I have a 1984 TA 305 L69. It starts great cold--all the time. After the engine is hot after a drive, I'll make a quick stop and try to restart, the car does not want to turn over--it cranks VERY slowly then fires up. It always starts, but it sure doesn't sound like it wants too.
Someone suggested "heat soak"--what is that and could it be the problem? I've also been told that the starter does that because theres no heat shield--I can't believe thats normal?
Is my solenoid going dead? Help!
the car only has 30K miles on it and like I said it starts PERFECTLY--all the time when cold.
Thanks

 

Sounds like heat soak. Sometimes the solenoid plunger will hang up and cause a sluggish start. You can try a new starter, rebuild it or pick up an inexpensive shield. No, it is not a normal thing and generally a new starter will correct the problem unless modifications have caused there to be excessive heat near the starter. I assume you have checked electrical system?

 

Check the electrical system? I havn't checked it, but I'm sure all is fine. The car starts and runs perfect when cold starting--do you think replacing the starter will solve anything? If it did not come with a shield when new and ran fine for years--why would it need a shield now? Doesn't make sense to me--no mod of any kind on this car accept a Accel coil and plug wires.

 

Part of any troubleshooting starts with the basics. Although I believe your problem is the starter batteries can get flaky when they get hot and lose efficiency. That is why most GM cars from about 97 on come with a battery blanket, to insulate the batt from intense engine compartment heat. About your problem, many times starter problems become aggravated by heat. I only suggested a shield as a means to isolate the problem and possibly avoid replacing the starter. If you are like me you probably would rather fix it than throw a band-aid on it. What typically happens is that the starter just gets gummed up with dirt, the lubrication drys from the heat it is exposed to and this causes sluggish operation especially when it gets hot. Many times simply disassembling and cleaning and lubricating will restore operation. If you decide on a rebuild I would strongly urge you to go with an AC-Delco reman. The crap these chain auto stores sell usually don't hold up. All they really sell is a warranty, but who wants to crawl under the car every six months. Also, if you do rebuild or replace it the addition of a shield will extend the life and also dramatically reduce current drain when it gets hot. Even a new one will lose efficiency when it gets hot. LOL, Dan

 

Thanks, I'll be replacing the starter next week with a AC reman.