Hot start problems, help!

[GRS72GT]

I've been having a problem with my GT the last couple of weeks... Car starts up just fine in the morning, no problems. When it is really hot outside, or if I have driven on the freeway for a bit, it won't start up right away. It's fine if I turn the car off and right back on again (within about 10 minutes...), but if I wait longer than that, the car won't start up again unless I wait another half hour or so for it to cool off.

When this happens, the ammeter does drop down when I hit the ignition, which clearly shows power is being taken to the starter... but nothing. Sometimes the solenoid clicks, sometimes not... The car will push start, however, which is really inconvenient at times

I have tried just about everything... I've replaced the main ground from the engine to the body. Ran through all the wiring in the starting system and replaced the bad connections. Last option is to replace the starter (which thankfully I have a spare!)

If anyone has any suggestions before I swap the starter out, let me know

Thanks,

Gabe

[jlthunder]

You are on the right track. Worn starters will act this way.

When hot, they crank slowly.

If it cranks normally, then you are getting vapor lock. The gasoline vaporizes from the carb(and/or lines) under a hot hood and it will take some time for the gasoline to refill the carb.

HTH

Jeff

[GRS72GT]

Thanks for the input. It doesn't even crank when it's hot, so I'm guessing it probably is just the starter. It is an aftermarket starter that the previous owner put on... it doesn't even look like the original!

[jlthunder]

Opel used two different starters on the 1.9. Bosch and Delco. They look different, but they both work.

[kwilford]

Also look for the condition of the ground strap between the body frame rail and engine block on the passenger side. This EXACT think happened to me (but twenty five years ago) and when cold, the strap made a good enough connection to crank the engine, but not when hot. In my case, it was simply the bolt to the block had slightly loosened off. Removing the bolt, cleaning the strap and block surfaces and replacing the bolt cured the problem. But it took me two months and about twenty push starts to find and fix. I would intentionally park on a hill so I could push start it myself!

[jlthunder]

Good Thought Keith. Look at the simple things first!!

[Anonymous D]

Install a relay in the ignition circuit. It's not unusual, for ignition switch operation to be affected by heat, and the relay will allow full power to reach the starter solenoid.

Opel GT Ignition Tips

[GRS72GT]

I already replaced the ground strap about a week ago thinking that might be the problem. I'll try cleaning up the contact surfaces at each end and see if that helps. Thanks for the advice though

[GRS72GT]

AnonymousD, the ignition switch was bypassed by the previous owner. There is a push-button switch with a relay installed already. I'll comb through that wiring just in case...

Thanks again

[opelwasp]

If you end up needing a new starter, get a new high powered one from OGTS. They crank like nobody's business. Finding remans are getting hard to do.

[ungermm]

Originally Posted by GRS72GT Sometimes the solenoid clicks, sometimes not...

When this happens, have someone push the starter button, then you knock the solenoid with the handle of a hammer or big screwdriver. If it starts cranking, then you probably have your answer.

Jerry

[GRS72GT]

Everyone,

Thanks for all the suggestions. I tried everything but it still wouldn't work. I don't recommend doing it in 100 degree weather in a parking lot , but I just finished replacing the starter. It fired right up without any problems. I'll find out soon if it still has problems when hot...

[blancojp]

Originally Posted by GRS72GT Everyone, Thanks for all the suggestions. I tried everything but it still wouldn't work. I don't recommend doing it in 100 degree weather in a parking lot , but I just finished replacing the starter. It fired right up without any problems. I'll find out soon if it still has problems when hot...

You had a starter solenoid problem, when they are old they do not respond well to heat.

[ungermm]

Man, 100 degrees, where could that be? It's hot here too. Then I saw that your from Fullerton. My daughter sent me a pic 2 weeks ago of a red GT with western rims at the Moonraker Apts. on Nutwood in Fullerton... just like yours. Could this have been your car?

[GRS72GT]

Originally Posted by ungermm Man, 100 degrees, where could that be? It's hot here too. Then I saw that your from Fullerton. My daughter sent me a pic 2 weeks ago of a red GT with western rims at the Moonraker Apts. on Nutwood in Fullerton... just like yours. Could this have been your car?

Haha, yep, that's mine. Needs some work, but I'm going over it bit by bit...