Own a1984 corvette with intermittent starting problem. No cranking, but after an hour's rest starts just fine.

Question

This is a c4 with crossfire engine. The problem always seems to occur when the engine is hot. The starter does not go round, brake warning lamp lights up when ignition key is turned, there are no sounds, headlights not influenced, starter just does not respond. Then, after the car has been sitting for an hour and a half or so, it comes back to life. Should anyone out there have the key to this starting problem, please let me know.

Answer 1

I had the same problem with my '83 Cutlass... drive it for a while, shut it off and go to start it again, and nothing. I had to get a boost to get it going again. Once it cooled off it was fine. I changed the starter, and everything was fine, no problems. Try changing your starter and see if that works. =]

Answer 2

Could be a " heat soak" condition....when the engine is hot, the engine heat and/or exhaust manifold heat causes the starter armature to expand internally and bind up against the coil . This locks up the starter until it cools down and will be able to spin again. Make sure there is a metal heat shield for the starter and you may have to wrap the starter in "header wrap tape" which is a temp resistant material that can be found at parts stores or high performance shops. High-perf stores also carry mini-starters that are smaller than original yet just as strong and aren't as prone to the problem because they have more of a gap between the components although they are a little pricey.
Could also be that your igniton key is not making correct contact inside the ignition cylinder which caauses the computer by default to prevent the car from being started for an hour....would have to be checked by a dealer or some shop with a VATS tester. Paul

Answer 3

Well boinga28, It really is the starter! Chrysler uses the Nipendenso starter on a lot of their cars and trucks. It's a great starter but it has one drawback. When it gets over around 80,000 miles it's contact points in the solenoid burn down to the point they don't make good contact. Especially when cold. I worked for a Chrysler/Dodge dealership and one of my jobs was to fix this particular problem. First we replaced the starters and then I found you could repair the solenoid much cheaper. I have probably repaired something like 50 starters with the same problem up until I retired. Simply find a place that repairs electrical problems, or if you can't, replace it with a re-manufactured which is cheaper than a new one.

Answer 4

The 84s were the problem children of the C4s since it was new. After miles were stacked on the cars they would call them "Cease Fire Injection!"

When you hit the dead spot. Check for fire at the plug wire or distributer. (By turning engine over with a plug wire off / should spark) If you have fire you more than likely have a fuel problem, which means the fuel pump (In Tank) or relay! If you have no fire, this could mean several things, but most likely is distributer or ECM.

Hope This helps!

Answer 5

my 87' trans am does the same thing, sometimes it wont start after just turning it off, the battery is got enough juice all the lights work and anything electrical, so i sometimes go under the car and bang the starter with a wrench and it starts fine, so its mostlikely the starter, but i would take it out and get it checked first so you arent paying the money for the new starter if you dont need it

Answer 6

I'm not familiar with the crossfire engine, but I do know that when coil packs and ignition coils start to go bad they can sometimes not work once they are hot. Also, check your wiring down on your starter and your starter solenoid. The soleniod itself may be goin bad. Make sure you dont have any burnt or melted wires and all your battery/starter/igniton wires are good. Check your starter relay also. If it is goin bad it may not work while its hot.

Answer 7

You may have a loose or corroded cable. Check those first.

This was an oddball engine for sure. I would search out a Corvette mechanic with crossfire experience as this technology was short-lived and specific.

Answer 8

Sounds like a relay issue in the starter or a malfunction in the onboard computer. Your best bet is to take it to a mechanic you can trust and have them run a diagnostic on it. Good luck

Answer 9

sounds like your starter is about to totally go out. There are places that can repair it, or just buy an after market one which may be easier.

Answer 10

SOUNDS LIKE THE STARTER IS GETTING HOT AND WHEN COOLS DOWN IT WORKS AGAIN