It sounds like something in the electrical circuit for the starter is =
getting high resistance when it gets hot. =20
1. Check the battery cables and the connections at both the battery and =
at the ground and at the starter. Make certain that they are all clean =
and tight.=20
2. Use a ammeter to check the stater draw when it is hot and =
malfunctioning. It should be over 100amps and less than 200 amps. If it =
is low the problem is most likley a bad connection, if it is high , it =
is most likely a bad starter. You can also use a volt meter to check =
"voltage drop" in the starter power and ground ciruits. To do this you =
hook a volt meter in parallel with the circuit to be measure while the =
circuit is in operation. This will probably take two people. While the =
starter is cranking, connect the two leads of a volt meter between the =
positive battery post and the battery cable connection frist on the =
solenoid(which on your Fiat engine is part of the starter) and then in a =
second test on the heavy connector between the solenoid and the starter =
motor itself. The difference between the two measurements is the voltage =
drop inside the solenoid. The total voltage drop should not be more the =
.2 volts. Doing the same test on the "ground " side of the circuit, =
between the negative post of the battery and the block of the engine =
should not result in a voltage drop of more than .1 volt. The battery =
must be fully charged to do these tests.DO NOT CONNECT THE VOLTMETER =
BETWEEN THE BATTERY POSITIVE TERMINAL AND THE HEAVEY WIRE THAT GOES =
DIRECTLY INTO THE STARTER IF THE STARTER IS NOT ACTUALLY BEING ACTUATED =
AND IS CRANKING OR TRYING TO CRANK AND DO NOT LEAVE IT CONNECTED AFTER =
STOPPING THE STARTER FROM CRANKING. THE VOLT METER WILL BLOW IF YOU DO. =
It must be in parallel.High voltage drops mean high resistance. High =
resistance ussually means bad connections. Marelli starters are =
notoriously bad. It many be a bad starter. Regards, Greg Solow
-----Original Message-----
From: Hooley, Tim T [SMTP:Tim.Hooley@gs.com]
Sent: Saturday, October 31, 1998 7:49 AM
To: 'morgans@autox.team.net'
Subject: Starting when hot.....
Hello,
I have had my 1986 Fiat-powered +4 for almost a year now and I am well =
and
truly in love....
I am hoping that someone can help me to solve a small problem involving =
the
car being very difficult to start when hot - the starter motor seems to
become very lazy and turn very slowly, if at all - this seems to get =
worse
as the car gets hotter...
I realize that this is quite a mundane problem but would really =
appreciate
any advice.
Thanks.
Tim.
|