71 W/ starting problem

Need some assistance or recommendations regarding a problem I am having with my 71/350/auto.

I am having a challenge when starting the car, after it has warmed up or after it first starts up and I run it a bit. When I first try and start it, there really isn't any problems. as the starter seems to turn the engine over with full strength. But, after it warms up, then it feels like the battery is way down and the starter starts to click, but it will start after a few attempts. Now, the wierd part, is when this happens, then my radio is reset and all of the preset stations are lost.. Could use some recommendations.

Thanks JJJSLJ

71 coupe
Reply to
jjjoseph
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First try cleaning the battery posts and as many of the ground connections that you can find. If it still does it, then put in a new battery.

The radio getting reset means that the power drops way below 12v, thus clearing the radio pre-sets.

Crabs '90ZR1 #792

Reply to
Crabs

I have owned a number of C3 Corvettes (and still own 3 of them) .. I honestly think the problem is a sign that the OP is having early Heat Soak problems.. good thing is that after the car gets hot the starter will at least click then turn the car over and the car start.

Simple test is to turn on your dash lights and turn the key...IF the lights DIM drastically the starter is pulling so many amps that it drops the voltage from the battery down so far it may cause the Radio to loose its presets.. (I can not verify the Radio Problem as I very rarely even use the Radio in any of my Corvettes...especially on ones with great sounding exhaust systems)..

To test to see if it really is a heat soak problem....pour a couple of glass full's of cold water directly on the solenoid on top of the starter when the problem "happens"...wait maybe a minute then retry to start the car ... if it fires right up. then you know the cause is the Solenoid ... I replaced the spring inside the Solenoid of all my C3's with a much lighter weight solenoid spring...ACDelco spring #

1958679....cost me about 5 bucks from my local Chevy dealer...

I have NOT had any problems on any of my current C3's in well over 10 years running with the light weight spring inside the solenoid...

(hate to say it but I have heard that GM discontinued the spring).. Shame because it was a permanent fix for the problem and dirt cheap...I got the part number from a crew Chief on a World of Outlaws race car years ago...so if the part has been discontinued I bet the Race car crowd has found another source...

Bob G. .

64 72 & 98 RagTops 76 & 79 Coupes +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ >jjjoseph wrote:
Reply to
Bob G.

If you end up replacing the Starter, get a mini gear Starter as they have more torque and will provide a greater distance from the exhaust .

Reply to
Dave in Lake Villa

Reply to
Eugene Blanchard

Keep the original starter for its casting number so later you'll have a numbers matching engine. Dave in Lake Villa wrote: If you end up replacing the Starter, get a mini gear Starter as they have more torque and will provide a greater distance from the exhaust .

Reply to
Dave in Lake Villa

Replace all your ground cables... the one to the crossover from the battery box and frame to block and the one in the pass front wheel well. These things corrode like crazy over time and get to the point that the begin to act up... seems that once they get warm, the resistance goes up and thus less power transfer. Bought a 79 at a steal because they told me it was 'cold natured' and wouldn't start warm. After replacing the starter twice, I posted a msg on here and a fellow replied with the advice I gave you. Spent $12 dollars at NAPA for replacement cables and have never had another problem.

If you skin the old cables next to the terminals... looks like a jade/salt mine due to corrosion. The one in the wheel well usually has a hole in the insulation from road grit...

Take a look... Hope it works for you;

Reply to
S DELLINGER

'Replace all your ground cables... the one to the crossover from the battery box and frame to block and the one in the pass front wheel well.'

REPLY: And, use Star Washers for a tight connection.

Reply to
Dave in Lake Villa

Not really a bad idea... I also had a cable that was visabily fine BUT badly corroded inside ..drove me nuts until I pulled out a set of jumper cables and bypassed all my ground cables one at a time using the jumper cable.. discovered the rear cable fromthe battery to the frame in the rear was worthless ...looked fine from the outside BUT boy inside it was a mess...

Bob G.

Reply to
Bob G.

If you pull on 'em, and they make a crunchy sound, replace 'em!

Reply to
Bob I

Used to be the gaps between the armature poles would get shorted out. Worked well when cold and kill the battery when hot. Can try one of two things. First is to take a hack saw blade and clean the gaps in the armature. Cheap way. Or take to a Starter/generator chop and have them rebuild the starter.

Reply to
bmckeenospam

clean battery terminals? Ground and positive cables making good clean contact on engine and starter? Cables in good shape?

Butcher '96 LT-4 CE

Reply to
Butcher

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