The Patient: 80 Vette

Stopped in to look at some Vette's at Dream Restorations, Moyock, NC, on the way back from the beach Sunday. My wife stayed in the car with the AC on, while someone showed me around (about 15 minutes). When I got back in the car to leave, I put it in reverse to back out and it died. I restarted once, moved a few feet, then it died again. When I turned the key again, nothing happened - had lights, radio, fan, etc. but no sound at all from the starter. Not even the old click-click-click you hear from a low battery - nothing.

We put jumper cables on it, but it made no difference. Lights worked, radio, etc. but no starter noise. After about 15 minutes of looking at the engine, you know, tighten the wing nut on the breather, make sure the oil dip stick is all the way in, plus the old stare at it until it works look, I got in and it started right up! (These never worked before, but our wives expect it !)

It was quite a relief but it left a really big question - what happened ???

I assume something overheated, but what ? Ideas ????????

Bob

First problem I would suggest looking at would be the Neutral-Safety switch. Was it all the way in park? Did you try NEUTRAL instead of PARK?

Is it a 4-speed? There's a clutch switch.

These would not explain the stall. That's a different issue. But they would definitely explain why everything worked but the starter.

one time another patient had some simliar symptoms that were fixed by a new starter/solenoid. may not be your problem, but might want to eliminate it with tests . . .

Just to follow up, it was tried in both Park and Neutral - No Difference.

Bob

My '76 used to give me fits with a hot start problem- Cold, it would start right up & run like a bat out of hell- After 15 mins. & say I'd stop to gas up, the beast would not restart, no starter grinding, just click- Give it 15 or 20 min. to cool & it started like a champ- Promblem was caused by timing being too advanced- Retard it a hair & it was a bat no longer but could be depended on to start- By the way, I changed out a LOT of starters before the mystery was solved- Good luck!

I vote for replacing the solenoid.

These can be touchy issues. But I'd vote for the starter/solenoid area. Hot battery, accessories all working, jump did not help, did not do anything to fix, then starts right up. Hot Start Problem.

Now why you stalled is another issue.

If this is your first time experiencing a Hot Start issue, it only gets worse over time.

Many different approaches including new, not rebuild, GM starter/solenoid set, heat shield, remote solenoid or mini starter. I tried them all except the remote solenoid. I was about to do the remote solenoid but bought the mini starter instead. Funny thing is I gave the engine bay a good steaming to begin some fixes and wouldn't you know it, I haven't had the problem happen in a while now. I figure as long as I keep the mini starter in the box in plain view, my problems will stay hidden.

I had the same issue a few weeks ago. I started by replacing the solenoid ($26.00). This did not do the trick so I had the starter replaced. No issues since!

I agree it sounds like a starter problem. Have seen this before on my other cars. Good luck..

Probably starter got hot, cooled off after several minutes, then started working again. This happens more with headers if they are close to the starter. I've seen it happen many times.

Good luck!!

Had this problem on my 71 El Camino. I put in a mini-starter and all was well.