Cobra won't start - starter dead spot?

key said:

Car won't start sometimes, usually after it gets hot - happens a lot at the race track.

Doesn't turn over, doesn't make a clicking sound, doesn't do anything. All the lights come up with the key in the 'On' position, so I know it's getting power.

Happened tonight and I jacked it up and hit the starter with a socket - car started after that. I've heard that a lot of people have 'bad spots' in the starter that make it so the starter just won't turn over. Does anyone know if that type of thing can be caused by heat? What about symptoms?

I reproduced the problem tonight by turning the key till the starter started to turn, then letting off before the engine could fire. A couple times of that and it went dead again.. Does this sound like a dead spot in the starter?

I do not think it's the starter's ground - I have cleaned that and also tried running a cable directly from the negative battery terminal to the engine...

Thanks!
Zach

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With out going into complete detail, I had a very similar problem. My car would also not start on and off when it was hot. Car would start following a 30 to 40 minute cool down period. Took it to ford they tested it and said it was my battery. Fine. I didn't believe the service guy because like you I had no indication of a bad battery leading up to the problem. Lights strong etc. I pick up the car drive it about 15 minutes from the dealer and it wont start again. Goes back in, ford says it was a bad battery off the shelf. BS but I say ok because he insists the starter is ok. Fine. Drive about 45 min away from home a day later it will not start. Finally they put in a new starter. Car does fine for about 2 months then will not start again. This time it is the Alternator. Check. Drive it home it wont start again. Finally they replace the clutch start switch and the car has been fine since. While researching my problem on different websites a lot of guys made the point that Ford uses poor wires for the ground and had similar problems fixed by putting in their own ground wire. Since your car is starting when you mess with the starter then you may have your problem figured out. Best of luck and I hope your problem gets fixed quicker then mine.

Get under your car and check the starter wires. Make sure both nuts are tight. My ground got a little loose and it randomly wouldn't start just like you're describing.

If you whacked it, and it started after that - its probaby a dead spot. All electric motors can have this problem. Time for a new one

peace

Yea, I had my starter replaced under warranty for that exact problem. It definitely had dead spots cause the wrench method worked.

The wrench method will work if you have a loose connection, as well. Don't do anything before you check your connections.