C3 intermittent starter issue
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
C3 intermittent starter issue
Just converted my 75 vert to a stock factory BW T-10 and all went well. What's happening is that sometimes the starter engages and somtimes it doesn't. USUALLY is starts better cold but sometimes it doesn't matter, at least it push starts...but it's usally when
I get the "Hey, nice 'vette" with the thumbs up.
There isn't always a "click" from the solinoid when it doesn't crank.
Heat soak??? Fusable link??? Ignition switch on the bottom of the steering column?
Sure could use your help!
Thanks, Larry
I get the "Hey, nice 'vette" with the thumbs up.
There isn't always a "click" from the solinoid when it doesn't crank.
Heat soak??? Fusable link??? Ignition switch on the bottom of the steering column?
Sure could use your help!
Thanks, Larry
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 282
From: Back in Nebraska
I had a 1976 L-82 many years ago. I had a starting problem as well. It turned out to be the starter/solenoid would get hot and not engage till it cooled. A friend of mine at the time fashioned a sheet metal shroud that fit around the starter. Problem solved. Good luck!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
Thanks for you replys guys.
Here is what I did.....I dropped the starter and re-installed the starter shim that I didn't put back in...and I snipped off the less-than-perfect G.M. connector at the red starter wire and added a stake-on pinch connector. I don't know which change gave me success but the starter now cranks everytime.
I am going to wrap the headers in heat wrap just to reduce the heat under the hood and that will be good just to get rid of it.
Thanks again, Larry
Here is what I did.....I dropped the starter and re-installed the starter shim that I didn't put back in...and I snipped off the less-than-perfect G.M. connector at the red starter wire and added a stake-on pinch connector. I don't know which change gave me success but the starter now cranks everytime.
I am going to wrap the headers in heat wrap just to reduce the heat under the hood and that will be good just to get rid of it.
Thanks again, Larry
1st Gear
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
1976 starter overheat? issues
Same issue with my 76. I put in a small form factor starter, and when hot, it was dead. Let it cool off and all was ok, and sometimes had to tap the starter as if it had a flat spot and yes, sometimes not even a click. Wrapped in a starter blanket to help with header heat, seemed to help for about 2 months longer than the other starter, now doing the same thing again. I am about to install the 3rd starter in 3 months....not out any money as Ecklers handles well and credits my purchase, but it is aggravating, and as noted, usually occurs while someone is complimenting the car. Am placing a call to NSA (starter manufacturer) to see if they can offer any advice. Will post if anything good from them.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
clean the short negative ground frame connection under the seat to the battery....starters do not operate once and then later don't work and by magic restart....ALL STARTERS get hot and are built to withstand heat and work in spite of heat....and your on your third starter!. .....forget that back alley phrase of heat soak and clean up your battery connections....cars will seek ground anywhere it can find it, and not always is it sufficient to roll a engine over fast enough to start.......
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,317
Likes: 111
From: St Louis MO
clean the short negative ground frame connection under the seat to the battery....starters do not operate once and then later don't work and by magic restart....ALL STARTERS get hot and are built to withstand heat and work in spite of heat....and your on your third starter!. .....forget that back alley phrase of heat soak and clean up your battery connections....cars will seek ground anywhere it can find it, and not always is it sufficient to roll a engine over fast enough to start.......
Often the much mis-diagnosed heat soak is due to excessive resistance (corrosion) in the wiring circuit from the distribution block to the crank switch, to the connector(s), and finally to the starter solenoid. Fix this and it'll crank!
Test case: Install an extra starter pushbutton under the hood wired directly with 12 gauge wires to the "S" terminal and to the battery terminal on the solenoid. Whenever it won't crank, open the hood and press this button - betcha it's not heat soak!
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