people like the mini-starter solution for this problem. I like the Ford relay solution because it costs a lot less. Either way works but both are band-aids. You should check all the connections first but if that does not cure it, go with one of the above and be done with it. People have been fighting this issue for a LONG time.
-Mark.
You see it more with headers and on cars with old tired wiring. Some people like the mini-starter solution for this problem. I like the Ford relay solution because it costs a lot less. Either way works but both are band-aids. You should check all the connections first but if that does not cure it, go with one of the above and be done with it. People have been fighting this issue for a LONG time.
-Mark.
