another no-start

[velox03]

geeze if there was a competition for flat-bed tows i think my ty gets it. i'm at about 10 tows... my ty likes to stop running in the middle of no where. actually i think it's just lazy and likes to get towed.

so after stopping at a gas station i start it up again and no click... no struggle... it just doesn't turn at all. (unlike my other post, this one had nothing turning or catching.) anyhow after i flat-bed it home... the tow guy gets in the cab and cranks it over... and of course... it starts. fun stuff...
i'm thinking it has something to do with the starter or starter wire. would a dying starter do this? tow truck guy said he's seen this before thats why he tried to start it again. maybe loose wire or crapping out starter... anyone have similar symptoms?

-MikeC

 

[SeattleSy#1255]

ya bad connection somewhere i'd guess...probably all the bouncing around on the flat bed bouned into working order. I mean if its getting no juice, start at the battery and work your way forward.

bad grounds?
battery terminals?
starter?
starter relay?

its got to be something simple.

i didn't read your previous post so perhaps this is no help.

 

[Jimmy]

You replaced the purple wire yet?

 

[velox03]

yea actually it did have similar symptoms to the purple wire syndrome.

but yup, i have replaced it, and installed that relay. maybe its getting fried again.... hmm...

 

[ghettosled]

install a remote mount starter selenoid.. Common problem of overheated selenoid due to the downpipe/exhaust. I'm guessing you only have the problem after you drive it and not when cold?

 

[velox03]

Mike,

you're correct, it was running for a while 1hr...
then after on the flatbed, maybe cooled down... it would run.

i'll have to check to see if this is the problem.
do you sell the remote-mounts?
i had already replaced it w/ another selenoid, but i don't think
it was remote mount.

thanks, MikeC

 

[Jimmy]

You could always upgrade to the mini starter,the solenoid on it is so far from the DP it won't heatsoak.

 

[ghettosled]

the starter seleoid heat soak problem is common with early GM stuff. We just use a ford style remote selenoid. You can buy them at pepboys, etc for like $12-15. Basically route the battery cable to the remote seloid, the purple wire crosses the switch, and sends power to the other side of the relay which then goes to the starter. There are also voltage booster kits, started shields, etc which are sold to combat this problem. Or you can just use a hammer!

 

[SY2932]

No more "purple wire" for me anymore, threw it away over a year ago and haven't looked back...

"Jumpered starter solenoid to end the "hot start" problems."

"Conrad F492G remote starter solenoid mounted up so that the purple wire that used to go to the solenoid on the starter could be deleted."

 

[velox03]

thanks for the pics, i love pics...

i think this will be my weekend project...
pics do help out... more than words.

yep i only rewired the purple wire w/ a higher gauge and
heat sleeves. looks like its time to do away w/ it compleatly.

remote mount... the way to go.

much appreciated, MikeC

btw, i'm not getting the "clicking effect" of the purple wire syndrome.
so might it be the starter itself going bad??

 

[SY2932]

I would double check the condition of all your electrical connections first, particularly your grounds. If the relay you are using doesn't have a good ground, it will not work or work intermittently. There is a ground strap that goes between the solenoid on the starter and the starter itself. If your starter is pretty old, it prolly isn't in the best shape. I silver soldered a new one on my bud's F-150 about two years ago and saved him from having to shell out over $100 for a new starter:

If the problem is definately heat related, focus your attention on components near the down pipe and/or exhaust manifolds.

 

[velox03]

well i just saw my starter and it looks like some of the wires going to it are really fried. i'm going to do the remote solenoid.

should i do the starter too?

according to huryde's write-up looks like he jumpers the solenoid w/ a copper ground strap. are we suppose to do this?


these sites really helped... (if someone finds this thread and wants a real write-up)

http://www.syty.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=26657&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

http://www.syty.huryde.com/html/electrical/starter_wire.htm

thanks for everyone's replies...
-MikeC

 

[SY2932]

well i just saw my starter and it looks like some of the wires going to it are really fried. i'm going to do the remote solenoid.

should i do the starter too?

according to huryde's write-up looks like he jumpers the solenoid w/ a copper ground strap. are we suppose to do this?

If the starter checks out OK, I would continue to use it. Provided that the ground strap between the solenoid and starter is in decent shape.

As far as the copper jumper strap that goes across the terminals on the solenoid goes it is MANDITORY or else it WON'T work. That small terminal is where the "purple wire" attaches and provides 12 volts to the solenoid which in turn closes the contacts in the solenoid to allow power from the battery to turn the starter. Jumpering the terminals on the solenoid with the copper strap guarantees the solenoid will close because it is getting voltage DIRECTLY from the battery.

You will have to do some work to get material to fabricate that copper jumper because nobody makes it. Got a piece of solid copper from a bud of mine that owns a machine shop and I cut a jumper for myself and my bud with a syclone in PA two years ago. Been working like a champ ever since .