starter problems

[hal 1]

Hi
I'm having a problem with my Sierra based kit, it's a 2 ltr automatic, pinto.
When it's hot, after a run, it won't start again until it's cooled down, this can take some time.
I've been thinking of using some exhaust wrap where the exhaust is closest to the starter, having read some reviews about it there seems to be different opinions as to whether it's a good idea, hot spots, rotting pipe etc, has anyone experienced anything like this and if so how did you cure it ?

Thanks in advance
Hal

[sunbeam alpine]

If it's possible, make up a length of cable which you can use to connect from the positive terminal on the battery to the positive (switched - i.e. the light cable, not the thick one) on the starter motor.

The next time it won't start when it's warm, try turning on the ignition, then connect the cable to the starter. If the car starts, it's the same fault (feature) as a lot of classic Alfas have. I've solved it on mine by adding an extra relay between the positive feed from the ignition key and the starter motor.

[hal 1]

Thanks for those suggestions, I'll try testing the voltage and if it's OK the separate cable sounds a good idea.
Thanks again

[Pumaracing]

It might help if you indicated whether the engine won't turn over or it turns over ok but won't start!

[andyiley]

What do you mean by won't start?

Engine turns over but doesn't start.

Engine does not turn over & no sound?

Engine does not turn over, clicking noise as key is turned?

Many other possibilities, in order to help we need more info.

[hal 1]

Sorry about that, when it's hot, after a run, when I try to start it there's nothing at all, the ignition lights are on but doesn't turn over, no clicking of any sort just nothing.
Other ideas are to strip and clean/grease things, starter is recon but previous one was same.

Hal

[one eyed mick]

Earthing fault most likely remove clean and refit engine to chassis chassis to battery and battery earth connections also starter fixing bolts

[andyiley]

^^^^^ Wot 'e said.

[hal 1]

Well, it looks like my best bet is to do the cleaning and make sure all the earth's are secure.

Thanks for all the help.
Hal

Edited by hal 1 on Sunday 26th July 17:51

[Pumaracing]

I had the same problem many years ago with a Fiesta where the exhaust manifold ran very close to the starter. I took to carrying some water in the car and pouring that over the starter would cool it down enough to get me going again. No amount of cleaning up connections helped at all. In the end a new starter fixed it. This hasn't worked for you but maybe the recon starter contained old parts that were already suffering some wear and tear in whatever area causes the problem to manifest. Perhaps a brand new OE starter is the only way.

[Pumaracing]

guzzler4 said:

If you read the OP where it states.........................

I've been thinking of using some exhaust wrap where the exhaust is closest to the starter

.........................It is obvious that the problem is to do with the starter motor

Trying to be clever, picky, call it what you wish, seems to have backfired on you this time

No doubt you will soon be editing your post

The assumption that a given unknown OP on here will always know enough to have already identified the cause of the problem, or even to be able to describe the problem properly without more prompting, is erroneous. It is perfectly possible that someone with limited mechanical knowledge might attribute non-starting to the starter motor when further enquiry reveals that in fact the engine turns over normally and the fault lies elsewhere.

I therefore feel no pressing desire to edit my post above but you might want to think about your own spectacularly profound opining that a good rally engine is one which makes more power and lasts longer than other people's. Very helpful. Not.

[andyiley]

^^^^ Wot 'e said.

At the risk of repetition.

[Steve_D]

Rather than heat wrap on the exhaust a simply alloy shield mounted 10 or 15mm from the body of the starter may be all that's required for a long term fix.

Steve

[hal 1]

That looks excellent, a great idea, I'll get some of that wrap and do that.
So it might be something to do with fibreglass engine bay ? I know there's less room in my kit than in a Sierra so sounds likely

Thanks for that
Hal

[hal 1]

I've just stripped down the starter motor, it was a reconditioned one a few years back but has very few miles on it, less than 3000, it's in good nick without any signs of wear, I still cleaned everything and put new grease in.
The old starter behaved exactly the same, I hoped that replacing it would eliminate the starting issue but of course it didn't, it was changed for another reason.
I'm pretty sure it isn't the starter at fault.

I did have a heat shield in, when I built the car I thought at the time that the starter and exhaust were very close, however this wasn't very large and probably wasn't much use.

I've cleaned the wiring connectors to try and rule those out.

What I think I will do now is wrap the exhaust, put some on the starter/solenoid and replace the heat shield, maybe a larger one ?
And of course hope for the best ☺

Thanks for the input
Hal

[hal 1]

Thanks for that guzzler, I'll let you know how I get on, might be a week or so, depends on weather.

Thanks again for all input
Hal

[hal 1]

UPDATE!!
Hi
Just been out for a run to get the engine hot, went quite a few miles, similar to the other week, on return switched off, left for a minute, Started !!, tried again, same again, left for about 5 mins and same result, .

So it looks as if i might have solved the problem.
I'd taken out the starter, cleaned it, greased it.
Replaced all the wire connections on the solenoid, cleaning the bare wires as i did.
Lagged the exhaust pipe where it's nearest to the starter, lagged the solenoid and replaced the heat shield, which was a tight fit between the two.

So for now it looks ok, hopefully it will stay that way.

Thanks for everyone's help

Hal