Lucas_Cronan

Hello, I'm 18 and have just bought my first Corvette. However whenever it gets hot it won't even turn over, however once it cools down enough it starts right up and runs perfect. Any suggestions of what to check??

s carter

Just to Clarify when Hot it will not Crank/Starter will not move or Will move and car will not Start.

The difference is in One side it's a Starter or Charging/Electrical System Problem' the other way it's an Ignition or Fuel problem.

Lucas_Cronan

The car will not crank the starter. However it's not all the time I had it in the shop to try and let them fix this issue and they changed a wiring harness going to the distributor and it now it only dose it occasionally.

s carter

OK Since the Starter is not moving, Disconnect the Battery clean up the Battery terminals. with the Battery disconnected Get under car remove the Battery cable make sure it is clean and Tight, Also inspect the small wire that makes the Starter moves when you want to Start Car if these things are good odd's are you need a starter.

One easy test (not foolproof)for a bad starter, when the problem occurs reach under car and give the Starter a Lite to Medium Smack with a Hammer if it starts. You need a Starter.

billschroeder5842

I just love the simple, old school way to diagnose a problem.

corvettenorway

a bad starter !

Lucas_Cronan

I haven't tried this yet, however I think the guy I brought it to looked at them not sure if he checked it well though. Also the solenoid is not even engaging...?

s carter

OK safely Connect a Test light to the Starter Crank Request on the Solenoid (clip end on starter) and ground the Tip of the light, or wire a 12 volt lite (old dash or Marker Bulb with Socket. The Idea is when it occur's you try to start if the Starter is getting the Request (lite goes on while trying to start) and it is not Cranking it is something in the Starter or Solenoid

corvettenorway

Hot Rod Roy

This may not be a good test. The light may not prove there's enough power to actuate the solenoid. How bright should the light be??? A voltage test on that connection would be a better test.

Do you hear the solenoid "click" when you try start the car, but the starter doesn't spin? It's probably time for a new/rebuilt starter.

If the car has headers, a heat shield on your starter may be helpful.

Cruisinfanatic

same with tv's 40 yrs ago

Lucas_Cronan

I don't hear the solenoid click however when I watch the built in voltage meter on the car I see voltage drop when I turn the key to the start position but no noise of the starter or solenoid.

Cruisinfanatic

You've got to get your battery connections, starter connections, and grounds clean.
No improvement, replace starter

Hot Rod Roy

You need to check the battery voltage with an accurate volt meter while you're trying to crank the engine. It may be time for a new battery. Do this before you replace the starter. You should be able to find an auto parts store that can test your battery for you . . . at no cost.

Be sure you understand the problem before you throw parts (and money) at it!

Is there a date code on your battery?

Lucas_Cronan

The battery is basically new (the date is June 15th this year) but it dose only have 460 cold cranking amps when the minimum is supposed to be 525. However I've had the battery tested and they said it was okay. I'll check it with a good multimeter tonight when I get home and get all the terminal connections clean. And see if that all helps. If not I have another Corvette (also an 84 same everything but no engine and trans as a parts car) I'll try switching the starter out to see if it fixes it and if so I may buy a new one they aren't that expensive. Thank you guys for the help!

hcbph

On your battery, I'm going to throw my 2 cents in. Especially since I live in an area that gets 'cold' several months a year, when I buy a battery I get the one with the highest CCA rating I can find in the battery model required for the vehicle. In the case of my 86, IIRC it's around 700 CCA. It doesn't take much of a battery drain to take a under 500 CCA battery below the threshold required to start your car IMO. Besides that it's not that much more $$ for that extra battery reserve.

As far as your starter goes, if you have a 'competent' shop in your area that rebuilds starters, they should be able to determine the condition of your starter and if it requires any repairs or not.

Good luck, hope it's an easy fix.