starter problem ??
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 300
Likes: 83
starter problem ??
so i had hooker headers and exhaust installed on my 81 vette about 3 weeks ago. if i drive the vette 10 miles than pull into my drive way turn the key off. and try to restart it the engine groans or it seems like the battery is almost dead it well fire but labors to do it. checked battery 100% charged park car after 10 miles check battery with key off and it still starts hard. wait 1 hour turn key on fires right up. the starter is only 4 months old. is the heat from my headers doing this to my starter???
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,810
From: Cool Northern Michigan
Could very well be, heat soaked.
The stock exhaust had one pipe coming off the manifold and past the starter. With headers, you now have "four" exhaust pipes running past the starter.
I would recommend either a starter shield or a starter blanket to protect that. The shields require some bolt alignment to attach. Where as the blanket is more universal fit. Check out Summit for the blanket material. It would completely engulf the starter, solenoid and wire harness. Some come with two stainless straps to secure it.
The solenoids usually come with two types of wiring terminal caps. The black units are cheaper and don't do as well with heat issues. A better cap (on better starters) is brown and made of ceramic. Much better as far as corrosion & heat resistance.
And make sure you have a GRD cable from block to frame near the starter and its in good shape.
The stock exhaust had one pipe coming off the manifold and past the starter. With headers, you now have "four" exhaust pipes running past the starter.
I would recommend either a starter shield or a starter blanket to protect that. The shields require some bolt alignment to attach. Where as the blanket is more universal fit. Check out Summit for the blanket material. It would completely engulf the starter, solenoid and wire harness. Some come with two stainless straps to secure it.
The solenoids usually come with two types of wiring terminal caps. The black units are cheaper and don't do as well with heat issues. A better cap (on better starters) is brown and made of ceramic. Much better as far as corrosion & heat resistance.
And make sure you have a GRD cable from block to frame near the starter and its in good shape.
Last edited by HeadsU.P.; Nov 20, 2020 at 08:52 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Your problem is most likely with the engine grounding cable running from right side frame to right side engine mount. If you do not have one, you NEED it! If you have one, chances are that one of the mounting connections is defective OR that the wire inside the insulation has deteriorated to the point that its resistance has increased and is very heat sensitive. If you find "issues" with that cable, do yourself a favor and REPLACE IT!!
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 81
Likes: 9
ground ground ground on my car its a blown bb i have a ton of heat my ground cable runs from the starter mounting bolt directly to the battery, and i use the ford 4 post starter relay to relocate the relay away from the header it starts like any car should no hesitation or drag hot or cold, i have seen in the past where the ground cable that runs from the motor to the chassis gets a small tear or pin hole in the jacketing and it turns that section green and you cant see it but it will act as a big resistor and any slight temp increase will slow the AMPERAGE flow down not the voltage amps is was drives or pushes the force or torque,
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,156
Likes: 273
From: Dunedin NZ.
Read up on making or getting a remote starting switch you can temporarily use to power the starter motor, use this when the engine is hot and won't turn over properly, if it starts okay then you know its not the starter motor or the main positive cable from the battery and can look elsewhere for the cause. Could be as mentioned the grounding cable or a problem in the key switch circuit, in my case it was the key switch contacts were worn out. If an auto you also have the switch that stops the car from being cranked in anything other than park or neutral, this is part of the key switch circuit too.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,810
From: Cool Northern Michigan
That's a good idea about the remote starter button tool. They can be had for around $25. Real handy tool for setting valvelash too.
Normally, like Haggisbash mentioned the neutral switch & IGN switch could be culprits in a "No Crank" situation. But because everything is fine after a one hour cool-down, the issue is likely heat related. Those two switches are not near heat.
Normally, like Haggisbash mentioned the neutral switch & IGN switch could be culprits in a "No Crank" situation. But because everything is fine after a one hour cool-down, the issue is likely heat related. Those two switches are not near heat.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 300
Likes: 83
grounding cables has been a major part of my problem my mechanic has replaced all of them i hope, the last thing he had to replace was 2 inline fuses that were bad. i think the starter blanket might be the answer as i posted. every time i get 2 feet ahead this thing knocks me back 1 foot. it at times i post here and get your great answers and copy them and take it to my mechanic. again thanks all for your replys
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,810
From: Cool Northern Michigan
The blanket slips in & over starter, solenoid & harness easily. The stainless clamps can be troublesome so take your time. If you can, put one of the seams of the ends of the blanket facing down. If you have any oil leaks (valve cover) the blanket can hold or pool up with oil. Not good, for the starter. You may want to cut a small slit in the bottom of the blanket to allow oil or water to drain out.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 300
Likes: 83
thanks for the reply on the blanket, talked to the summit rep i believe they are now attached by velcro, lucky no oil leaks except power steering hope this works tired of chasing problems. have droped over $5,000 in it in the last 18 months
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,156
Likes: 273
From: Dunedin NZ.
That's a good idea about the remote starter button tool. They can be had for around $25. Real handy tool for setting valvelash too.
Normally, like Haggisbash mentioned the neutral switch & IGN switch could be culprits in a "No Crank" situation. But because everything is fine after a one hour cool-down, the issue is likely heat related. Those two switches are not near heat.
Normally, like Haggisbash mentioned the neutral switch & IGN switch could be culprits in a "No Crank" situation. But because everything is fine after a one hour cool-down, the issue is likely heat related. Those two switches are not near heat.
regards
HB
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,810
From: Cool Northern Michigan
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 83
Likes: 20
From: Allentown,Pa
I have an 81 and had problems similar to you(no start when hot) this happened many times. Starter and solenoid checked good, added blanket and still problems. After chasing problem for months I got new ignition module. When going to put new module in discovered the thermal paste under the ignition module was dryed out. Cleaned off and put new thermal grease on old module and haven't had the problem for over a year. I'm not saying this is your problem, but something easy to check and non expensive to try.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 42
Likes: 1
From: Maryland
Solution
I had the same problem after installing a set of Kooks ceramic coated headers. It was driving me crazy. My solution, a Larva starter heart shield (rap around) Part # HSP-501071 $45.95
After you install it, your going to have to find your starters sweet spot with the shield. It took me a couple of runs. Now I'm out on the weekends for my 75 mile non-stop cruse. Pull her into the garage. Turn her off, hit the key and she's there for me. Hope this helps.
After you install it, your going to have to find your starters sweet spot with the shield. It took me a couple of runs. Now I'm out on the weekends for my 75 mile non-stop cruse. Pull her into the garage. Turn her off, hit the key and she's there for me. Hope this helps.
