Over Heating Starter, won't start after a commute Options

[yellow914]

Starter is apparently over heating during my commute (which it didn't do for the past year)

(1).What's the cause? (yes I know heat...why I odda (IMG:style_emoticons/default/chair.gif) )

(2). Is the only cure a new starter?......or...?

(3). I also have an interesting idle also...the "warmer" the car the lower the idle?

Help Por-favor : (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

[MBowman325]

While it was touched on, it wasn't stated directly as to why the relay may mask another underlying issue.

Something gets hot and then the car will not start.

This implies that an electrical component is heating up to the point of increased resistance. Wire will cool back down, but starter solenoids may "stick" (Refer to exhibits A and B, the 914 and a generic GM V8).

To overcome resistance, (1) the offending component should be replaced (solenoid), (2)environmental factors modified if possible (don't let it get hot), or (3) ensure that more current gets to it ( a)hot start relay b)new wires c)clean grounds).

You'll sometime see a GM with a Ford relay, which addresses generally 1 and 2, though sometimes guys will run bigger cables around for a hat trick.

In our cases, a relay (3) is cheap and appears to give enough of a boost to overcome any issues with the solenoid due to a reduced path to voltage (and less current drop). A replacement starter (1) also fixes it because you're then replacing a potentially 39 year old component with a new one. (Assuming that grounds are good and the cabling doesn't have any extreme voltage drops.

So with a "hot start" relay, you're adding another component (that might could fail, but is cheap) that should address your issue reliably enough until you want or need to spend the additional $80 or so (depending on how you do it in the first place) for a new starter.

As far as ease of installation, adding a relay shouldn't be a big deal. If you have an extra hand the starter is not difficult to install. (Seems like I had some problems in play trying to hang it and get bolts started - not hard, but reach was key)