Help Diagnosing Starter Problem
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,113
Likes: 149
From: Frisco TX
Help Diagnosing Starter Problem
I have a Power Master starter on my 78 L82. It been on there several years.
Today or the 1st time ever I clicked the key to start & nothing happened. It had been setting about 3 hours in the sun after drivving it for 30 minutes.
I turned it off and back on and it started.
After driving home I turned it off and waited about 15 minutes and the same thing happened as before.
Waited another 3 hours and it started fine.
This sounds like the solenoid going out but not sure.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Today or the 1st time ever I clicked the key to start & nothing happened. It had been setting about 3 hours in the sun after drivving it for 30 minutes.
I turned it off and back on and it started.
After driving home I turned it off and waited about 15 minutes and the same thing happened as before.
Waited another 3 hours and it started fine.
This sounds like the solenoid going out but not sure.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,809
From: Cool Northern Michigan
The starter itself will outlast about four solenoids. Poor solenoid gets the brunt of the exhaust heat more than the starter does.
Starters that I have seen fail were usually as a result from a bad valve-cover gasket. Years of oil soaking takes a toll.
You can swap out just the solenoid and I bet the starter goes several more yrs. Look for a ceramic end piece on the solenoid. Usually brown, always more money.
The ceramic will handle what heat the headers / manifolds send its way.
Consider a starter wrap to protect not only the starter but the solenoid too. The better wraps are silver / foil like and come with two stainless straps / zip ties.
I also have a thermo sleeve on the wire harness to the solenoid, about a foot long because of the header heat.
Battery NEG off.
Snap a photo of the solenoid wires before removal or mark with tape & Sharpie. I found it easier to remove the bolts, drop slightly, then remove the wires.
Starters that I have seen fail were usually as a result from a bad valve-cover gasket. Years of oil soaking takes a toll.
You can swap out just the solenoid and I bet the starter goes several more yrs. Look for a ceramic end piece on the solenoid. Usually brown, always more money.
The ceramic will handle what heat the headers / manifolds send its way.
Consider a starter wrap to protect not only the starter but the solenoid too. The better wraps are silver / foil like and come with two stainless straps / zip ties.
I also have a thermo sleeve on the wire harness to the solenoid, about a foot long because of the header heat.
Battery NEG off.
Snap a photo of the solenoid wires before removal or mark with tape & Sharpie. I found it easier to remove the bolts, drop slightly, then remove the wires.
