<VV> Re: Starting Problem

[Duane, Jim]

Hi Brian.

Doc's got a good point.  Actually, considering a good starter is capable
of drawing in excess of 100 amps, it only takes a couple of seconds for
bad solonoid contacts to heat up to the point it can burn you.  If the
starter has a toasted winding, then current can easily double! 

-----Original Message-----
From: virtualvairs-admin@corvair.org
[mailto:virtualvairs-admin@corvair.org] On Behalf Of Brian E. Terry
Sent: Thursday, October 21, 2004 6:20 AM
To: RoboMan91324@aol.com; virtualvairs@corvair.org
Subject: <VV> Re: Starting Problem

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>
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