Starter Problem

[bobanncorvette]

A little problem with my 1978. It has only 29,000 miles on it so most of the parts are original. My problem is when I run the car for a short time everything is Ok. When I run it till it gets real hot and then shut off the car it will no longer start, no click from the starter. I jumped the battery and it started. I don’t think it is the starter or it would not start when it is jumped. Need some help
Thank You
Bob

 

[George Black]

See the 10-29-03 message thread (regarding starter problems when engine is hot) started by Jim Bucks. Your problem sounds similar--and is very common.

 

[90 KOTH]

Heat soak

Sounds like a typical heat-soaked starter problem, though I would think that you should be able to hear a click from the solenoid.

When the engine and starter get hot, the electrical resistance is higher and the battery is not strong enough to kick it off. This is a very common way for starters to fail. When you added the jump, it probably provided enough current to spin it over.

Your battery could be weak, but I suspect the starter may be bad.

I believe it can be diagnosed by checking the current draw of the starter when you have the car warmed up.

Good luck, Phil

 

[norvalwilhelm]

This is a common problem. It is heat soak of the solenoid and can easily be fixed by using a ford type solenoid mount out of the way and away from the heat. A simple heavy wire shorting out the existing solenoid work great.
Summit sells a complete kit for this in the $20-30 range or you can go to the ford parts counter and buy any remote heavy duty solenoid for about $10.
This totally solves this problem.
I do not believe in heat shields and I even use the ford solenoid with a high torque mini starter.

 

[bobanncorvette]

thank you
Bob

 

[lobes290]

I dont know if it works but mid america sells a sleeve that goes over your starter and its supposed to shield the starter from heat