starter heat problems-funny solution

[foghorn67]

I was at the tire store the other day and my starter does what it usually does when it's hot. it just barely makes a noise and it cranks slow, and doesn't start until it's cool again.
somebody had a sunbeam tiger there, and was more or less familiar with ford's.
he said to try running another battery cable from the negative batt. terminal to the starter. that made no sense. my engine would crank all the time if I did that. but maybe he meant from the solonoid to the starter, or the batt. to ground. something about and extra cable helping alot on hot starts.
any of this make sense?

 

[65fastback2+2]

he just meant double up the cable that connects power to your starter (im not going outside to look at mine if it connects to the solenoid or battery too tired) basically, hes saying if you double up your wire you'll get more juice outta the battery to help with starting it. While this would normally be a good idea. it really isnt gonna help much with one battery, because the wire already conducts the electricity fine. this would help if you had two batteries hooked up to one starter.

 

[KillerKittyCat]

Foghorn - Sunbeam Tiger is a FORD!!!! And I want one!!! Only production car faster than the Tiger in 1967 was the AC Cobra. And just barely.

Heat is your problem. Not the ground but the starter solenoid.


Here Kitty, kitty , kitty!!! Got to love them cats!!!!!!!

 

[foghorn67]

Foghorn - Sunbeam Tiger is a FORD!!!! And I want one!!! Only production car faster than the Tiger in 1967 was the AC Cobra. And just barely.

Heat is your problem. Not the ground but the starter solenoid.


Here Kitty, kitty , kitty!!! Got to love them cats!!!!!!!

ya, I know it's a ford. but what he said about the battery cable led me to believe he was more familiar with GM's (solonoid on starter.)
yeah, it was an awesome looking car. it looked like the most fun you can have with your clothes on.

 

[KillerKittyCat]

I got to drive a Tiger. My hair still goes straight back and I am still looking for my underwear.

You sit in it and really have no room to move. I am 6 foot and could see over the windshield. Turn the key and nothing else matters.

 

[bnickel]

maybe he meant to run another ground to a starter bolt, therby creating a better ground at the starter? do you have and engine-firewall ground on the car? that might help as well

 

[gp001]

I was at the tire store the other day and my starter does what it usually does when it's hot. it just barely makes a noise and it cranks slow, and doesn't start until it's cool again.
somebody had a sunbeam tiger there, and was more or less familiar with ford's.
he said to try running another battery cable from the negative batt. terminal to the starter. that made no sense. my engine would crank all the time if I did that. but maybe he meant from the solonoid to the starter, or the batt. to ground. something about and extra cable helping alot on hot starts.
any of this make sense?

I find it odd that you are having heat related issues with the starter. Most people switch to the Ford external solenoid setup to resolve heat related issues with the starter. Is you solenoid good? Is it solidly grounded (the solenoid grounds by it's connection to the metal)?. Check your ground cables. Make sure they are tightly connected, the connections are clean (no corrosion, rust, dirt, oil), and make sure the cables are good. Many times moisture will get into the cable and corrode or rust it inside the insulation, especially if the cable bends downward trapping the moisture. You might also try going to a bigger gauge cable. You could get one of those Thermo Tec starter heat shields, but I think your problem lies in the cables or connections.

 

[2nd Mustang]

but I think your problem lies in the cables or connections.

Yes, I agree too. I had two vehicles with starting problems. After changing batteries, starters and solenoids, the problems persisted on an occasional basis. I ended up changing both the positive and negative cables and the problems were solved. Try to get a good quality cable, not those universal clamp on ends, those are a piece of junk.

 

[ratio411]

I had the same problem in the past...
It had more to do with timing than the starter for me.
Cold starts were great, but hot starts were slow and dragging.
By retarding the timing, I got great hot starts, but cold starts produced prolonged cranking times. Also, performance was lost to retarding the timing.
The best cure in this case would be an ignition product that retards timing a few degrees, but only when the starter is engaged. MSD makes a box that performs only this function and nothing else, or you can get full on MSD boxs with this function built in. Other companies make versions as well. A starter heat shield and good grounds are cheap insurance as well, but the Ford starter is much less prone to heat soak than the Chevy version with the solenoid on the starter. Alot of Chevy folks convert to the Ford solenoid to cure heat soak.
You might try relocating the solenoid from the engine compartment. I put my battery, and later solenoid, in the trunk and it worked well... as long as I kept my grounds secure. Battery in the trunk mod is very touchy about grounds.
Dave

 

[foghorn67]

thanks guys, good advice.

 

[Gummi Bear]

thanks guys, good advice.

Try putting in a starter for a 94 GT and automatic. It should bolt right up, wiring is easy, I can explain how if you like. They are around $100 for a brand new one at a local parts store with a lifetime warranty. Gear reduction starter for cheap (they are smaller, and less affected by heat also)

A tech article on the starter replacement, complete with FoMoCo part numbers. I found the starter at my local O'Reilly's. AZ Bronco

Start by replacing your cables though, as mentioned before, and check, double check, and triple check your grounds. I find a lot of electrical problems stem from having a poor ground. If you really want to establish good grounding conductivity, you should have a cable that bonds from your motor, to the chassis, body, and roll cage if applicable. Good clean connections and quality cable intended for DC current are all you need.