Not sure where to post this one but I figured since I've had the problem since I started boosting maybe I should post here. Anyway, is it possible that excessive heat in the engine bay can cause the starter to fail? Lately it seems that after driving around for a while and after I shut down and restart again the car just wont start. I've jumped the battery before and that does not do anything. Once I open the hood and let the engine cool for about an hour, it starts up again. Don't have this problem any other time except after driving for a while. My coolant temps are also on the high side so it does get hot in there. Only way I can start the car again is if I clutch start it. I've already heat wrapped the manifold to control temps and I am about ready to get a thermal barrier for the starter. Let me know if heat may be the factor in this problem or should I start troubleshooting somewere else. Thanks

 

Its called starter solenoid heat soak. Common on older cars. Just wrap the starter with some insulation and try to bring down underhood temps. A vented hood works wonders.

 

Is the car cranking over and not starting or is it not cranking over aswell?

Mr Gasket makes a starter that is suppost to help eliminate heat soak problems.

 

Yeah, if its cranking then look to your distributor.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by coneheadsracing &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Yeah, if its cranking then look to your distributor.</TD></TR></TABLE>

... or a main fuel relay...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by N20civicB18 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Is the car cranking over and not starting or is it not cranking over aswell?

Mr Gasket makes a starter that is suppost to help eliminate heat soak problems.</TD></TR></TABLE>

It does not crank over at all. When I turn the key it just seems like there is no power to the starter and occasionally a ticking sound will happen. I suspect heat soak is the main issue now. I never thought that this could be a problem since it is a '99 GSR engine but I guess a cramped CRX bay with no hood venting is really getting hot under there. I'm gonna do the washer trick on the hood and wrap the starter and hopefully it fixes the problem.

 

I'm going through the same problem right now but my car hasn't started. It does not crank and is not the battery. It's a 96 gsr motor in a eg body and I'm also boosting. Let me know if anyone knows anything.

 

Mine is definitely the result of heat soak. After letting it cool down for about half hour the car starts up again. I finally drove mine without the hood for a quick test and sure enough the starter never had a problem. I'm wondering now what else is affected by heat soak. If your starter does not turn at all even after its been cooled down then it might be time for a new starter and also check your connections.

 

ticking coudl also mean main starter relay is bad. it's an easy fix and cheap. so try changing that out.