Heat Soak problem... - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

Paul in VA · 08-23-2011

Hi All:
I have a 1991 ZR-1 which has a problem... ocasional no starts.

I have an actual lead on my car's ocassional no-start problem. On the way home from WMW (WAZOO Maintenance Weekend), I stopped at a Sunoco and filled up. Again no start... plenty of juice (underhood lights bright). I already solved the VATS issue and replaced the battery. Apparently I have a heat soak issue. I push started the car and it ran fine. At least I now have a direction (and old wiring may also relate to the heavy electrical load with the A/C on). I suspect the wires going from the battery tp ? (relay?) have degraded and when the car is hot, they won't carry the current to start the car. This last go around at the gas station, the car wouldn't even start with a jump using crappy jumper cables. With a push of 20 feet on a almost level surface, I poped the clutch and the car started and ran great.

This was really hard to figure out as I don't usually make short trips, or if I do, the car sits and cools off; I am not restarting the car right away.

So I have been reading about this common Corvette problem and it seems that the "fix" is replacement of the wire from the battery to the ? (relay, solenoid, ?) Apparently I need to replace the wire or bypass the wire.

Questions:

1) Is there a pre-assembled harness that I can purchase and should be replacing?

2) Is there a component before the starter that I should also replace (fuse/relay)?

3) Should I also replace the starter?

Your thoughts are welcome.

Aurora40 · 08-23-2011

I'd guess it is a lot more likely that the starter is on the way out vs the battery wiring. Your symptoms are very typical of a starter dying.

FU · 08-23-2011

I had similar problems with one of my car's. Short run's the car would start no problem. On the interstate's every time I shut the car down.....DNS !
A new starter fixed that problem.

Paul in VA · 08-23-2011

Thanks guys! Starter on order!

XfireZ51 · 08-23-2011

Try the $30 starter rebuild on eBay. Done 2 of them.
Works fine!

08-23-2011	#1
Paul in VA Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Sterling, VA Posts: 147	Heat Soak problem... Hi All: I have a 1991 ZR-1 which has a problem... ocasional no starts. I have an actual lead on my car's ocassional no-start problem. On the way home from WMW (WAZOO Maintenance Weekend), I stopped at a Sunoco and filled up. Again no start... plenty of juice (underhood lights bright). I already solved the VATS issue and replaced the battery. Apparently I have a heat soak issue. I push started the car and it ran fine. At least I now have a direction (and old wiring may also relate to the heavy electrical load with the A/C on). I suspect the wires going from the battery tp ? (relay?) have degraded and when the car is hot, they won't carry the current to start the car. This last go around at the gas station, the car wouldn't even start with a jump using crappy jumper cables. With a push of 20 feet on a almost level surface, I poped the clutch and the car started and ran great. This was really hard to figure out as I don't usually make short trips, or if I do, the car sits and cools off; I am not restarting the car right away. So I have been reading about this common Corvette problem and it seems that the "fix" is replacement of the wire from the battery to the ? (relay, solenoid, ?) Apparently I need to replace the wire or bypass the wire. Questions: 1) Is there a pre-assembled harness that I can purchase and should be replacing? 2) Is there a component before the starter that I should also replace (fuse/relay)? 3) Should I also replace the starter? Your thoughts are welcome. __________________ Thanks ... Paul (Paul in VA) WAZOO Member

08-23-2011	#2
Aurora40 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Leesburg, VA Posts: 2,713	Re: Heat Soak problem... I'd guess it is a lot more likely that the starter is on the way out vs the battery wiring. Your symptoms are very typical of a starter dying. __________________ Bob Saveland Former owner of #2517 [IMG]http://a.random-image.net/aurora40/vette.jpg[/img]

08-23-2011	#3
FU Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Found Member Posts: 4,346	Re: Heat Soak problem... I had similar problems with one of my car's. Short run's the car would start no problem. On the interstate's every time I shut the car down.....DNS ! A new starter fixed that problem. __________________ Frank Urbo. NCM Lifetime member # 982 Registry Founding # 237

08-23-2011	#4
Paul in VA Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Sterling, VA Posts: 147	Re: Heat Soak problem... Thanks guys! Starter on order! __________________ Thanks ... Paul (Paul in VA) WAZOO Member

08-23-2011	#5
XfireZ51 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chicagoland, IL Posts: 9,708	Re: Heat Soak problem... Try the $30 starter rebuild on eBay. Done 2 of them. Works fine!