Cascade Crew

cindylew · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 10:43 am Post subject: Help me solve this mystery

I have owned may 88 IROC since it was new and now have this problem:

It will start and run just fine, but when I turn it off it will not start again
right way. It could take 1 hour to start. All electrical lights up, windows work, radio, but other then that acts dead. It does not even crank over.
The problem began after Ron Tonkin replace the fuel pump. I took it back, for a fuel leak and this problem. They said I needed a tune up. This does not sound right. Had a tune up in April.
Problem seems to be electrical.

I'm not a mechanic by a long shot. Does anyone have any ideas.

Cindy

TecherB · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 10:50 am Post subject:

is the engine cranking but not starting?

cindylew · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 10:53 am Post subject: NO it is not cranking

cindylew · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 10:55 am Post subject:

No, the engine is not cranking over.
Cindy

Dewey316 · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 10:56 am Post subject:

It could be that the starter is heat-soaked. If you let it sit for a while, and cool down, does it start up?

Ohh, and BTW welcome, from another Gresham Camaro driver!

TecherB · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 10:57 am Post subject:

if the engine is not even cranking over then it has nothing to do with fuel or a tune.
it is likely a starter starter relay or ignition switch maby even bad electrical connection

Al Hasse · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 11:03 am Post subject:

I was almost thinking VATS, but it's an 88 and IIRC, that started in 89 and only locks you out from starting for only 4 minutes.

I would have to agree it someting electrical and most likely the starter, I had a 72 Chevelle (first car many years ago) which acted similarly and the problem was the brushes in the starter.

cindylew · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 11:12 am Post subject:

I really can't seem to relate it to the car being hot. Sometimes it can happen just driving to a local store, but maybe that's enough.
CIndy

305 302eater · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 11:24 am Post subject:

It sounds like it would be a starter. But kinda hard to tell with this much info. Does the car get to operating temp? Maybe try this, start the car then turn it off and see if it starts up again.

cindylew · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 11:35 am Post subject:

I'll starting it and turning it off when I get back to Gresham. What should the running temp be?
Cindy

Dewey316 · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 11:37 am Post subject:

Normal temps should be 200*-220*ish

Whe he is suggesting, is that when the car is still cold, start it, and shut it off after just a minute or two, so it has no chance to warm up at all, and then try to restart it again.

cindylew · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 11:43 am Post subject:

Thank you. Everyone for your help. Please don't stop with the suggestions.

The running temp is usually 220. So this weekend I will look into all
ideas on what this could be.

Cindy

305 302eater · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 11:44 am Post subject:

Thanks for explaining that better john.

91RSVert · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 12:05 pm Post subject:

I'll 4th or whatever the starter problem. Had this alot with my s10 that had headers.

QwkTrip · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 3:24 pm Post subject:

Red Bird · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 3:48 pm Post subject: same issues

I have had the same problem, its been doing the same thing for a while, i thought it was a heat soak issue so i wrapped my Y-pipe in header tape, i thought that fixed it but a month or two after i went to fill up, went to turn the key and nothing, everything else eclectrical functioning fine. I waited a while for a freind to come and help me push start it, before he got there i tried it again and it fired right up. So i swapped out the starter for a brand new bosh unit. it worked fine with no issues for a few months, but once it started getting warm again it would act up on me. At the last autocross i had the issue start up in grid, and it was pissing me off!!! but i found that if i turn the key back and try it after waiting a few seconds numerous times, it will either run the starter as if there was no problem at all, or the car will start to turn over but really slowly like its in slow motion, if it does not get the car started, when i turn the key off and try it again it fires right up. the battery is brand new as well, and my connections at the cables and starter seem to be fine. any ideas?

91RSVert · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 4:11 pm Post subject:

Bird. Try replacing the battery wire.

My gp had some weird start issues. It was corroded inside the sheething. If your starter has gotten hot, it could have damaged the strands inside that cable.

Twilightoptics · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 4:36 pm Post subject:

Loose battery cable or faulty starter solenoid.

'92 camaro boss · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 9:29 pm Post subject:

my '92 camaro had the same exact problem, problem was my battery cable, and my starter is starting to go bad too, try either cleaning the terminal and put it back on and see if it doesn't run right, ooorrr just go buy another cable, if it ain't the problem then your only out like $5-10 bucks