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#1 |
![]() ![]() Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Komoka, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 571
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I had my first experience with the "dreaded no start" last summer at about 31K miles on my '91. With great reluctance, I carefully installed the relay to route 12V "directly" to the starter (with all safety systems still intact). Almost a year to the day later, the problem reoccurred Monday after a 20-mile, stop-and-go drive.
My current view is that rather than engage in any mods when this occurs, one might be best to have the starter rebuilt or replaced with the upgraded coil, new solenoid, etc. A fresh battery is obviously critical, and you'd want to be sure the clutch switch contacts are not compromised (as mine were not). I know a lot has been written about this problem, but given that it is one of the top issues with "precious", I thought I'd share my experience. Cheers. |
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#2 | |
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Chicagoland, IL
Posts: 9,696
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[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Former Membership Chairman Former ZR-1 Registry - BOD 1972 Corvette 4speed base Coupe SOLD long time ago 1984 Corvette Z-51/4+3 SOLD 1992 Corvette ZR-1 Aqua/Gray #474 SOLD 1992 Corvette ZR-1 Black Rose/Cognac #458 2014 Honda VFR Interceptor DX |
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#3 |
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Chicagoland, IL
Posts: 9,696
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Sorry, but I meant to write that starter rebuild IS a good idea.
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[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Former Membership Chairman Former ZR-1 Registry - BOD 1972 Corvette 4speed base Coupe SOLD long time ago 1984 Corvette Z-51/4+3 SOLD 1992 Corvette ZR-1 Aqua/Gray #474 SOLD 1992 Corvette ZR-1 Black Rose/Cognac #458 2014 Honda VFR Interceptor DX |
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#4 |
![]() ![]() Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Komoka, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 571
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What's the point of bypassing the clutch switch if the starter components are worn such that they don't perform when heat soaked? Mods are not a good substitute for maintenance in my view.
Last edited by ZR1North; 08-10-2012 at 09:42 AM. Reason: Saw later posting |
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#5 |
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Chicagoland, IL
Posts: 9,696
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Starter rebuild AND clutch bypass both help w no-start. I have both on the Black Rose and no problem in 95d heat days.
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[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Former Membership Chairman Former ZR-1 Registry - BOD 1972 Corvette 4speed base Coupe SOLD long time ago 1984 Corvette Z-51/4+3 SOLD 1992 Corvette ZR-1 Aqua/Gray #474 SOLD 1992 Corvette ZR-1 Black Rose/Cognac #458 2014 Honda VFR Interceptor DX |
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#6 | |
![]() ![]() Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Squires (near Ava MO in the Mark Twain N'tl Forest) - Missouri
Posts: 6,493
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Dom, when you say "starter rebuild", you refer to the armature (w/ new ring) and posts exclusively, or more than that?? P.
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Good carz, good food, good friendz = the best of timez! 90 #1202 "FBI" top end ported & relieved Cam timing by "Pete the Greek" Sans secondaries Chip & dyno tuning by Haibeck Automotive SW headers, X-pipe, MF muffs Former Secretary, ZR-1 Net Registry |
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#7 | |
![]() ![]() Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Komoka, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 571
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This solution resonates with me. I neglected to mention in my initial post that when my engine would not crank, I could hear my mod relay kicking in when I had the clutch depressed and the key on; so, the starter circuitry was working and the relay was delivering 12V (or something very close) directly to the starter. It seems to me that the starter was so heat soaked that with its current design, even a "normal voltage" is not enough to crank it once it wears a little. |
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#8 | |
![]() ![]() Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Komoka, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 571
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Re the ignition switch wire - my only question would be - why does the no crank only manifest itself when the engine bay is hot? After getting the car home last Monday, I lifed the clam shell to help exhaust the heat. After 10 minutes (and what I thought was a "click" under the plenium), it fired up right away - that after waiting 30 minutes in the parking lot (without the hood open) without success. Evidence seems stacked against premature wear of starter components. Last edited by ZR1North; 08-10-2012 at 09:52 AM. |
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#9 | |
![]() ![]() Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Squires (near Ava MO in the Mark Twain N'tl Forest) - Missouri
Posts: 6,493
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Maybe 80-90% of the starter problems appear to be rooted in the internal high-current contacts actuated by the solenoid. And, apparently, the clutch interlock safety switch maybe a problem even more so. Point being, the rest of the parts e.g., the solenoid itself or the starter windings, starter (switch) relay, and even the battery, fall back in the shadows. So, just IMO, I'd not favor wholesale replacement, in this case. But, I'd be interested to know what exactly IS the problem this time, and go from there. FWIW, P.
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Good carz, good food, good friendz = the best of timez! 90 #1202 "FBI" top end ported & relieved Cam timing by "Pete the Greek" Sans secondaries Chip & dyno tuning by Haibeck Automotive SW headers, X-pipe, MF muffs Former Secretary, ZR-1 Net Registry |
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#10 |
![]() Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Jacksonville, FL USA
Posts: 4,645
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I'm going to jump in here, if I may.
![]() I would like to offer up something that I read waaaay back in 04 over at CF in the C4 section. It was an alternative cause for the dreaded no start after ya did all the usual stuff with no good results. Yea, I can't seem to locate the thread, but I didn't look for more than 10 minutes also! ![]() I wish I could be more detailed. I should have printed out the thread. I just made a note on the margin of my FSM in the steering column section of the fact that this break does happen. Sorry ![]() ![]() Tom I should say that I was reminded of this wire breaking issue by a shop near Lou that brought this issue up as it seems to plague Camaros and Firebirds from the early 90's & late 80's also. I guess we all use the VATS system and their steering columns are the same or similar to a C4's???? Anyway this was the first thing the mechanic said after the usual suspects were run to ground and found not to be the cause of the no start. Food for thought???
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1990 ZR-1, Black/grey, #2233, stock. ZR-1 Net Reg Founding Member #316 & NCM member Last edited by tomtom72; 08-10-2012 at 08:49 AM. |
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