[Jmark]

Originally Posted by seafoam56

Hey guys
I had the same problem last night...ran it for awhile and it got hot...after i parked it, it wouldnt start...I did check to see if i had my secondary...all lights work, horn, ect...

i went out this morning and it started by itself...do you think its the starter or what.
Thanks

We can guess and make suggestions and "think" all we want. All we can do is offer time tested suggestions that will aid in narrowing down the problem. It's up to you whether you choose to do the actual tests and trouble shooting. I suggest you re-read all the replies and do some serious testing. Guessing just costs money.

Mark

[seafoam56]

I have no problem doing the tests...I needed to know what to test...and go from there.

[Jmark]

Originally Posted by Jmark

One quick test is, if you can, hook a volt meter or gauge to the purple "start" terminal on the solenoid and ground. If you can run the wires inside it will be easier. If not, next time it won't start, turn the key to the "start" position and look at the voltage at that wire on the solenoid. Often times it's either zero or less than 8-9 volts. The solenoid needs close to 12 volts to pull the plunger inside. GM calls it a "hot soak problem".

If you have low voltage, start looking for an old crappy dusty, loose or corroded connection somewhere. It will be anywhere that wire goes through either a switch or connector. Sometimes just running a brand new wire from the switch to the solenoid will do the trick.

If it is in fact 12 volts, I'd suspect either a loose connection on the starter OR a bad solenoid. Sometimes the extra oompf from another battery will overcome the problem, as you are seeing.

Mark

This is a simple test to determine if the solenoid is acting up OR If you have a voltage drop problem somewhere between the the battery to the key and then down to the starter. You could also just have a defective battery or bad connection at the battery or starter. Hopefully, it will be something easy, chasing electrical problems can be a real nightmare.

Mark

[seafoam56]

I hear ya...I am not into electrical...that is why i am here...give me a welder and i am happy...but thanks for your advise i am going to do some checks.
thanks

[techron]

Originally Posted by seafoam56

hey
I have a top term. battery...i am wondering if my solenoid on the starter is bad...like i said, i have power through the truck when this issue happens...also it happens if i drive it like an half hour or more...very frustrating!

i think you are on the right track thinking it is the solenoid, i have seen this several times and replacing the solenoid has been the cure. there is no test, but what happens is there will be a break in the pull-in windings in the solenoid that expand and break contact when hot-turn the key and you get nothing-when the solenoid cools a little they make contact and the engine starts. it's not that uncommon of a problem...

[seafoam56]

Hey
I am thinking about changing the whole starter...for the price it make sense...I am not sure if heat actually bothers the starter...

It might be a common issue...but man what a pain in the butt...my goal is to check all the wires..as i stated i have all my secondary when this happens...so it make me think its not electrical...so i am going to change the starter and get the heat shield wrap and do it up and try that.

what do you think

[Rob Keller]

Make sure you have ,what I call the grounding triangle

Which means grounded from the battery to the frame from the frame to the engine & to the body.

Make sure to use the electrical star washers so the make a good connection.

Make sure all positive connections are tight & corrosion free.

Check Fusible links sometime they will be hanging on by just one strand of wire {corrosion} .

Also check to make sure the connections on the starter are tight & corrosion free.

Good luck

Plus all the stuff mentioned above.


R

[ernkazern]

Many times it's the starter solenoid. My Camaro used to go through a starter solenoid a year until I wired in a Ford starter solenoid on the fender away from the headers. You can buy a kit to do that from Summit or Jegs. I haven't had a problem with starting in over 4 years now.

[vsmidge68]

hey, i had this same problem on my truck, found out it was the solenoid wire didnt carry enough volts when hot. went back to 12ga. wire it was fine. most after market harnesess only use 14ga. looses to many volts on a long stretch. some guys went to a ford sol. and use a jumper on the starter. hope this helps.. frank

[JeffB]

Originally Posted by seafoam56

hey
i have this problem...and it comes and goes...the truck will start and drives fine...there are times that once it is parked and i want to start i get nothing...not even a click...the other day i drove it around not for long parked it...as soon as i turned it off...i tried to start it again..and there was nothing...

yesterday i like it run for about 30 minutes and i must have started it 15 times...the battery is new it tests to be high to normal...the Alternator checks to be good also...

Any thoughts what could make it not start at times...would it be electrical or mech. As soon as i hit it with jumpers it fires on the first try.

the engine is a 350 Crete motor.

Give Summit a call,they have a kit for that around $25 it is similar to the the M.A.D "Start em Up" kit,the company I worked for here in Phoenix put them on all the older Chevy vans and no more problems! You should visit the website www.madelectrical.com for more info on this,you could call and order from them if he is back feeling OK as he was down for a while sick.

[GMCTRUCKS]

I would say that your starter is getting to hot I had the same problem with my truck when I left the heat shield off once I placed it back on it was magic also a BAD ground can cause the same thing hope it all turns out fine, I remember I had a bad coil on my goat it wouldn't start till it cooled down but it would turn over just sharing some info.