No ignition switch when warm ???

[Chris's69]

This just started about a week ago on my 69? Only 600 miles on the car. First thing in the morning the car cranks right over without hesitation. Will run all day long perfectly fine. BUT ... when I turn the car off, say to run into 7-11 to get a Big Gulp, and get back in the car and turn the key .... no click, no crank, no nothin ? Electrical is all on and running fine, but key into the starting position and get nothing. UNTIL .... the car sits for a WHILE and cools down away from operating temp, car then cracks right over ????? Anybody help me on this one ????

[PARKERRS]

Sounds like your solenoid is overheating. How close is your exhaust to the starter, and is itheaders or manifolds? This is a fairly common problem on camaro's with certain header/starter combo's.

Tommy

[Chris's69]

gotcha ...
running hooker headers

so would some starter heat shielding do the trick ?

[astroracer]

gotcha ...
running hooker headers

so would some starter heat shielding do the trick ?

Nope... It actually makes it worse because it will hold the heat in.... I had this problem on my 'Bird. I got real quick at replacing starter solenoids.
What you want to do is intall a remote solenoid kit. Here is one from MAD Enterprises and I think Summit & Jegs carry them also.
http://www.madelectrical.com/catalog/st-1.shtml

[Chris's69]

AAAAAAHHHHHH !!!!!!!!!!!!
Ok ... pulled the starter last night and put on a brand new solenoid and a heat shield. Only 2 small wires and 1 large wire connected to the solenoid and I put the new one one EXACTLY the way the old one was wired. Turned the key ... no click ... no RRRRRRRR ... no NOTHIN !!!!!!!!! What the hell ???????????

[PARKERRS]

Make sure the poles on the new solenoid are the same as the old and not reversed. Then I would check the brushes in the starter.It could be the solenoid is stuck or the brushes, an old parking lot trick was to tap the starter with a hammer while someone turned the key. Be very careful trying that one you don't want to get run over by your own car if it is in gear. This only works with old style GM starters, the new ones and some of the high torque models use earth magnets and rapping on them with a hammer will destroy them internally.

Tommy

[BonzoHansen]

This may sound dumb, but when it won't start, does the ignition wire down to the solenoid have power (purple maybe)?

[PARKERRS]

Not sure about the color. Some starters have 3 terminals, others have two. The 3 terminal use one to carry current to the ign. while cranking. The 2 terminal have the large " hot" terminal, and the other activates the starter when the key is turned. I may be wrong, correct me if I am.

Tommy

[6'9"Witha69]

The Camaro uses a large 8-10 ga purple wire for the main power. The purpose of the other wire escapes me right now. The third is from the battery.
This is not just a Camaro problem. It is a problem for any old Chevy with Headers and a stock style starter. Mini starters usually don't have this issue since the smaller size moves the solenoid closer to the block and away from the headers. The other advantage is that with many mini starters you can clock the starter to the mounting block to really help get the solenoid away from the heat. The added starting power without the added draw really helps kickin it over faster. Even the "High Output" or "Heavy Duty" stock style starters never did well turning over my 10.8:1 SBC. If you don't have a mini starter, they are a good investment. Mine is now 6+ years old and still works great even for the cheapy PAW brand!

[Chris's69]

ok ...
went out tonight and checked all the wires ... all was fine.
did a little tap tap with a hammer ... still no click or crank.
desided to remove the starter again and remove the "new" solenoid and put the "old" solenoid back on ( with a heat shield ) ... car fired right up.

would you call this a bad "new" solenoid ?

[PARKERRS]

Sounds like a bad one to me. Alot of your chain parts stores( advance, pep boys, o'rielly) carry parts manufactured in china, tiawan etc. It's not unusual to get a bad one or for it to have a short life expectancy. I feel your pain, been doing alot of order and return with repro parts lately due to qaulity, fit or they just plain send me the wrong part and say that it fits my model.

Tommy

[69HuggrrrPT]

I had this happen to me as well on a trip to the Camaro Superfest in MI, 6 hours away from home.
It ended up that the purple wire was acually getting too hot. Whoever had the car before me had the wire right under the heater hoses actually touching them. I cut the wire to the correct leght and put a heat shield over it and all was good.

[Chris's69]

swear it NEVER ENDS !!!!!!!!!!
Car started just fine this morning. Even let it get HOT, turned it off, waited a minute, fired right back up no problem.

BUT !!!!!!! Now there is a GRINDING noise coming from the engine when under throttle???? Little throttle, lot of throttle ... sounds like putting a stone in a tin can. But ... get off the gas and no sound at all? Can this be related to the starter at all????

[6'9"Witha69]

I had a starter do that once. The pinion would not stay back and when you accelerated it would come out a little and hit the flywheel! Also had a similar sound with a Torque converter cover that came loose.

[Chris's69]

I'm thinking its part of the starter too.
I'm taking it there is no fix for this, except to replace the starter??