Leaves me stranded!!!!!!!!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: albuquerque nm
Leaves me stranded!!!!!!!!
When I drive my 87 somewhere, let it sit for about 10 min and try to leave the sucker won't start, and I mean nothing, no click, nothing. When I turn the key to the start position the amps read 11.8. Help!!! I've already replaced the alternator and the battery with one of those expensive gel optima's. Any suggestions? :(
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Leaves me stranded!!!!!!!! (twogonzo)
First verify that the battery and alt connections are sound.
Then pull the alt and have it checked; if OK have the battery checked; if OK look for a short.
Then pull the alt and have it checked; if OK have the battery checked; if OK look for a short.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,419
Likes: 0
From: Are you the bug or are you the windshield.....
Re: Leaves me stranded!!!!!!!! (twogonzo)
11.8 volts when you turn you key to the start position is good - your battery is only 12 volts, so I would rule out the battery and the alternator.
Does this only happen when the car is hot?
Does the car start up great when it is cold - like first thng in the morning?
If you answer yes to the two questions above, then you are suffering from a heat soak problem with your starter.
You might be able to get by putting a heat shield around the starter, but you might have to buy a brand new starter.
I had the same problem with my 86 and the new starter with heat shield was the solution.... No more problems... I got my AC Delco starter from Oreilly's and it has a lifetime warranty - If you can get one with a lifetime warranty, I would get that one.
Does this only happen when the car is hot?
Does the car start up great when it is cold - like first thng in the morning?
If you answer yes to the two questions above, then you are suffering from a heat soak problem with your starter.
You might be able to get by putting a heat shield around the starter, but you might have to buy a brand new starter.
I had the same problem with my 86 and the new starter with heat shield was the solution.... No more problems... I got my AC Delco starter from Oreilly's and it has a lifetime warranty - If you can get one with a lifetime warranty, I would get that one.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 3,420
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster County PA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10
Re: Leaves me stranded!!!!!!!! (Husker Vette)
[QUOTE]
Does this only happen when the car is hot?
Does the car start up great when it is cold - like first thng in the morning?
If you answer yes to the two questions above, then you are suffering from a heat soak problem with your starter.[QUOTE]
:yesnod: That would be the first thing I would check. I've had that problem numerous times in the past with other cars. :cheers:
Does this only happen when the car is hot?
Does the car start up great when it is cold - like first thng in the morning?
If you answer yes to the two questions above, then you are suffering from a heat soak problem with your starter.[QUOTE]
:yesnod: That would be the first thing I would check. I've had that problem numerous times in the past with other cars. :cheers:
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Re: Leaves me stranded!!!!!!!! (twogonzo)
If your VATS is not the cause of a no-crank, you will be able to hear the start enable relay click behind the center of the dash when you hit the starter position on the ignition switch.
[Modified by jfb, 6:18 PM 6/19/2002]
[Modified by jfb, 6:18 PM 6/19/2002]
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 11,259
Likes: 6
From: dfw TX
Moderatrix
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Re: Leaves me stranded!!!!!!!! (twogonzo)
If it's the heat soaked starter, your starter is probably too far gone now to just shield, as someone said, replace and shield it and you'll be fine.
Try carrying an extra key and wait a few minutes and try to start it with the duplicate. That would indicate it's a bad chip on your key. If that doesn't work, have someone give you a jump cuz it's probably the starter. I had this happen several times and I don't know why but a jump worked every time.
[Modified by thrills, 9:10 PM 6/19/2002]
Try carrying an extra key and wait a few minutes and try to start it with the duplicate. That would indicate it's a bad chip on your key. If that doesn't work, have someone give you a jump cuz it's probably the starter. I had this happen several times and I don't know why but a jump worked every time.
[Modified by thrills, 9:10 PM 6/19/2002]
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Elite Torch Red Member
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From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Re: Leaves me stranded!!!!!!!! (Husker Vette)
11.8 volts when you turn you key to the start position is good - your battery is only 12 volts, so I would rule out the battery and the alternator.
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Racer
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 260
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From: Olathe Kansas
Re: Leaves me stranded!!!!!!!! (Jim-K)
One other thing for future reference. Those Gel cell batteries are pretty much junk as far as longevity is concerned. They are very sensitive to temperature, and also have been known in other applications to start fires. Trust me, go with a wet cell battery next time.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,383
Likes: 87
From: Boston, MA
Is the car TRYING to crank over? Or nothing? Do you get any clicking? 11.8 volts while trying to start is plenty for an '87. Typically I can get the car to start with as low as 11.2 volts even if it isn't pretty. As others have said, your starter is probably heat soaked. I would look into getting a smaller starter. I think 1988 has the first year of the smaller ones, and it should bolt up fine! :cheers: