Is my starter too hot?

[EXTRPR50]

Hey guys, I have noticed on my 91k 5-oh, 5spd notch that after a long ride, when I turn off the car, then crank it up again, it just clicks. All my electronics like fuel pump, door chime, and gauges come right up. It's just a click! and nothing. If I let it sit it will start up again.
So is this my battery, starter, starter relay, solenoid? Oh yeah, my battery cables on the post become extremely hot. I found that out by seeing if they were loose.
Thanx fellas.

 

[notch22]

Are you running LT's?

 

[samickguy15]

Sounds like something is deffinetly getting hot. I would think maybe a bad connection at the battery might be a thought. It might be tight, but it could also be corroded which will also cause it to heat up. You could try putting some wrap on your starter or make a small heat shield.

 

[EXTRPR50]

No lt's, and the terminals are not corroded in the least. Is there a company that makes a heat shield?
It has a powerful engagement of the starter, its just like it hits it and it cant spin the flywheel. Im stumped.

 

[samickguy15]

I might suggest you try a different starter and see what happens. Maybe your starter has some faulty internals that show up when hot.

 

[Mustang78]

you have bad cables/starter solenoid...i would replace your ground cable(use two 4ga ground straps, one from the block to frame, and one from the frame to battery..) Also run a new starter RED cable..get the thickest guage you can find. Your cables getting hot is a bad sign, i'm 99% sure the starter is fine..with heat comes resistance, the more heat in the wires the less voltage they let pass through

 

[EXTRPR50]

Thanx for the suggestions.

 

[jerryD]

you probably have a corroded spot on the wires. you could get a clamp on style ammeter to see if you are getting a dead short. also check your battery if it is old. if it a couple years old it should be ok. if the starter gear is engaging the flywheel and not turning it, cause maybe the starter has a little heat soak and the battery cannot provide enough ummph to turn it over.

 

[hungrymonkey]

does the rest of the cars electrical die when the starter clicks? then turns back on when you reset the key?

 

[EXTRPR50]

Yes, the things that come on like the fuel pump. door chime and gauges go off when the click happens, but when I let off they come back on strongly. Thats what makes me believe the battery is ok.

 

[hungrymonkey]

I would bet on a corroded cable, poor connection to the battery, or some corrosion on the terminals.

The wiring can take a small load, but when you go to start it cannot draw enough to turn the engine over.