Recurring Starter Issues

[ChuckG]

How do your wires look--both connectors and insulation? Twenty+ years is a long time.

In my own case, the last six inches of just about every wire to the starter was toast. Replacing them fixed this exact problem, in my case.

[Ed89]

Yes I did read some where that GM only guarantees the wiring harness for about twenty years. With the heat the engine throws off you would think the wiring would be crisp critters after twenty. Actually from what I see it doesn't look bad at all, but you never know.

Driving in the rain actually dissipates this problem. Cooler Engine.

[ChuckG]

GM guarantee anything more than 12/12,000 and the emissions/safety stuff mandated by Federal law in the 80s?

My OD died at 58k: needed a valve job at 58k: whole motor rebuild at 73k. Along the way, tons of clear coat delamination and wiring headaches.

GMs response to any of these common matters? "Oh well! Out of warranty--poor maintainer". Apparently, everyone has the same bad maintenance on that early clearcost. Corvette owners are notorious in not washing and waxing their cars properly, right?

Almost sorted out, but sometimes I wonder if there's much left on this car that rolled out of Bowling Green in Oct,1984...

[Ed89]

I have traced the purple wire and came across this splice about 6" from the starter wrapped in tape. Removed the wire from the splice with a fresh piece of 16g wire and solder and covered it up. I also noticed the same stud on the starter to be loose it would actually move? After tightening the wire the stud also tightened. I have also reconfigured that orange wire so it's not on top of the ignition stud. I'll let you know what happens.

[ChuckG]

That's pretty fugly. Bet you found your problem.

[Ed89]

The car is starting fine now, I also added a complete bypass of the VATS system which includes the modular. I have an after market security system anyway don't need two systems to drive me crazy. I still believe the VATS modular was the culprit, the previous owner did the key bypass.