Starter not working when hot problems.....

[Redfox0099]

Just got my car back together after 3 months yesterday and took it to the track today...sitting in the staging lane I turned the key to start the car and while the dash lit all up like normal the starter did not engage at all.

While turning the key over and over I could hear maybe a relay in the rear fuse box clicking on and off, after the car cooled down a little it started right up but then would not start soon after.


Thoughts? starter is a year old but not sure if my stroker motor is more taxing on it than a standard 6.1L and is wearing it out, or could it be wiring, I checked the starter and all the connections there seem to be good.

[fnkychkn]

did you check engine ground connections?
if ok, you'll need to check starter draw with an inductive ammeter when this happens.
if you've got headers, they may be overheating the starter windings and causing an open circuit. when the starter cools down, the circuit becomes closed again. sure sounds like a starter problem.

[RT NOMAD]

Did it ever fail to start hot before the re-build?
If not, maybe something during the re-build affected the starter.

Just a first thought.

[obiwan]

First few times after my stroker build it was very hard to start when hot. With a few miles on it now, it turns right over.

[Tbird100636]

Did you check engine ground connections???
If ok, you'll need to check starter draw with an inductive ammeter when this happens.
If you've got headers, they may be overheating the starter windings and causing an open circuit. When the starter cools down, the circuit becomes closed again. Sure sounds like a starter problem.

Make sure you also check the heavy battery lead going to the starter. I had a HEMI Durango that had what appeared to be a bad starter. It clicked but did not turn over the engine. I found the heavy lead was just loose enough to have a bad connection. Cleaned and tightened the connection, all good. The headers being close to the starter and heating it up has been a problem for a long time. They make heat shields that wrap around the starter and keep them cool.

[Redfox0099]

I looked at it and there wasn't a heat shield on it....I guess someone forgot to reinstall it.

[Nightshade]

Make sure you also check the heavy battery lead going to the starter. I had a HEMI Durango that had what appeared to be a bad starter. It clicked but did not turn over the engine. I found the heavy lead was just loose enough to have a bad connection. Cleaned and tightened the connection, all good. The headers being close to the starter and heating it up has been a problem for a long time. They make heat shields that wrap around the starter and keep them cool.

I just had to replace the connector on the end of the cable going from the B+ terminal on the alternator to the starter.. The connector is aluminum stock.. I have LT headers and it melted the connector on the starter...

I didn't see a heat shield on it.. I was looking at doing something to protect the heat.. I had actually thought about some header wrap on a small part of the headers to keep the heat away from the starter.. but maybe if there is a heat shield that is missing, I will look into that instead.. or make my own heat shield.. Wish I had gotten my headers JET coated when I bought them..

I have been having issues starting the car lately too.. it turns over fine, but I noticed that it doesn't sound the same since I had the new engine dropped in.. doesn't turn over as easily.. I think that maybe it's just not lined up right or something... Still have warranty for another 25,000km so will just have to take her back into eastway when I get a chance...

[Hogward]

I looked at it and there wasn't a heat shield on it....I guess someone forgot to reinstall it.

Not sure the factory put heat shields on the starter... never noticed same when it was up on the rack. Sounds more like a loose/bad connection in the main power cable to the starter.

[fnkychkn]

Not sure the factory put heat shields on the starter... never noticed same when it was up on the rack. Sounds more like a loose/bad connection in the main power cable to the starter.

#3 is heat shield

[Hogward]

Learning every day... thanks, fnkychkn! I never noticed it before, but really wasn't looking for it either. Looks easy enough to install/remove, but doesn't appear to be much of an insulator, more of a radiant barrier.

[obiwan]

Imagine that, a heat shield... I can only imagine that the monkeys that had my motor out the first time lost the shield as there isn't one currently.

[Beast 2]

Imagine that, a heat shield... I can only imagine that the monkeys that had my motor out the first time lost the shield as there isn't one currently.

The same thing happened to Nathan. There was no heat sheild on his car when I got it.

All of his engine grounds and starter connections have been checked and rechecked. His car was having charging issues so we went over everything (and fixed the issue.)

Maybe a couple of blocks wasn't enough time to make sure everything was squared away huh? LOL I tried to tell you.

[Tbird100636]

I was actually reffering to an aftermarket shield that Summit Racing and Jegs sells. But one still can be installed to augment the level of protection.

[GasGunR]

Pretty common on old school street cars with headers.

Make sure there is a heat shield on the starter since you've already checked the connections. Are your headers coated? If not it might be an idea. You are asking alot from the starter, it wasn't designed to crank over such a big motor, especially when under strain from the heat, way more heat than when stock I would imagine.

You might want to consider fabricating and installing a more substantial heatshield to give the starter a better chance.

Don

[Redfox0099]

Maybe a couple of blocks wasn't enough time to make sure everything was squared away huh? LOL I tried to tell you.

Yeah, well maybe if it was done.....ug, sometimes it isn't worth arguing over, I guess I will just watch paint flake off my car.


BTW I found the problem last night and fixed it, loose connection on the starter.

Thanks and Gig'em