Starter Issue
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 686
Likes: 0
From: Southeast
Starter Issue
I've had this ongoing problem in my 71 sbc for quite some time now. My starter was not wanting to turn when it got hot. Sometimes it would crank immediately after driving it, and sometimes it wouldn't. Sometimes after sitting up for a little bit it still won't. It's very random. Anyway, I ended up putting a high torque starter on it, but it ended up being defective and wouldn't turn under load. So I put the other back on. I haven't driven much this summer, but I have the past couple of days because I've had a little more time. It started it again yesterday. Now, is this a starter problem? Or is it just the solenoid? Should I take it for a rebuild? Or should I try another high torque starter? Thanks for the help. I'm about tired of fooling with the darn starter.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Only real way to know for sure if it is electrical or the starter/solenoid is figure out if the solenoid gets power EVERY time you hit the key.
Is this something that happens almost everytime you go out and start it multiple times a day? Of once a week?
The way I have run it down is this:
Make a test light with a brake light bulb and some wire. One wire to ground, the other to the Start wire on the solenoid. Run the light inside and temp mount it somewhere where you can see it.
When you hit the key, the light should light up EVERY time. That will tell you if its the starter/solenoid of the electrical system somewhere. If you hit the key and the light comes on and there is no click, or if it clicks and does not turn over, the starter or the solenoid needs rebuilding. Heat from the manifold sometimes affects the solenoid so it binds in the bore and will not pick up and ir won't even click. Sometimes, its the contack for the starter motor inside the solenoid, in this case, it will click, but not turn over. It coule (rarely) be a dead spot on the starter armature.
Is this something that happens almost everytime you go out and start it multiple times a day? Of once a week?
The way I have run it down is this:
Make a test light with a brake light bulb and some wire. One wire to ground, the other to the Start wire on the solenoid. Run the light inside and temp mount it somewhere where you can see it.
When you hit the key, the light should light up EVERY time. That will tell you if its the starter/solenoid of the electrical system somewhere. If you hit the key and the light comes on and there is no click, or if it clicks and does not turn over, the starter or the solenoid needs rebuilding. Heat from the manifold sometimes affects the solenoid so it binds in the bore and will not pick up and ir won't even click. Sometimes, its the contack for the starter motor inside the solenoid, in this case, it will click, but not turn over. It coule (rarely) be a dead spot on the starter armature.
