Hello everyone. Had my car out for a drive yesterday. Was driving for about an hour an stopped for a coffee. Went back out, turned the key an nothing.
After about 10 minutes of poking around, couldn't find anything broken or out of place. Before I was about to call for a tow I tried it again an the bitch started.
Any ideas what could be the issue? Battery is good. Alt is good as well. I'm wondering if there's a ground loose somewhere?
Any help is much appreciated. Cheers

 

Could be a bad icm, have you been able to duplicate the problem ?

 

Is the engine cranking over

 

Sounds like starter solenoid heat soak.

Get a Powermaster mini starter. And of course check your cables.

GD

 

I changed the icm 2 years ago.
The engine would not turn over. Car had power. Fuel pump etc. Just wouldn't crank.
General: that's a good point. The starter to the best of my knowledge could be original.
I've owned the car since '99. Had 100k on it when I purchased it. I've never replaced starter. Is heat soak a common problem for older starters? Thanks for the replies lads

 

What year is the car?

 

Yes it does seem to be an issue. When I first got mine going (sat for 11 years) the starter would work cold but after driving it wouldn't crank or crank very slowly till I let it sit for 15 or 20 minutes to cool down. The original starters were large and close to the exhaust so they get very hot. When they are old and hot they don't work well.

Mini starter is 1000x better. They crank faster, they are 1/3 the size and they don't heat soak.

GD

 

Best way to diagnose it is to get it to act up again and see if your getting power to the starter solenoid if so and if your connetions and battery cables are clean and tight then youll know you have it pinpointed

 

Was looking thru the forums an I noticed quite afew people with the heat soak problem. My car does have headers so that probably not helping. This is the first time this car wouldn't start. I also failed to mention that that just prior to shutting off the car it was left idling for about 10 minutes while I was talking to a friend. I usually never leave the car just idling. On Saturday, it was only 75 degrees here. A really hot day would be 85 for us here. I see most of the problems occure in very hot climates. Az, Cali etc.
I looked on Summit last night, an the Powermaster mini starter is reasonably priced. Prolly a good idea to change it anyway considering its most likely original. Car is an 89

 

Blackout, I'll try an get it to act up again, but I think this was partially my fault jus letting it idle. This is the first time that this has happened.

 

Most likely another heat soaked starter problem like you was saying there notorious for it

 

Was reading about the mini starters. Sounds like they don't like cars that have a trouble starting cold. It's always struggled to start cold. I basically prime the fuel pump turn engine for 3-5 seconds then repeat. Usually takes about 4-5 tries before she fires. Mind you, I don't drive car in the cold months so this is how it is to start in summer. Coil, cap an rotor are all 2 years old. I'll probably change the coolant temperature sensor see if that helps. But I'm hoping the new starter will help it start faster. Once the car is running, it runs like a top

 

Check to see if your losing your fuel prime for your excessive cranking most likely have an injector leaking and that will end up thinning your oil..i have one now thats like that costed the customer an engine..be something to check

 

Oh crap. Ok. Good tip. Thanks man. Injectors are old as well. Changed them 16 years ago