MarksmanB

I’ve been having this issues for a while now, my 90 tpi with 5 speed manual sometimes just won’t start. Only after driving somewhere does this happen, not really while It’s at home. I go to start the car and nothing. Even with a jump starter hooked up. I turn the key and I hear the relays clicking but not the starter. I have the cats bypassed with the little computer that I wired in, I have the starter relay bypassed, I’ve never touched the ignition switch if it has one. All lights come on when I turn the key on, radio starts playing, etc.

someitmes disconnecting the terminals and reconnecting it works but not every time. Push starting will always work but it’s hard to do so by myself in a big parking lot with lots of traffic. I’ve taken it to orilleys several times and they say the battery, alternator, and starter seem fine. Also I have 2 keys for it and it doesn’t matter what key I have, it still has issues.

any help would be amazing. It almost seems like this happens when the car gets hot. Maybe something is getting heat soaked, maybe not. I’m like stuck in a parking lot rn so the sooner I can get help the better.

Komet

Disconnecting and reconnecting the terminals where? I'd be looking at the starter circuit itself, tracing where you do and don't have power with a multimeter. How did you bypass the relay?

MarksmanB

sorry I shoulda been more specific. I disconnected the terminals on the battery. I bypassed the relay like a year ago I grounded one of the wires that bypasses it. I also replaced the relay so it’s shouldn’t be a problem

Komet

I bypassed mine by removing the relay and installing a wire with spade terminals on each end that bridges the connection the relay makes, that's a possible low cost way to verify the relay hasn't gone bad.

Since you've made it work by messing with the battery cables, I'd start there and inspect the wires that lead from the battery to the starter. Could also be the ground going to the block but I don't think that's as likely. If you can get it working by jiggling the wires, there's probably a compromised wire somewhere. You could also try bridging the power at the starter to the solenoid quickly and see if that works. Make sure you're in neutral first or you're gonna have a bad time.

IROCThe5.7L

Maybe the starter is getting heat soaked since you said it happens after you drive it. If you let it sit and cool down will it eventually crank?

MarksmanB

thanks for the response. I didn’t jiggle the wires to make it work. I just removed the terminal for a few seconds to let the computers reset and that’s what made it work I believe. I’ll still be checking the starter and the ground for the block, but I don’t think it’s the problem and the starter seems to be in good health still.

MarksmanB

usually yes. What can I do about a starter getting heat soak?

IROCThe5.7L

Are you running headers by any chance? That seems to be when most people run into heat soak issues.

https://www.summitracing.com/search/...rder=Ascending

Komet

Since you've bypassed VATS, the only things a computer in your car has control over is a fan, fuel delivery, timing, and some emissions stuff so it's not a computer reset that's fixing it. Heat soak is certainly a possibility if it only happens when hot.

erik69&85

iTrader: (1)

My 92z has done this for years... Even changed the starter... Helped a little... I just keep turning the key... Might take 5 or 6 clicks... But it always eventually starts... At least it's not wearing down the battery with just a click... Mine is also a 5 speed.

MarksmanB

I just barely put headers on 2 weeks ago. I’ve been having this problem much longer than that.

MarksmanB

yeah mine isn’t just a 5 or 6 clicks. I tried clicking it probably 40-50 times in the almost 2 hours I was stuck

MarksmanB

i don’t know what could be getting heat soak. Does the battery get heat soak? It seems to get awfully hot! I’ve also replaced my entire fuel system and a lot of the important timing components and my entire emissions system besides the EGR is deleted. I’m not sure if a fan getting heat soak would affect startup.

Komet

The starter, would be the thing getting heat soaked. They bind up when the metal expands unevenly. Has it ever happened when the engine is cold? Maybe carry a remote starter switch and when the car is having the issue, hook it up and see if you can get some action. That would narrow down where the problem is.

MarksmanB

i don’t remember a time When it’s done it while cold. What do you mean by a remote starter?

Komet

https://actron.com/content/remote-starter-switch