Starter?
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Starter?
Hello, friends!
Picked up our "new" 77 last night and drove it about 50 miles and stopped by the office for a minute or two. Came out and it appeared the starter would not work.
Called AAA. They tested the battery which appears to be new and it was fine. They even gave it a jump with one of those portable box things. No dice.
I've read online that my starter could be suffering from heat soak? I guess I'll know more when I get to the office in about two hours and try and turn her over.
In any event, if it's NOT the starter, what could it be? Plenty of juice for the windows, radio, wipers etc.
Thanks! I look forward to your feedback!
Picked up our "new" 77 last night and drove it about 50 miles and stopped by the office for a minute or two. Came out and it appeared the starter would not work.
Called AAA. They tested the battery which appears to be new and it was fine. They even gave it a jump with one of those portable box things. No dice.
I've read online that my starter could be suffering from heat soak? I guess I'll know more when I get to the office in about two hours and try and turn her over.
In any event, if it's NOT the starter, what could it be? Plenty of juice for the windows, radio, wipers etc.
Thanks! I look forward to your feedback!
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 4
From: Springfield VA
Don’t go jumping the gun, first start basic and work from there. Take the battery to a parts store to charge and test. Takes a lot more power to start a car then move a window.
Next check the signal wire to the starter’s solenoid when turning the lock tumbler. If its sending a strong signal then your ignition switch is ok.
Next check the voltage at the starter. Could have a bad battery cable. If there is little drop from the battery to the starter then the cable should be fine.
Next have someone turn the key and see if the voltage from the top of solenoid jumps to the other side of the solenoid terminal. If it does then the solenoid is ok.
Only thing after that is the starter itself if it is not jumping the bendix or making any sound. If its making a starting sound could be the bendix or the flywheel.
But the options for starter is a mini one (my preference) or get a oem style rebuilt model. But put a heat shield on which ever one you go with.
Also welcome to the C3 Corvette group.
Next check the signal wire to the starter’s solenoid when turning the lock tumbler. If its sending a strong signal then your ignition switch is ok.
Next check the voltage at the starter. Could have a bad battery cable. If there is little drop from the battery to the starter then the cable should be fine.
Next have someone turn the key and see if the voltage from the top of solenoid jumps to the other side of the solenoid terminal. If it does then the solenoid is ok.
Only thing after that is the starter itself if it is not jumping the bendix or making any sound. If its making a starting sound could be the bendix or the flywheel.
But the options for starter is a mini one (my preference) or get a oem style rebuilt model. But put a heat shield on which ever one you go with.
Also welcome to the C3 Corvette group.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,200
Likes: 3
From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania
Why fret? If it's got a manual trans, just park on a hill, coast down or have a few helpers push, and kick start it. If you're unlucky enough to have a hydromatic slushbox, suffer!
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Well, she fired right up and that was fun. I took it out for a nice spin with a coworker around 10 or so and it fired right back up again.
However, about an hour or so ago she would not start up but it did fire up after I opened the hood and let it cool off. It's super hot here today (Cleveland) and she's parked on a freshly paved asphalt parking lot.
Starter, right? What's one run at an Autobarn (or similar)? This a good weekend job for someone who's pretty good with a wrench?
However, about an hour or so ago she would not start up but it did fire up after I opened the hood and let it cool off. It's super hot here today (Cleveland) and she's parked on a freshly paved asphalt parking lot.
Starter, right? What's one run at an Autobarn (or similar)? This a good weekend job for someone who's pretty good with a wrench?
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Are Corvettes only prone to heat soak? I would think with the number of these engines out there this would be a common problem?
Thanks for the input. I plan on getting her into my nice cool garage asap.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 4
From: Springfield VA
Mini? Sorry. Not sure what you mean. And why would another starter have the same problem?
Are Corvettes only prone to heat soak? I would think with the number of these engines out there this would be a common problem?
Thanks for the input. I plan on getting her into my nice cool garage asap.
Are Corvettes only prone to heat soak? I would think with the number of these engines out there this would be a common problem?
Thanks for the input. I plan on getting her into my nice cool garage asap.
Old GM starters are prone to heat soak, its a old issue. Heat sheild and then GM going to smaller high power starters fixed it.
Mini-starter, like this...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-SB-BB-CH...42d67e&vxp=mtr
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
Because it's not a wear issue. Resistance increases with temperature. Get the windings hot enough, and they won't flow enough current to operate.
Corvettes have a big engine in a relatively small space. And from the factory, they came with cast iron exhaust manifolds. Let me guess, this car has headers. 
Are Corvettes only prone to heat soak? I would think with the number of these engines out there this would be a common problem?
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: Laquey Missouri
Had the same problem on my 76 last year. Turned out to be the ground between the battery and frame. Made a quick trip to NAPA, $15.00 later they made me one the correct length and ends - cleaned up the area on the frame, bolted it up and haven't had a problem since.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,354
Likes: 214
From: Beecher Illinois
Had the same problem on my white79. Was where if I was taking it someplace I expected to be there for at least an hour.
Last time it happened was almost 2 hours so I finally looked into it.
Made sure the battery cables were tight. Didn't just check them for tightness, undid them and reattached them.
Opened up the starter solenoid.
I took a wire wheel to the edges of the disc to knock off burn marks and turned the contact in the cap 180 degrees to get a new surface(you can see the worn side).
Seems to have solved the intermittent start problems I had. No problems since.
Last time it happened was almost 2 hours so I finally looked into it.
Made sure the battery cables were tight. Didn't just check them for tightness, undid them and reattached them.
Opened up the starter solenoid.
I took a wire wheel to the edges of the disc to knock off burn marks and turned the contact in the cap 180 degrees to get a new surface(you can see the worn side).
Seems to have solved the intermittent start problems I had. No problems since.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Hmmm. That the negative terminal to the frame?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,410
Likes: 1,547
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Try KapsSA's suggestion.
Turn #1 180* and wire brush off #2.
I've seen that work many times.
Turn #1 180* and wire brush off #2.
I've seen that work many times.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
Had the same problem on my white79. Was where if I was taking it someplace I expected to be there for at least an hour.
Last time it happened was almost 2 hours so I finally looked into it.
Made sure the battery cables were tight. Didn't just check them for tightness, undid them and reattached them.
Last time it happened was almost 2 hours so I finally looked into it.
Made sure the battery cables were tight. Didn't just check them for tightness, undid them and reattached them.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
Every electrical junction introduces some resistance whether it's the motor brushes, ground terminals, or what have you. HEAT makes it worse. As temperature increases so does resistance. So if you have a weak or compromised connection to begin with, then if you get it hot enough it very well may stop working altogether. There are multiple ways to deal with the situation no doubt. You could either isolate those components from heat or make them more tolerant to said heat. But to flatly say there's no such thing as heat soak is really not right. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 4
From: Regina Saskatchewan
After 35 years of starting that V8 , I'm sure its yor starter. I just went through an adventure of my own. Last year my starter was acting up, so I went looking for a mini. Local NAPA could bring a mini for $140. What a deal ! It got here and its Chinese made with an American name. Took a chance and put it in. This year the darn teeth on the mini got wiped out. Junk. I went to Napa to get a straight rebuild. And THAT one wouldn't work all the time. Took it back for warranty. Finally that one works. Working for 3 days now! 
I looked on the net and couldn't find an American made mini starter. Anyone know who makes one?
I looked on the net and couldn't find an American made mini starter. Anyone know who makes one?
Last edited by couperdecar; Jun 20, 2012 at 08:54 PM.