Hot Start Problems..solenoid...starter..?

[computers4kids]

I know...914's are plagued with this problem, but I want to resolve this issue on mine. How cool can you be when your car won't start on a hot day?

The problem: After the car has been sitting in the sun for a while or hot from running around--no click of the ignition. Sometimes after several turns of the ignition it will trigger the solenoid.

So far I have...
--replaced the battery
--Connections are all clean
--disconnected and bypassed the relays under the passenger seat (1974)
--Ground strap to the tranny is clean on both connections and measured by meter for resistance (OK)
--Replaced ignition electrical part in steering column
--Added a "hot start cure kit"--made no difference

*Always starts first time when the car/engine is cold.

I'm assuming the starter or solenoid is the next step, since it cranks just fine when the ignition key works properly. I've read about the "high torgue" starters, but don't want to spend the money unnecessarily.

What would your next step be???
Much appreciated!

[SGB]

There can be internal corrosion of the batt cables that impact the transfer of power. Try using jumper cables or another substitute- hot lead to starter , ground to trans strap area

[914GT]

That still sounds like an intermittent ignition switch, or as Scott said, corroded battery cables. My experience, the 'hot start problem' doesn't show up as 'no clicking', but the solenoid will try to engage but doesn't have enough power so the starter will just 'chatter'. Check the easy stuff first. Inspect the battery terminals again, where the cables go into the clamps. May be a resistive connection there.

[Tidybuoy]

I had the exact same problem when I first got my car. Instead of going with the "hot start kit" I replaced the starter with a 911 type (I think it;s the SRX-168 - I'll find out for sure and reply back). The problem was cured and I have not had any hot start problems in 5 years.

Vern

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

had the same problem on my 911 and several 914's every time, it was the solenoid.. Replacement of just the solenoid fixed it..

[toyvo75]

When the car wont start can you use a jumper wire from the + battery terminal and jump it to the spade terminal at the starter and start the car? If so you have a low voltage problem from bad connections or bad ignition switch. I assume the hot start fix you used is an added solenoid at the starter? The problem here is common to a lot of cars with rear engine and battery. There is just too much wire, too many connections and too much resistence. Clean all connections (all means all) battery to ignition switch,ignition switch to starter and all points in the middle. good luck.

[stevedee]

And then clean the contacts inside the solenoid. They will probably be black from arcing over the years. That's what fixed mine.

[toyvo75]

Yes I should have included the buss bar inside the solenoid.

[computers4kids]

Thanks for all the great ideas! Last night I went ahead and replaced the negative cable and cut off all the postive cables and reconnected with high quality brass lugs and terminals. Unfortunately, it didn't help.

I think I'll try taking the solenoid apart next and cleaning all the contacts as suggested.

I also should mention that when the ignition doens't respond, you can see the voltage drop on the center console voltage gauge about 1 1/2 volts.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

That is close enough to normal. The center console gauge is plugged into a place in the electrical system that frankly isn't that good for telling you the health of ... well, anything except maybe your turn signal bulbs and brake lights and such. It bounces all over the place when pretty much any lights at all are used.

It's much better to measure directly across whatever component you are interested in (e.g., across the battery posts to check the charging system's health; from the spade terminals on the starter to the housing of the starter to check voltage drop at the starter, etc.)

--DD

[Clay Perrine]

I put a gear reduction starter on Betty's 74 1.8 and have not had a hot start problem with it since.

Starter sounds really weird though.....

[M. Hendrix]

Don't forget the transaxle to body ground strap... as mentioned.


M