Topic: Please wait while I am cooling down
in Forum: C3 Electrical
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I am not sure what section of the forum I should post my question in as I don't know the nature of the cause of my problem.
After riding, let'say a dozen miles or so, if I shutdown the engine for a few minutes, I am unable to restart: There is power (the red "belt" signal is on), but no noise at all even a small click; nothing.
At first I suspected the starter to be sticking so I try to tamper with it, with no effect. It takes 20 to 30 minutes before I can start the engine, and when it starts, it comes alive absolutely normally, as if nothing happened. In other words, I can't stop for a mere 3-5 minutes: Either I do not stop at all or I stop for half an hour. Not very convenient. It happened to me several time and I have still no clue of the cause. Does anyone here have experienced the same thing and/or have an idea of what the cause is ? (The car is a 71LS5).
Thanks
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I'm know there are some previous threads on this - I'll try and find them . I had a 327 that did the same thing - A real PITA - It was my coil
apasbigal 2008-04-26 05:01:19
But the solenoid could be your gremlin
Hope I can find what your looking for
Big Al
A QUOTE FROM OUR VETTE DR JOEL ON A PREVIOUS THREAD
"Sounds like either a solenoid heat soak issue, or a wiring/connector issue between the ign. switch and the starter.
You could test this by hooking a voltmeter to the purple wire on the "S" terminal of the solenoid. The next time it won't start or "click", see if there is 12v at that terminal. If there is, then the solenoid is the problem. If there is NOT 12v at that terminal, then you would need to start looking at a ign switch/wiring problem.
You could test this by hooking a voltmeter to the purple wire on the "S" terminal of the solenoid. The next time it won't start or "click", see if there is 12v at that terminal. If there is, then the solenoid is the problem. If there is NOT 12v at that terminal, then you would need to start looking at a ign switch/wiring problem.
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[QUOTE=Christian]I am not sure what section of the forum I should post my question in as I don't know the nature of the cause of my problem.
After riding, let'say a dozen miles or so, if I shutdown the engine for a few minutes, I am unable to restart: There is power (the red "belt" signal is on), but no noise at all even a small click; nothing.
At first I suspected the starter to be sticking so I try to tamper with it, with no effect. It takes 20 to 30 minutes before I can start the engine, and when it starts, it comes alive absolutely normally, as if nothing happened. In other words, I can't stop for a mere 3-5 minutes: Either I do not stop at all or I stop for half an hour. Not very convenient. It happened to me several time and I have still no clue of the cause. Does anyone here have experienced the same thing and/or have an idea of what the cause is ? (The car is a 71LS5).
Thanks A friend of mine had the same problem last week on his 63. He found a loose connection on his coil. Hope this helps...
[/QUOTE] 
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It sounds as if the engine is not cranking over, which would be a starter type issue, rather than an ignition issue. If so, then the post from Big Al would be correct...check the starter solenoid. Big Blocks have a problem with heat soak on the starter/solenoid.
It could also be a loose/corroded batter terminal at the batt., or the starter, or the ground.
It could also be a loose/corroded batter terminal at the batt., or the starter, or the ground.
Joel Adams
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Thanks everyone !!!
Next time I go for a ride, I'll take my voltmeter with me.
I have the feeling it is temperature related; so, I don't think it has anything to do with a connection at the battery (Still, I'll check).
From what you're saying I'll go for a temperature sensitive connection between the switch and the starter. I'll chase it based to your advices.
Thanks
Christian
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Christian, does your engine have the heat shield around the starter solenoid? If not, i would suggest getting one and installing it, as soon as the problem is fixed. I think you'll find the solenoid is just getting too hot. Once it gets hot like that, it simply won't engage the starter. In some instances, the starter itself is the culprit, but more often than not, it is the solenoid.
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Every one above has pointed you in the right direction. I would just like to add my two cents worth on why it happens. The connections don't get worse with heat. The insides (technical term) of the solenoid and/or starter motor expand with heat. As they are nearing the end of their life span, they expand enough that they bind when trying to move. If you get little or no "click", it is probably the solenoid. Once in a long while, you can see that the starter engages and tries to turn but can't. That usually means that the windings of the starter have expanded too far. The solution is to rebuild or replace the starter. Since I don't like to get dirty twice for the same problem, I usually replace both at once. I believe your '71 has the iron nose starter, so you might need to find a local rebuilder as you NAPA dealer will not have one.
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if you cant find a heat shield you can make one out of a coffee can.
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I have had problems with the starter wiring harness. Age finally caught up with it. I went through several starters to get this figuired out. Just another idea, good luck.
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in Forum: C3 Electrical
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