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1978 Pace Car Starting Problem
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 157
Likes: 1
1978 Pace Car Starting Problem
What can the issue be when the car won't start after it is warmed up and then won't re-start sometimes?
Can't take it anywhere because because it is not dependable.
Car has 13K on it, never seen rain, a rebuilt HD starter installed 2 years ago, and a starter heat shield installed but it still is not reliable after it gets up to operating temperature is shut off then sometimes won't re-start unless you leave it for 1-2 hours and it cools down a bit.
The car runs 180 degrees and never boils over.
Very fustrating!
What can it be?
Can't take it anywhere because because it is not dependable.
Car has 13K on it, never seen rain, a rebuilt HD starter installed 2 years ago, and a starter heat shield installed but it still is not reliable after it gets up to operating temperature is shut off then sometimes won't re-start unless you leave it for 1-2 hours and it cools down a bit.
The car runs 180 degrees and never boils over.
Very fustrating!
What can it be?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,140
Likes: 7
From: Ohio
What can the issue be when the car won't start after it is warmed up and then won't re-start sometimes?
Can't take it anywhere because because it is not dependable.
Car has 13K on it, never seen rain, a rebuilt HD starter installed 2 years ago, and a starter heat shield installed but it still is not reliable after it gets up to operating temperature is shut off then sometimes won't re-start unless you leave it for 1-2 hours and it cools down a bit.
The car runs 180 degrees and never boils over.
Very fustrating!
What can it be?
Can't take it anywhere because because it is not dependable.
Car has 13K on it, never seen rain, a rebuilt HD starter installed 2 years ago, and a starter heat shield installed but it still is not reliable after it gets up to operating temperature is shut off then sometimes won't re-start unless you leave it for 1-2 hours and it cools down a bit.
The car runs 180 degrees and never boils over.
Very fustrating!
What can it be?
Look in the carb when you shut it off and see if gas is running into the intake. Check the timing.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
You probably have a bad ground, everything else could be OK. The one i`m referring to is from the battery to the frame attached to the transmission crossmember under the car....Just clean that one first. Could save time and money to check it. Sure is easier that removing a starter needlessly.
I do find that very few would check this and prefer to blame the starter....
I do find that very few would check this and prefer to blame the starter....
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 157
Likes: 1
Maybe I did not make it clear...after you shut ot off it will not crank say when you come out of a store...just nothing but dash lights when you turn the key. Gas and timing does not have anything to do with it since it wont even crank until it is cooled down.
Also if it is a ground, why won't it start only when it is hot..? It has never failed to start when it is cold??
Also if it is a ground, why won't it start only when it is hot..? It has never failed to start when it is cold??
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,140
Likes: 7
From: Ohio
Try to jump start it. If it starts the battery is bad,usally the problem. Remove any in line battery shut off and test start. Check the ground cable at the frame as others have said. Check the positive cable at the starter to see if the cable is frayed. Last if the ignition is too far advanced it will crank hard when hot.
Last resort get mad and sell it too me for cheap.
Lyle
Last resort get mad and sell it too me for cheap.
Lyle
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,946
Likes: 28
From: Long Beach CA
You can use a large screwdriver or similar piece of metal to jump the battery connection on the starter to the ignition input to see if that makes it crank. If not, the starter must be bad.
And/or carry a voltmeter with you and see if you're getting voltage to the starter when someone turns the ignition switch for you. It could be a problem in the harness or firewall connectors that's causing an intermittent open between the ignition switch and the starter.
And/or carry a voltmeter with you and see if you're getting voltage to the starter when someone turns the ignition switch for you. It could be a problem in the harness or firewall connectors that's causing an intermittent open between the ignition switch and the starter.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,372
Likes: 223
From: Beecher Illinois
I had the exact same problem with my 12K mile white79 when I drove it home 1000 miles after buying it! Had a guy try to jump it for me on the trip but no luck, 10 minutes later it started right up after I tugged on the cables. They WERE tight. Previous owner always disconnected the + cable for storage and I was doing the same on the trip home.
One of the first things I did when home was disconnect the + cable at the battery to safely remove an aftermarket alarm system. I had thought the alarm might be the problem. Hooked the + battery cable back up and it did it again. Disconnected the - cable and reconnected it TIGHT and haven't had a problem in 3 years. If I had just disconnected THAT cable on my trip it would have been a much more enjoyable ride!
One of the first things I did when home was disconnect the + cable at the battery to safely remove an aftermarket alarm system. I had thought the alarm might be the problem. Hooked the + battery cable back up and it did it again. Disconnected the - cable and reconnected it TIGHT and haven't had a problem in 3 years. If I had just disconnected THAT cable on my trip it would have been a much more enjoyable ride
!
Last edited by KapsSA; Jan 28, 2009 at 08:50 PM.
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