Major Help

[CapriceBoy214]

Ok...I have a 1989 Chevy Caprice with a 350 motor and a crappy 200r4 Transmisson that i will change one of these days to a 700r4.
Well for almost a year now, my car has a MAJOR starting issue. When I drive the car for about 20min or more, once I cut the car off, it wont start again. I have to wait 45min to an Hour (sometimes longer) for it to start again. I have replaced my battery several times. I have a new starter and spark plug wires.
Can someone help me please. Other than that my Caprice runs GREAT!!! And I have had my alternator tested and its GOOD..... Its like my car dont have power, but if someone gives me a jump, the car will start. Please HELP...Thanks

[PeteA216]

It sounds to me like a grounding issue. Check to make sure the ground wire going to the body AND the ground wire going to the engine both have very good connecttions. Unbolt them and scrape up the metal is needed.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by CapriceBoy214

Ok...I have a 1989 Chevy Caprice with a 350 motor and a crappy 200r4 Transmisson that i will change one of these days to a 700r4.
Well for almost a year now, my car has a MAJOR starting issue. When I drive the car for about 20min or more, once I cut the car off, it wont start again. I have to wait 45min to an Hour (sometimes longer) for it to start again. I have replaced my battery several times. I have a new starter and spark plug wires.
Can someone help me please. Other than that my Caprice runs GREAT!!! And I have had my alternator tested and its GOOD..... Its like my car dont have power, but if someone gives me a jump, the car will start. Please HELP...Thanks

since you replaced the battery several times i would recheck the alternator /charging circuit again.....with vehicle running measure voltage across battery then move negative meter lead to engine ground the voltage must be the same...if not repair the bad wires/lugs etc....


with vehicle running and engine cold you should get 14.5volts....if you get 13volts or less your not charging the battery...

if the voltage is more than 15 volts alternator/regulator needs repair...

[Blue Bowtie]

A hot/weak solenoid can cause that. Just because the starter is new doesn't mean it is good. After verifying all the power connections and grounds, it might be something to check. You might also want to check the voltage to the solenoid "S" terminal when the engine is hot.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by Blue Bowtie

A hot/weak solenoid can cause that. Just because the starter is new doesn't mean it is good. After verifying all the power connections and grounds, it might be something to check. You might also want to check the voltage to the solenoid "S" terminal when the engine is hot.

thats a good thing to check as the last couple of starters i replaced had the solenoid connection loose out of the box....that would definately cause intermittent cranking...

[CapriceBoy214]

Do I just take it to a Mechanic or can I actually see a wire "loose". Because before I replaced the starter it was still doing this. Once I took it to the shop, the mechanic said I had a loose wire going to my starter. I drove it for about 2 days and the problem came back. I got the new starter installed and I drove around for about 3 weeks or so and the problem came back.

[Blue Bowtie]

Originally Posted by CapriceBoy214

Ok...I have a 1989 Chevy Caprice with a 350 motor and a crappy 200r4 Transmisson that i will change one of these days to a 700r4...

Not related to your no-crank condition, but the TH200-4R is not necessarily a "crappy" transmission. It can be built to reliably pass through plenty of torque and horsepower. There are many of them behind some fairly high HP Buicks and Chevys, and doing just fine.

As for the no-crank, ALL the connections at the starter should be clean and tight, the solenoid needs to be tightly fastened to the starter nose casting, and all the fusible links near the starter must have continuity. You can test the voltage at the "S" terminal while an assistant operates the ignition switch. Disable spark, and have someone crank while you read the voltage.

[CapriceBoy214]

Well, I just had my Transmission Rebuilt and the take offs sucks. It leaks from the center of the pan where the nut is. And it just got rebuilt about 7 months ago !!!

[Blt2Lst]

Originally Posted by CapriceBoy214

Well, I just had my Transmission Rebuilt and the take offs sucks. It leaks from the center of the pan where the nut is. And it just got rebuilt about 7 months ago !!!

Take it back to the trans shop and have them fix the leak, also have them readjust the TV cable.
If the TV cable is not properly adjusted, your car will not shift right and will feel sluggish.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by CapriceBoy214

Do I just take it to a Mechanic or can I actually see a wire "loose". Because before I replaced the starter it was still doing this. Once I took it to the shop, the mechanic said I had a loose wire going to my starter. I drove it for about 2 days and the problem came back. I got the new starter installed and I drove around for about 3 weeks or so and the problem came back.

i don't know your level of electrical knowledge ....but this is what i do and that is remove starter and take it apart....check brushes for hanging up...[not moving freely],check solenoid connections to starter for looseness...solenoid coil resistance/connections at studs...test starter out of vehicle use jumper cables then jump coil lug for crank action...with meter check for proper voltage at starter when cranking over engine you will need assistant .....when you do this pull fuel pump fuse so engine will not start...also this will show if your ignition switch is working properly...this is not complicated but does take a bit of troubleshooting proceedure to narrow down the defect....most mechanics use the shot gun approach...i like to find the failure and if applicable the cause...as i said before i've found the solenoid to starter nut loose out of the box....new....you will need wrench to tighten....1/4 drive..

there are fuseable links [fuses] that are used to protect wires from causing the car to go up in flames,these fuse links may need replacing, if these links are green /discolored replace them as this could also be your problem...found this on 82 monte carlo after engine was hot/at running temp would not start....that was a bitch to find...

[CapriceBoy214]

Thanks man. I'ma take my car to the shop and let them read exactlly what u put. Thanks!!!