Starter problem?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Chvy2NV · 02-11-2013, 01:40 PM

Truck fires right up when it's cold. But after driving it around town it seems as if the battery was dying. It turns over the engine really slowly and eventually starts up. Could this be my starter acting up?
Posted via Mobile Device

BigRed76 · 02-11-2013, 01:44 PM

I've heard of starters getting "heat soaked", meaning they overheat from engine heat, which causes them to crank slow, or not at all.

Fldawg · 02-11-2013, 01:53 PM

could be your timing is too advanced

**VetteVet** · 02-11-2013, 01:58 PM

If you have headers heat soak is very possible and even without them it can happen.
Eventually it may not start or crank at all until it cools down. If it is heat soak then you may need a new starter. There are ways to avoid buying a new starter. A remote solenoid or relay and a heat shield. The mini starter is a cure for that as well if you have to buy a new starter.

The next time you have the problem turn on the headlights and watch to see if they dim way down while cranking. If they stay bright then the starter or solenoid is the problem and if they dim then you may have a bad cable connection or ground.

Chvy2NV · 02-11-2013, 10:29 PM

yes i do have headers... i will do that headlight test tomorrow and see what happens. never heard of the mini starter??

geezer#99 · 02-11-2013, 10:50 PM

After you do your tests you might look into this as a cure.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=475748

BigRed76 · 02-12-2013, 02:42 AM

If the starter is heat soaking, I'd get a new starter and put a heat shield on it. GM has mounted the starter solenoids directly on the starter for decades and they've been very reliable. But then guys like us put headers on and get those starters nice and toasty

piecesparts · 02-12-2013, 04:12 AM

I finally just got away from the factory style starters and started using the Promaster line of starters. These are magnetic starters and they are also smaller in size. That solved my starter drag issues from heat soak and I even run headers on my trucks. My son's truck still has a full size delco style starter, but we put a heat shield on his and that works pretty well.

TobyArnot · 02-12-2013, 08:15 AM

The best $60 you'll ever spend. Install one of these and your starter problems will go away. I've using the guy at DB Electrical for years on everything from stock 350's to hi-compression Big Blocks. They just work !
.
http://www.dbelectrical.com/p-1152-n...sdr0019-l.aspx

cdowns · 02-12-2013, 09:59 AM

cleaning up the connections and makin sure of positive electriocal contact is even cheaper IT IS FREE

02-11-2013, 01:40 PM	#1
Chvy2NV Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: So. Florida Posts: 873	Starter problem?? Truck fires right up when it's cold. But after driving it around town it seems as if the battery was dying. It turns over the engine really slowly and eventually starts up. Could this be my starter acting up? Posted via Mobile Device

02-11-2013, 01:44 PM	#2
BigRed76 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 1,921	Re: Starter problem?? I've heard of starters getting "heat soaked", meaning they overheat from engine heat, which causes them to crank slow, or not at all. __________________ Zach 1970 Chevrolet Custom Camper K20 1971 GMC Super K2500, 12V/NV4500 swap in progress 1971 Chevrolet Custom C10 1972 Chevrolet Custom Deluxe C20, 5.3/4L60E 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, 455/TH400, 3.73 posi 2004 GMC Sierra 2500HD, LB7/Allison, CCSB 2005 GMC Sierra 1500, 5.3/4L60E, CCSB

02-11-2013, 01:53 PM	#3
Fldawg Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Lynn Haven Florida Posts: 1,019	Re: Starter problem?? could be your timing is too advanced

02-11-2013, 01:58 PM	#4
VetteVet Msgt USAF Ret Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 8,717	Re: Starter problem?? If you have headers heat soak is very possible and even without them it can happen. Eventually it may not start or crank at all until it cools down. If it is heat soak then you may need a new starter. There are ways to avoid buying a new starter. A remote solenoid or relay and a heat shield. The mini starter is a cure for that as well if you have to buy a new starter. The next time you have the problem turn on the headlights and watch to see if they dim way down while cranking. If they stay bright then the starter or solenoid is the problem and if they dim then you may have a bad cable connection or ground. __________________ VetteVet metallic green 67 stepside 74 corvette convertible 1965 Harley sportster 1995 Harley wide glide Growing old is hell, but it beats the alternative.

02-11-2013, 10:29 PM	#5
Chvy2NV Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: So. Florida Posts: 873	Re: Starter problem?? yes i do have headers... i will do that headlight test tomorrow and see what happens. never heard of the mini starter??

02-11-2013, 10:50 PM	#6
geezer#99 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bowser Posts: 13,712	Re: Starter problem?? After you do your tests you might look into this as a cure. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=475748

02-12-2013, 02:42 AM	#7
BigRed76 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 1,921	Re: Starter problem?? If the starter is heat soaking, I'd get a new starter and put a heat shield on it. GM has mounted the starter solenoids directly on the starter for decades and they've been very reliable. But then guys like us put headers on and get those starters nice and toasty __________________ Zach 1970 Chevrolet Custom Camper K20 1971 GMC Super K2500, 12V/NV4500 swap in progress 1971 Chevrolet Custom C10 1972 Chevrolet Custom Deluxe C20, 5.3/4L60E 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, 455/TH400, 3.73 posi 2004 GMC Sierra 2500HD, LB7/Allison, CCSB 2005 GMC Sierra 1500, 5.3/4L60E, CCSB

02-12-2013, 04:12 AM	#8
piecesparts Parts and more parts Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lebo, Kansas (middle of nowhere Posts: 6,821	Re: Starter problem?? I finally just got away from the factory style starters and started using the Promaster line of starters. These are magnetic starters and they are also smaller in size. That solved my starter drag issues from heat soak and I even run headers on my trucks. My son's truck still has a full size delco style starter, but we put a heat shield on his and that works pretty well. __________________ Frank

02-12-2013, 08:15 AM	#9
TobyArnot Quit if it's not FUN!!! Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Indian Trail, N.C, Posts: 864	Re: Starter problem?? The best $60 you'll ever spend. Install one of these and your starter problems will go away. I've using the guy at DB Electrical for years on everything from stock 350's to hi-compression Big Blocks. They just work ! . http://www.dbelectrical.com/p-1152-n...sdr0019-l.aspx

02-12-2013, 09:59 AM	#10
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Starter problem?? cleaning up the connections and makin sure of positive electriocal contact is even cheaper IT IS FREE __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

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