<VV> Starting Problem

[RoboMan91324@aol.com]

Hi Brian,

It is probably a temperature related problem.  That is ... a starter temp 
problem, not necessarily an engine temp problem.  Whether or not the engine is 
hot, when the carbs run dry, you need to crank the starter for a long period of 
time.  The starter gets HOT.  The starter is designed for relatively short 
term use.  With that said, there is a possibility that the ignition / starter 
switch has the same issue.  The power that runs through the switch to the 
solenoid is minor compared to the power that turns the starter motor but is still 
significant.  The power running through the switch may be heating things up and 
making the contacts stick.  You do not want an under-the-dash fire.  

Here is an experiment.  Disable the ignition so that the engine will not 
start.  Check to see if you can make the starter stick on by jumping the solenoid 
under the car.  If you can do that, the problem is with the starter/solenoid 
and probably not in the switch.  

WARNING!  If you do not have a remote starter button, get one.  They are 
cheap and readily available at your FLAPS.  It is never a great idea to be 
jumpering contacts on the starter while crawling around under the car.  If you do so, 
make sure that both rear wheels are off the ground and that you are using 
GOOD jack stands and that they are on a concrete or similar base and that they 
are placed under a point on the underside of the car that will not allow them to 
slip.  If you have a set of those split steel tube jack stands, throw them 
out before you are tempted to use them for anything other than a paper weight.  
They are dangerous.  Also, things like cinder blocks or even concrete blocks 
are an accident waiting to happen.

Lastly, be ready to disconnect the battery to stop the starter once you 
determine where the problem is.  You don't want to fry a perfectly good starter.

Good luck,
Doc
~~~~~~~~~~~
In a message dated 10/19/2004 12:06:15 PM Pacific Daylight Time, 
virtualvairs-request@corvair.org writes:


> Message: 7
> From: "Brian E. Terry" <beterry@mijes.com>
> To: "Duane, Jim" <Jim.Duane@DigitalNet.com>, <virtualvairs@corvair.org>
> Subject: Re: <VV> Starting problem
> Date: Tue, 19 Oct 2004 14:43:08 -0400
> 
> Jim:
> 
> It doesn't seem to be a function of temperature.  It happened once when the 
> engine was warm but I had run the carbs dry on gas.  It seems to be more like 
> the number of cranks - if the car fires right up it will be fine.  If it has 
> to crank more than a couple of seconds, it will go into this non-stop 
> condition.  A couple of additional details:
> <snip>