Fried starter wire from my LT headers. Need advice!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,398
Likes: 1
From: Kingsport TN
Fried starter wire from my LT headers. Need advice!
Well, I'm on my 3rd starter at this point and things seem to happen in about a 4-5 month cycle. I noticed 4 mo's ago I had a charge system fault and my volts dropped into the 10.8-11 range. I replaced my starter and the alternator and gel battery then and wrapped the new starter w/ a heat shield wrap from mid america. I have TPIS LT's and the passenger side header as u know runs very close to the starter and wiring.
So, the same deal happens last week and it turns out the wire to the starter as well as the bolt attaching to the solenoid is fried/melted according to my mechanic. That heat wrap doesn't cover the wiring attachement site (at least it's not supposed to according to the instructions). So my guy is going to put the wrap to cover some of that wiring at the attachment site on the new starter. He then checked the charging system, and the volts went up, then back down again in the 11's. Now he's replacing the alternator too. Fortunately both are covered by warranty, but what is up w/ this issue?
Anyone ever had to deal w/ this before w/ LT headers? Any fixes? My car has Andy's P1 procharger kit too.
Thanks for any advice!
So, the same deal happens last week and it turns out the wire to the starter as well as the bolt attaching to the solenoid is fried/melted according to my mechanic. That heat wrap doesn't cover the wiring attachement site (at least it's not supposed to according to the instructions). So my guy is going to put the wrap to cover some of that wiring at the attachment site on the new starter. He then checked the charging system, and the volts went up, then back down again in the 11's. Now he's replacing the alternator too. Fortunately both are covered by warranty, but what is up w/ this issue?
Anyone ever had to deal w/ this before w/ LT headers? Any fixes? My car has Andy's P1 procharger kit too.
Thanks for any advice!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,005
Likes: 6
From: Denver, NC
Interesting...I also have Andy's setup with PSC-1 and LT headers from Supermaxx. I did the header install myself and after I was done looked closely at all my wires ans starter to make sure they were clear of the header tubes. The supermaxx fit very well and I had nice clearance. What types of LT did you install...some other brands might be a tighter fit. Only problem I ever had was when a tie wrap broke holding one of my harness for the o2 sensor on driver side. I got another one from Dynatech and tie it up with a stainless clamp. Getting back to you problem, sounds like you may need to put a heat shield around your wires....a good avbestos or kevlar wrap should work.....what kind of boost you getting? I just went to a 3.60 pulley and hope to get 10 lbs. On Andy's system, I was getting about 8 lbs. Dyno at 493 RWHP and 466 RWT with my headers. Always like to compare. I also have built A4 with z06 3:42 rear end.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,398
Likes: 1
From: Kingsport TN
Thanks for the input JS. Where do I find that type of wrap for the wires? I'll check Jegs first.
My car puts out nearly exactly the hp/tq u describe. 490rwhp, 460 rwtq. I have the TPIS headers. My boost gauge indicates about 9 lbs boost except for winter, when it's about 10. Lots o fun when she's working right!
My car puts out nearly exactly the hp/tq u describe. 490rwhp, 460 rwtq. I have the TPIS headers. My boost gauge indicates about 9 lbs boost except for winter, when it's about 10. Lots o fun when she's working right!
