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Old Apr 16, 2011 | 12:26 PM
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Default Starter Question- Hot Start-Problem

1980 L48 Auto

Last summer I have been dealing with a situation where on hot days when I start the vehicle first time no problem-normal cranking and start. Once the vehicle is hot and I shut it down and let it set for 10 minutes and try and start- I get nothing no crank no click. I hook up jumper cables and it immediately cranks over and starts or if I let the car sit for an hour and cools down it starts.

In the reasearch on this forum I thought I have a bad solenoid and was prepared to take the starter out today and replace the solenoid.

In that process when I went to remove the battery cable and red wires I found the nut that secures them was not loose but did not take much torque to loosen.

So here is my question- would this loose (low torque nut) cause the scenario above?

I do not have much electrical knowledge so some expert input here would be greatly appreciated

One more thing I have checked the battery cable from end to end and have looked for corrosion it appears to be good from end to end

Thanks
Darrel

Last edited by Darrel1; Apr 16, 2011 at 12:33 PM.
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Old Apr 16, 2011 | 01:23 PM
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Remove and clean the ground cable under the car, then tighten it up.....
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Old Apr 16, 2011 | 06:18 PM
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Originally Posted by Ironcross
Remove and clean the ground cable under the car, then tighten it up.....
This is a common issue with these vehicles especially if one has headers. For some reason, a lot of the remaned starter solenoids cannot overcome the heat resistance in order to engage the starter. Use a dvom to measure voltage drop when the starter is engaged a reading between .26-.29v is within an acceptable range. The two points in the circuit are the -battery terminal and the starter housing. (shop manuals do not have a specific spec regarding this) Then measure the voltage drop while cranking it should be about .5v. The two points in the circuit will be the + battery terminal and the and the battery cable on the starter to measure the voltage drop while cranking. The ignition system must be disabled to conduct these voltage drop measurements. Hope this helps and if incorrect, others will offer opinions and alternative solutions.

Last edited by Oldguard 7; Apr 16, 2011 at 06:25 PM.
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Old Apr 16, 2011 | 07:11 PM
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Yes Sir; just install a Ford starter solenoid. Summit remote mount solenoid kit for GM starter systems Part #SUM-G1750 People who race their cars have been doing this for years & it cures a variety of problems associated with the GM vehicle's starter system. Have a great day. Gene
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Old Apr 17, 2011 | 08:54 AM
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Could be the connections (nothing that simple ever seems to work for me), but it is probably time to replace the solenoid and make sure the stock heat shield is in place.

Gary
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Old Apr 17, 2011 | 05:15 PM
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I just put an aftermarket heatshield on it.problem solved.it mounts using the stock starter bolts.
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Old Apr 17, 2011 | 08:31 PM
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Many times the timing being to far advanced is the problem. The tach cable puts psessure on the distributer and over time can slowly advance the timing if hold down clamp is not fully tightened. The advanced timing will cause the car to be hard to start when hot.
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Old Apr 18, 2011 | 09:25 AM
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Originally Posted by rugerm44
I just put an aftermarket heatshield on it.problem solved.it mounts using the stock starter bolts.
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Old Apr 19, 2011 | 11:57 AM
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Originally Posted by Duke94
Could be the connections (nothing that simple ever seems to work for me), but it is probably time to replace the solenoid and make sure the stock heat shield is in place.

Gary
Does anyone have a picture of this stock heatrshield- mine does not have one.
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Old Apr 19, 2011 | 11:58 AM
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Originally Posted by hdpete98
Many times the timing being to far advanced is the problem. The tach cable puts psessure on the distributer and over time can slowly advance the timing if hold down clamp is not fully tightened. The advanced timing will cause the car to be hard to start when hot.
My issue is that when it is hot- and I try and start there is nothing- no engine rotation - no click click click.

But as soon as I put jumper cables on it starts right up.
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Old Apr 19, 2011 | 01:22 PM
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I have mine in the dealer now to cure a similar problem. timing was too far advanced but it still does it. slow turning over when hot. Maybe I need a heat shield as well. Where did you get an aftermarket one?
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Old Apr 19, 2011 | 03:14 PM
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Summit racing.
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Old Apr 19, 2011 | 03:25 PM
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Originally Posted by rugerm44
Summit racing.
thanks I will check it out. I knew I have seen them somewhere. I checked ecklers and Mid America and didnt see them.
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Old Apr 19, 2011 | 03:39 PM
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Buddy of mine had same prob with his 80, changed out several starters over the years, turned out to be a degraged inline connector in the harness 18'' or so above the starter.
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Old Apr 19, 2011 | 04:33 PM
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Heat shield will help I had the same problem
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Old Apr 19, 2011 | 05:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Darrel1
Does anyone have a picture of this stock heatrshield- mine does not have one.
You can see it in the middle toward the right Between the exhaust pipe heat riser and the solenoid. It covers the terminal end of the solenoid. All the parts Suppliers sell them.

Gary

Last edited by Duke94; Apr 19, 2011 at 05:07 PM.
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Old Apr 30, 2011 | 10:49 AM
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Default Hot Start

Had about the same problem with my 73. Went thru about everything you can imagine: battery, alternator, ground cables battery, ground calbes on motor, ground calble to exhaust system, starter, stater solenoid, starter blanket, timing, you name it, I checked it or replaced it.. First check all the above if all apear OK, try this. With the engine cold put an amp meter on your starter wire to the starter solenoid at the starter. Check the amps and voltage with the engine cold. Repeat the process with the engine hot. This is where I found my problems. It was in the wire that ran from starter switch to the solenoid. There was a break in this wire. As the harness heater up, the wire would separate and no amps would flow to the solenoid.I fought this for several years.
Good luck.
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