I have a 1989 Pontiac Formula with the 5 speed & 305 TPI engine. Once while moving in slow trafic I let off the clutch too soon & tha car stalled then would not start again. I pushed it to the side of the road. The key turned & the guages moved the windows worked the horn blew but the starter would not turn ( No Sound at all). After sitting for like 45 minutes all of a sudden it turned over & started up. So I drove it home. it seems to start right up after short local trips but after highway speed driving on the highway I have to sit & wait like 1 to 2 hours then it will start right up & continue to start up. Is is possible that this is a starter problem? The starter does not make any wierd sounds & cranks fine when the engine is not hot.


Thank you


------------------
1989 Firebird Formula 305 TPI 5 Speed 3.45 Ratio posi traction limited slip rear
No T-Roof Bone Stock Car

 

Sounds like a starter heat problem. Mine stopped working when it got hot, but I have headers..

-- Joe

 

My Car formula is 100 percent factory no mods & thjis is a new problem. I am in Ny & I have driven to Delaware stopping only for gas & had no problems but within the past month everytime it gets hot this happens.

The first time this happened I had to wait for about 40 minutes then the car started & it was a hot day. The second time it was not as hot that day but I had to wait about 1 & 1/2 hours before the car finally started. I could not even see the starter since the car sits so low so i could not try tapping the starter.

Is this a problem internally with the starter seizing somehow or solenoid?

Thanks



------------------
1989 Firebird Formula 305 TPI 5 Speed 3.45 Ratio posi traction limited slip rear
No T-Roof Bone Stock Car

 

It's the starter itself. It's the only starter problem that I know of that I don't know how to solve.

Get a new one. By the time they get old enough to start doing that, they're so old that they need brushes, the drive is worn out and could fail at any time, etc. It's just time for another one.

------------------
"So many Mustangs, so little time..."
ICON Motorsports

 

Had this very same problem, Trust me, its the starter

 

Had this very same problem, Trust me, its the starter

 

I have the exact same car from long island too. you should come auto-xing at the nassau colisume.

anyway, it MAY be your VATS lock cylinder. but the hot engine thing sounds like a starter. but VATS may be intermtitent too.

 

Sounds like you have a bad spot in your starter. Your best bet is to just go ahead and get a new one.

------------------
j.wolfe
_ ____ _
91 GTA L98
Best time: 14.389@95.49 (VMP)
"...Deception..." Brandon Sloan * ...wounds heal and chics dig scars...

 

Thanks for the advice..Can I install the starter myself or have it installed? The car sits pretty low so even with jacks i am not sure if i could reach it. What about the solenoid i hear so much about?

Thanks

------------------
1989 Firebird Formula 305 TPI 5 Speed 3.45 Ratio posi traction limited slip rear
No T-Roof Bone Stock Car