Home page
SPONSOR AD

Topic: Starting issue

in Forum: C3 Engines

Starting issue

Posted: 8/24/16 12:33pm Message 1 of 8
Profile Pic
Former Member
Send PM
McKinney, TX - USA
Joined: 8/24/2016
Posts: 7
Vette(s): 1981 Yellow Corvette, 4 spd 295/50-15 Magnum XLs on the rear!

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.




SPONSOR AD:: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)

Re: Starting issue

Posted: 8/24/16 3:54pm Message 2 of 8
Profile Pic
Lifetime MemberLifetime Member
Send PM
SHELBYVILLE, TN - USA
Joined: 7/5/2002
Posts: 3942
Vette(s): 1976 L48 auto

1978 L82 4speed

1994 LT1 6speed
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.




StingrayJim
NCM Lifetime Member #1936

Stingray's '76���������������������������� StingrayJr's '78���������������������������Lil Red '94

(click each one to see a bigger version)

Re: Starting issue

Posted: 8/24/16 7:11pm Message 3 of 8
Profile Pic
Lifetime MemberLifetime Member
Moderator
Send PM
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
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
+1 on the solenoid. Check the connections on the solenoid first, but chances are it's time for a new one.



Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    

My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)
             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Re: Starting issue

Posted: 8/25/16 6:22am Message 4 of 8
Profile Pic
Former Member
Send PM
McKinney, TX - USA
Joined: 8/24/2016
Posts: 7
Vette(s): 1981 Yellow Corvette, 4 spd 295/50-15 Magnum XLs on the rear!
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?




Re: Starting issue

Posted: 8/25/16 6:32am Message 5 of 8
Profile Pic
Limited Member
Send PM
SPARTA, NC - USA
Joined: 6/20/2013
Posts: 14
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
Thumbs Up


Re: Starting issue

Posted: 8/25/16 4:43pm Message 6 of 8
Profile Pic
Standard Member
Send PM
Grapevine, TX - USA
Joined: 8/26/2006
Posts: 1522
Vette(s): 1972 LT-1 convertible with factory air. 2017 Black Rose Grand Sport convertible.
It's not the starter, it's the starter solenoid mounted on the starter.


   

Re: Starting issue

Posted: 8/28/16 6:02pm Message 7 of 8
Profile Pic
Standard Member
Send PM
Germansville, PA - USA
Joined: 1/28/2010
Posts: 859
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.
You can get heat shields of varying types to help prevent that heat problem, but with stock exhaust it shouldn't really be necessary.


   

DanT

Re: Starting issue

Posted: 8/29/16 12:28pm Message 8 of 8
Profile Pic
Former Member
Send PM
Bellingham, MA - USA
Joined: 6/23/2014
Posts: 175
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.
High torque starter will take the heat. It is smaller and lighter than the original.


in Forum: C3 Engines


SPONSOR AD: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)