OK guys, I'm kinda stumped on this heat soak problem,
https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=262797
the heat shield didn't help. I'm thinking of replacing the (+) cable from the batt to the starter and I want to know how long it is and any other details I need to know about replacing it.

 

Why do you need to know the legnth? Just buy an OEM replacement cable.

Replacement is straight forward, no secrets.

Oh yeah, did you put a rebuilt or a remanufactured starter in back in 1998? If it was rebuilt, it could easily be junk 6 years later. Make sure your cables are tight and not corroded. You can also do a voltage drop test on the cable to make sure voltage at the battery and the starter is the same. If it is, i'd replace the starter and not the cable. The only time I replace cables at work is when battery acid has damaged them. They're pretty reliable otherwise.

 

The starter has actually been replaced a total of 3 times by the dealer. Once in '98, then again a few weeks ago, then AGAIN before I picked it up (same visit), apparently the first starter they put in was bad. Could I have <i>another</i> bad starter??

 

Yep, most starters are made or re-maned in Mexico.

I think the heat soak thing is a myth. As its not the heat. But a crappy assembled starter. My 1 trip with a "heat soak starter" turn out the case screws didn't tighten enough. They clean n replate them thing several time in their life. And the screws did not go in deep enough.

I figured it out by grabbing the cables on the starter and could see the whole end piece flex as I yanked on them. It should not move.