starter question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 348
Likes: 27
From: Stony Brook NY
starter question
Hi all
went out for a ride this morning when i came home i parked the car in the driveway then about 5 minutes later decided to pull it in the garage
and it did not start, battery is good all the interior lights went on like normal,after the car sat for about 30 minutes it started.is my starter going bad ??? any help would be appreciated .93 ruby
as always thanks for the help
went out for a ride this morning when i came home i parked the car in the driveway then about 5 minutes later decided to pull it in the garage
and it did not start, battery is good all the interior lights went on like normal,after the car sat for about 30 minutes it started.is my starter going bad ??? any help would be appreciated .93 ruby
as always thanks for the help
Team Owner
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 53,508
Likes: 5,571
From: Plantation Florida USAF(Retired) 1966-1990
U.S. Air Force
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I can tell you while back I had the same problem that drove me crazy, and then I meant Gordon Killebrew of corvettes.
It's your starter is seizing up, but when it cools down everything becomes normal.
Sorry to say replace the Starter is the only fix, and if I was you I put heat shield on our starter, and never had another problem so far, and that was back 1995.
It's your starter is seizing up, but when it cools down everything becomes normal.
Sorry to say replace the Starter is the only fix, and if I was you I put heat shield on our starter, and never had another problem so far, and that was back 1995.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 348
Likes: 27
From: Stony Brook NY
I can tell you while back I had the same problem that drove me crazy, and then I meant Gordon Killebrew of corvettes.
It's your starter is seizing up, but when it cools down everything becomes normal.
Sorry to say replace the Starter is the only fix, and if I was you I put heat shield on our starter, and never had another problem so far, and that was back 1995.
It's your starter is seizing up, but when it cools down everything becomes normal.
Sorry to say replace the Starter is the only fix, and if I was you I put heat shield on our starter, and never had another problem so far, and that was back 1995.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,409
Likes: 44
From: NC
Starter's an easy job on this car. Good luck!
Might as well replace the positive lead cable if you haven't yet too. You'd be amazed at how much road grime and oils make it's way up the insulation of the starter wire.
Good luck!Might as well replace the positive lead cable if you haven't yet too. You'd be amazed at how much road grime and oils make it's way up the insulation of the starter wire.
Last edited by MavsAK; Jun 8, 2014 at 04:11 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,349
Likes: 2,728
If the starter is the original I believe I'd consider having it serviced locally and I wouldn't be so soon to jump on the just replace and be done with it. You actually need to evaluate the balance of the electrical. It may be heat soak and maybe not. Maybe there actually is a problem other than the starter. You could have the electrical checked with a "carbon-pile" load test and confirm your issues.
What does your voltmeter tell you?
The repair of yours could be half or less of the replacement. You need a local shop that understands electrical. The parts I'd guess for yours are on the shelf and really inexpensive.
What does your voltmeter tell you?
The repair of yours could be half or less of the replacement. You need a local shop that understands electrical. The parts I'd guess for yours are on the shelf and really inexpensive.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
You might have had a VATS incident. The starter enable relay should click when you turn the key to the start position. It's located on the firewall at the bottom of the steering column.
Try cleaning your key resistor pellet or use a spare key.
Try cleaning your key resistor pellet or use a spare key.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 412
From: WV
:
with Cliff... I wouldn't go out and buy a starter until I found out if that's really the problem...This "does" sound like it could be a vats problem, and you should check it out before coming to the conclusion that it's the starter.......WW
with Cliff... I wouldn't go out and buy a starter until I found out if that's really the problem...This "does" sound like it could be a vats problem, and you should check it out before coming to the conclusion that it's the starter.......WW
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,314
Likes: 508
From: South-central Missouri
with methodical troubleshooting anytime as opposed to "shotgunning" (i.e., throwing parts at it until the problem goes away). Too many times additional problems can be introduced by either defective parts being installed, or issues stemming from the improper installation resulting in multiple issues which complicates resolving the initial issue considerably!I agree with doing a load test. Assuming(?) the battery is good, a "carbon pile" load tester could be used. But, in the years as a mechanic in my college days, and since, all that I have found necessary was to listen for the starter solenoid to "clack" when someone turns the ignition key to START. This will verify the solenoid is being energized in the first place. At the same time, have the headlights turned on bright when testing the solenoid and see if they dim slightly when the solenoid is activated. If there is an audible "CLACK" sound from the starter, and the headlight dim ever so slightly, then there is an excellent chance the starter is at fault...with exception**.
**Because you said it would start after cooling down, chances are the battery cable connections are sufficient. However, checking the connections and cleaning them - while you're at it - is worth doing if only a preventative measure against a problem in the future. All that said, if the voltage (measured across the battery terminals with a volt meter) drops more than a couple or 3 volts with the starter engaged, then the battery should be load tested (free at most any auto parts store) to be sure the voltage drop is not due to an imminent battery failure and not just a high current draw by the starter.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Pro
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 648
Likes: 6
From: weems va
Hi all
went out for a ride this morning when i came home i parked the car in the driveway then about 5 minutes later decided to pull it in the garage
and it did not start, battery is good all the interior lights went on like normal,after the car sat for about 30 minutes it started.is my starter going bad ??? any help would be appreciated .93 ruby
as always thanks for the help
went out for a ride this morning when i came home i parked the car in the driveway then about 5 minutes later decided to pull it in the garage
and it did not start, battery is good all the interior lights went on like normal,after the car sat for about 30 minutes it started.is my starter going bad ??? any help would be appreciated .93 ruby
as always thanks for the help
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,952
Likes: 239
From: Venice Cali.
Your starter is going bad, the electric windings get old and warped inside, as it gets hot they start to rub on the inside of the starter and gets stuck(eggshaped if you will).
When it cools it shrinks a bit . I bought a duralast from autozone for 35 dollars last April(2013) and it still works perfect.
When it cools it shrinks a bit . I bought a duralast from autozone for 35 dollars last April(2013) and it still works perfect.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 348
Likes: 27
From: Stony Brook NY
Your starter is going bad, the electric windings get old and warped inside, as it gets hot they start to rub on the inside of the starter and gets stuck(eggshaped if you will).
When it cools it shrinks a bit . I bought a duralast from autozone for 35 dollars last April(2013) and it still works perfect.
When it cools it shrinks a bit . I bought a duralast from autozone for 35 dollars last April(2013) and it still works perfect.
thanks guys for all the advice ,i appreciate it
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 194
Likes: 1
From: Canada
Had similar problems last year.
Good advice from folks here, i did try a differnt key and cleaning the chip on my key to see if it may be the VATS, I ended up pulling off the original starter and had it rebuilt for $100.
It can be removed without taking off much of anything around it (though I did have to take a few claps off a vaccume line to move it a bit) and if youre careful and thoghtful the starter can be manouvered out and back in place.
Good advice from folks here, i did try a differnt key and cleaning the chip on my key to see if it may be the VATS, I ended up pulling off the original starter and had it rebuilt for $100.
It can be removed without taking off much of anything around it (though I did have to take a few claps off a vaccume line to move it a bit) and if youre careful and thoghtful the starter can be manouvered out and back in place.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,879
Likes: 1
From: Lockport, IL Let's get em ALL home soon!
My car was doing the same thing on and off. Have to keep a pipe in the car so I can beat it when it locks up. Just picked up a rebuilt this week and will swap it out this weekend.