<VV> Re: Starting Problem

[Brian E. Terry]

Doc:

If it is a starter temp problem, it overheats VERY fast.  From sitting all
night, the problem will occur after cranking for just a few seconds.  I did
try the remote starter yesterday, and the problem exists there as well.  I
cannot mess with it today or tomorrow, so am going to pull the starter on
Saturday and check inside the solenoid.  I will post back to the list with the
results.  Thanks to all so far.

Brian
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: RoboMan91324@aol.com
  To: virtualvairs@corvair.org ; beterry@mijes.com
  Sent: Wednesday, October 20, 2004 6:54 PM
  Subject: Starting Problem


  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>