Re: QTC/5kT(?): Starter heat shields

["G. Erickson" <erickson@teleport.com>]

On Fri, 18 Aug 1995, Steven Buchholz wrote:

> Occasionally I have a problem with the QTC where if I shut down the engine 
> when it is hot, let the car sit for ~10 minutes and then attempt to start 
> the engine again that the starter solenoid does not engage.  I don't even 
> hear it make a sound.  Usually letting the car sit for another 10-20 minutes 
> will allow it to cool down enough for the starter to be revived.  At first 
> the effect seemed to be correlated to having a battery that was not fully 
> charged, but I now keep the battery on a automatic charger when it is in 
> the garage.
> 
> I noticed some starter heat shields for sale in a local auto parts store,
> and I seem to recall someone on the q-list talking about others (Graydon?).
> I checked out the fiche and found two parts listed for the QTC, one appears
> to be a simple piece of sheet metal, while the other seems to be more of an
> insulator (foil & fiberglass).  I do not have either of these on my '83, but
> I noticed something like the insulator on the '88 5kT.  The fiche for the 
> '88 shows only the insulator, and both have the same part number.  If anyone 
> is interested, here are the part numbers from the fiche:
> 
> 	035 911 049  - Starter Cover
> 	035 911 295A - Heat Insulating
> 
> The parts dept says that there are none of the first item (sheetmetal?) in
> the USA, but I can get the second one (for a pretty reasonable price com-
> pared to the aftermarket ones).  
> 
> Now the questions ...
> 
> 1) Anyone else experienced the same problem?  Was it resolved by replacing
>    the starter?

I didn't have the problem on a QTC but on the '80 4KS.  What it turned 
out to be, was that the wires going to the starter had developed enough 
resistance due to their age and exposure to heat, that they wouldn't 
conduct enough current when subjected to additional heat.

I can assure you that the problem will only get worse.  Mine got to the 
point where I had to wait until the engine block was dead cold before the 
starter would work again.

I ended up getting a Bosch 20A relay and wiring it in so that the line 
from the ignition switch would trigger the relay, and it would move 
current from the large terminal on the starter (the positive direct from 
the battery) to the solinoid (sp) trigger terminal.

Let me know if you need any more help.

Gary


> 2) Anyone with a QTC have any insulation or sheetmetal shield on their 
>    starter?  If so which kind?
> 
> TIA for any information!
> Steve Buchholz
> s_buchho@kla.com
> 

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Gary Erickson -- '85 Coupe GT
Hilary Tombaugh -- '80 4KS (5 cyl)

Find us at: erickson@teleport.com