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Topic: Starting issue

in Forum: C3 Engines


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Starting issue (1/8)
 8/24/16 3:33pm
Cliffs_81_Vette
Former Member

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McKinney, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Yellow Corvette, 4 spd 295/50-15 Magnum XLs on the rear!


Joined: 8/24/2016
Posts: 7

Technical advice requested here.

Yesterday was a pretty hot day here in North Texas. I drove from work to pick up my son, waited at his school for 20 minutes with the engine and AC running. Once he got out of school, I dropped him off at his moms house and shut off the car. When I returned, I turned the key and the starter doesn't engage, click, make any noise what so ever. The radio comes on, the vent fan blows and the power windows work fine. I wait 20 minutes, use a set of good jumper cables on the battery and she fires right off. I drive a few blocks to my house, and put the battery on a charger. Well the battery shows fully charged. This has happened several times.

I'm running a stock exhaust. Do y'all think that maybe the starter is getting hot? The alternator shows it's charging 14V and the battery is a month old...I replaced the battery the last time this happened since it was date coded April/2011.



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Re: Starting issue (2/8)
 8/24/16 6:54pm
stingrayjim jrLifetime Member
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SHELBYVILLE, TN - USA

Vette(s):
1976 L48 auto

1978 L82 4speed

1994 LT1 6speed


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Chances are its the starter solenoid.  If this happens after extended use of the car, allowing it to get really hot(not actually overheating the engine but under hood temperatures for extended time such as idling for long time, long road trip etc.... ) but doesn't happen for a short trip, say 5-10 minute drive to the store for a cola and snickers....   then chances are its the solenoid.  However, I have had the neutral/safety switch under the console(an automatic transmission) actually go bad on me when it got really hot.... but I would focus on the starter solenoid first.



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Re: Starting issue (3/8)
 8/24/16 10:11pm
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


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+1 on the solenoid. Check the connections on the solenoid first, but chances are it's time for a new one.


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Joel Adams
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Re: Starting issue (4/8)
 8/25/16 9:22am
Cliffs_81_Vette
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McKinney, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Yellow Corvette, 4 spd 295/50-15 Magnum XLs on the rear!


Joined: 8/24/2016
Posts: 7

Okay guys, thank you very much.

Any recommendations as to which starter assembly I can go with that isn't as susceptible to heat failure?



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Re: Starting issue (5/8)
 8/25/16 9:32am
rastafford3164
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SPARTA, NC - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Coupe, Guards Red, Edelbrock Performer Intake, Holley Street Avenger Carb, Hooker Headers/Side pipes, Richmond Super T-10 4 Speed, TruSpoke Wire Wheels


Joined: 6/20/2013
Posts: 14

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Re: Starting issue (6/8)
 8/25/16 7:43pm
F4GaryGold Member
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Grapevine, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1972 LT-1 convertible with factory air.


Joined: 8/26/2006
Posts: 1409

It's not the starter, it's the starter solenoid mounted on the starter.

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Re: Starting issue (7/8)
 8/28/16 9:02pm
danascar
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Germansville, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1974 Coupe 358ci 4 speed Black w/Medium Saddle interior w/79 custom leather seats. . 1999 C5 Convertible, 6 speed, Atomic orange, Oak interior.


Joined: 1/28/2010
Posts: 858

You can get heat shields of varying types to help prevent that heat problem, but with stock exhaust it shouldn't really be necessary.

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DanT

Re: Starting issue (8/8)
 8/29/16 3:28pm
Redwoman
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Bellingham, MA - USA

Vette(s):
1980 loaded red on red. 68,000 original miles. Second owner. Well documented with all original paperwork. NCRS Founders Award 9/27/14. NCRS Top Flight 10/12/14.


Joined: 6/23/2014
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High torque starter will take the heat. It is smaller and lighter than the original.

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