This is my first post and could use some advice. Have had an 82 C3 for about a year. Have a new issue. When I start it cold, it cranks a few times and then fires up. The cranks are strong, no issue.

However, after I drive it, park to run into a store, and then come back out, it cranks extrememtly slowly, sounds like it almost won't turn over, but after 2 or 3 very slow (and I mean significantly slow) cranks, it will fire up and run fine.

My first thougth was the battery. So, it has been on a trickle charger. Still have the issue. It is almost every time the car heats up. There are a few times when it has been warmed up and just turned over strong and fine but this is now the exception. Started wondering about the starter??

Came home after a run tonight, shut it down, tried to immediately start it again, almost didn't start. So, I stoped after a crank or two, tried it again. Same thing, then tried it a third time, and it cranked very strong???

A second thought was the alternator. If I fire the engine and let it idol, then backprobe the plug where the wires come out, how many volts should it be reading. If I look at the voltometer in the car, it does increase in volts after the car starts. If it starts at 12, obviously it drops as I crank, but then will rise to 13 or a little hirer.

Still learning and any advice on how to proceed would be appreciated.

Sincere thanks in advance.

Matt

 

Been doing some more reading....is this a starter heat sink issue...

Thanks!

 

I have seen what is referred to as a sulfated battery cause this condition. It seems a sulfated battery after receiving a charge doesnt like releasing full amperage.
I would recommend you stop by an Advanced auto parts and have them run a test on your system. For free they will test the battery,alternator and starter draw. You could have worn brushes in the starter. Check your battery cable connections and the negative battery cable where it bolts the the frame.

 

my first thought would be starter.it starts when cold but does not like to after getting hot .a lot of race cars have that problem ,from heat off the headers.something else that i would check.by the firewall behind passenger valve cover.is a electrical connection.it goes down to the starter .these connections get burnt .

 

i had the same problem. my battery was getting weak. i suggest that you take it in and get it load tested

 

Hello,

Your starter is getting heat soaked. Make sure you have heat deflectors in place that keep the exhaust manifold heat from reaching the starter.

Good Luck,
Douglas in Green Bay

 

It sure smells like heak soak of the starter. 82s arent huge heat producers, so I would bet all my chips on it.

Without knowing the age of your components, I would start by checking/replacing these items:

1) Check for starter heat shield: its small and mostly covering just the electrical area/ solenoid area.
2) Check tightness of electrical connections to starter/battery.
3) Check charge on battery by checking battery voltrage alone:should be 12.3-12.6 and check alternator charge voltage: should be 13.9-14-3 ballpark.
4) Replace Starter, it may be aged and starting to go.
5) Replace Battery, it may be aged and starting to go.
6) Replace alternator if alternator voltage check above is low.

Good Luck & Have fun....

 

Had same issue with my 78 years ago...but in my case it would not crank over at all...(always started cold)....we replaced the solenoid spring on the Delco starter and it has been fine since....and i don't use heat shields...

 

This is great. Love this site. Thanks so much. I'll start with Advanced and have them check the battery/system. I've been under the car and I don't think I have any shielding on the starter. Would be easy to add.

Again, I really appreciate the assistance!!!

 

No, I would say its a bad ground from the negative battery post to the transmission crossmember. Your engine is seeking a ground and its probably going through your auto trans shift cable too. Which by the way may be ready to break and would be worthwhile to check. If there is a gray powder substance on it, you have found t your hard start problems.....These problems or symptoms will make one to believe the battery or starter are bad. Normally wrong and a purchase or two of non refundable parts and those too are blamed as defective and then you go round and round with the seller of the non refundable parts...Underneath the car on the trans crossmember is the spot where to start looking. ..

 

Getting it up on the ramps this afternoon and starting to run down the great leads you guys have provided.

Thanks!

Matt

 

I agree. I had the same problem years ago and it was a ground issue.
Good Luck

 

OK, cleaned up the ground connections, connections on the starter and cleaned up the battery terminals. Hooked everything back up, it starts like it just left the showroom. Never heard it fire so quickly when cold...and as for the issue when its hot, took it for a long run. Put it, in the garage, waited 10 minutes, fired immediately!!! The second the key made contact it was running. Tried it a second time this evening and same result....works GREAT!

THANKS TO EVERYONE!!! It is much appreciated. I'm a novice but I love working on this car....had a fun afternoon running this down. Especially nice when you get such a dramatic result.