Starter!!!!!!

[flipper]

I drove about 200 miles on the highway on friday nonstop. I then stopped to get gas and when I went to restart, it did not start. I had good juice, but the starter did not do anything. It kinda seemed like there was a drain when I turned the key into the starter position, but no click or anything. I bump started it and finished my journey. I let it set till this morning and it started right up. i drove the 200 or so miles home and it will not start again even though it has sat for about 5 hours. Is it my selonoid? starter? or wiring? Thanks all............Shawn

[rfuerst911sc]

Sounds like heat soak got to the solenoid. I had the same problem on my car I ended up buying a hi-torque starter to replace the 22 year old OEM starter. It is much lighter and really cranks the car over and cheaper to boot.

[drums]

I agree....just replace it. Mine did the same thing, put a 'hot start' relay on. It patched it for a couple of years and last week [while in Canada],
the thing went completely out. Do it while it is in your comfortable garage and you have control of the situation.
Drums

[ianc]

It is very probably the solenoid. After so many years (assuming it is original), the lube in the solenoid is probably all gunked up and chunky and is just providing too much resistance when you're trying to hot start. You could try removing the starter, then removing and cleaning the solenoid and electrical connections, or, just replace the whole works as suggested above. Good luck,

ianc

[T-Bone911]

I had the same problem, Florida summer time. The culprit was the transmission ground being loose. Tightened the nut and no more problem. Beats the starter replacement.

[Brother]

Heat soak is common on long trips. No problems any other times, but after a few hundred miles it wants a little break.

[brittbolen]

This is exactly what happened to me. After 35 years I finally baked my starter during a DE last week. (it had been flaking out for 2 months, usually wouldn't crank when hot) I guess 45+ minutes at 230 degrees was enough to finally do it in... Only needed 3 push starts that day, one to get on track, one to leave, and one after I got gas on the way home...

Alas now I have to get it running with a push, from cold, to get it to the shop this week.

I'm sure it's the solenoid, it's 35! And my batteries are fine, they're only 1.

Britt

[kees]

Originally posted by flipper
I drove about 200 miles on the highway on friday nonstop. I then stopped to get gas and when I went to restart, it did not start. I had good juice, but the starter did not do anything. It kinda seemed like there was a drain when I turned the key into the starter position, but no click or anything. I bump started it and finished my journey. I let it set till this morning and it started right up. i drove the 200 or so miles home and it will not start again even though it has sat for about 5 hours. Is it my selonoid? starter? or wiring? Thanks all............Shawn

I had exactly the same problem. Last week my starter is replaced. Problem gone.

Kees.

[JayMac]

I just started having what sounds like the same problem on my 78SC 3.0, I go for a drive for about 30 minutes, stop for a few minutes and it won't start - no problem when I jump it, or if I leave it for a longer period - i.e. starts great every morning, I had the battery fully tested and it is OK,

my question is - do I replace the solenoid or the whole starter solenoid combination? Seems a waste to do the later but maybe I'm just putting off the inevitable??

Thanks,
J

[shillier]

Originally posted by JayMac
I just started having what sounds like the same problem on my 78SC 3.0, I go for a drive for about 30 minutes, stop for a few minutes and it won't start - no problem when I jump it, or if I leave it for a longer period - i.e. starts great every morning, I had the battery fully tested and it is OK,

my question is - do I replace the solenoid or the whole starter solenoid combination? Seems a waste to do the later but maybe I'm just putting off the inevitable??

Thanks,
J

I'm having the exact same problem. I'm just about to order a new starter. I'm curious though if I should just replace the solenoid.

~Shayne

[Gunter]

It's fun to "hug" your transmission while trying to undo the top barrel nut on the starter; You'll find out what I mean!
Don't get discouraged, have fun.

[randywebb]

yes - it is a kundalini yoga position

[Oldporsche]

Flipper,

You are working with 30 yr old wiring. Go through all of the contacts and freshen all of the surfaces first. Be sure and go through the grounding. You might add a ground directly to the starter motor.

Good luck,
David Duffield

[brittbolen]

i freshened everything i could get to but it didn't help...

I was planning to roll it down the street and hopefully it would start cold, and on a lark I decided to try and start it, just in case, and voila cranked right up.

I'm still putting a new starter in.

Why would it work after sitting 2 weeks, but not after sitting 1? Could 10 degrees in ambiant air temp be enough to make a difference? (it was mid 90s last time i tried, and low 80s yesterday morning)

Britt

[Gunter]

The solenoid on your starter is obviously sticky but there may be issues with the wiring too; Yes, temperature will make a difference: The solenoid plunger, like any metal, shrinks with cold and expands with heat. When you take the old starter out, make sure you disconnect the battery before you disconnect the wires. The hardest part is getting to the top 10mm Allen barrel nut, you have to feel it because you cannot see it. Secure the car with jack stands! Hug your transmission, get the Allen key into the nut. I found that different length pipe extensions worked best because there is very little room to swing. Use antiseize on the nuts when putting the new starter in, and dielectric grease on the wire connections. If the new starter gives the same problems, your battery may be going or, the yellow wire coming from the ignition switch doesn't carry enough Amps to move the solenoid. There is a relay kit available through Pelican for $20.- that installs near the starter to bring in more juice.

[randywebb]

gonna add to that...

"Hug your transmission, -- while lying on your L. side a bit by reaching your R arm up and over the trans. (avoid any wires, heater hoses, metal rods, etc.) -- get the Allen key into..."

use a creeper -- saftey re the jack stands (search) & be sure all the stuff you need is near by

there is arubber elbow boot over the cable that often rots out after a few years. Pelican has it.

[JayMac]

I took my starter into a well known local shop for testing and they couldn't find a problem but did indicate that the solenoid could be going and only impacted when hot, I am putting a new solenoid on, about a $30 part and easy to replace. Why doesn't pelican carry a solenoid? or if it does I couldn't find it, and why does everyone seem to only reference replacing the whole starter unit - am I missing something?

[flipper]

Jay, where did you find a selonoid? i have been looking.....

[JayMac]

I am in Halifax but the part came from Toronto, when I pick it up from the local shop I will ask the suppliers information - it may be on the box, it should at least have a part number - my cost was $35. cad plus shipping.

[911pcars]

"where did you find a selonoid? i have been looking....."

This is a marketing decision by the "reman" industry. Sell the complete assembly instead of just the part needing replacement. The solenoid is probably a $1 reman item, but selling the complete unit makes sense for the normal DIY consumer who doesn't want to/doesn't know how to D&A the starter assembly; so you sell them as complete units for $X. Sorta like a carburetor with a bad float valve. Instead of pushing the $2 replacement part and a gasket kit, you sell the consumer a rebuilt carburetor for $50 or whatever the case may be.

In most cases, you still have a choice. With some, there are no replacement parts available, only complete units. And with some others, only new parts.

Sherwood