Hot Starter Malfunction Solved! | FerrariChat

Hot Starter Malfunction Solved!

Discussion in '308/328' started by Falcon, Jun 29, 2014.

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  1. Falcon

    Falcon Formula 3

    Aug 19, 2008
    1,304
    New England Region
    Full Name:
    Falcon
    #1 Falcon, Jun 29, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    My car has been starting fine hot and cold. Now comes June and when that car is hot there is a 2 second delay when I turn the key and when the starter engages. A couple of weeks ago after a one hour drive I left the car in the driveway for 10 minutes and when I wanted to put it away the starter wouldn't engage. I determined that heat has to be the reason for this problem. When electrical equipment heats it increases resistance and results in a voltage drop. I noted the starter didn't have any heat shielding. I went to the local speed shop and bought a starter heat shield wrap. So far its working. Starter is engaging when the car is hot. Tools required - None. Time to install - One minute. Cost - $29.95.
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  2. Steve King

    Steve King F1 Rookie

    Feb 15, 2001
    4,367
    NY
    I hope it solves your problem but what I find difficult to understand is the thousands of other 308's that don't have this problem and the start OK.
     
  3. kevin323

    kevin323 Karting
    Silver Subscribed

    My 328 in shop for same problem. Will know Monday if I have heat shield installed. They have been considering rebuilding starter or replacing it with new high torque motor. Think well try shield blanket first though.
     
  4. Freddie328

    Freddie328 Formula Junior

    Jul 29, 2013
    389
    Herts, UK
    Full Name:
    Richard
    I suspect you are prolonging the inevitable requirement for a starter motor overhaul. What you have described is exactly what can happen when they need overhaul.
    If it finally packs up when your away from home the low loader cost and inconvenience is a PITA.
     
  5. Falcon

    Falcon Formula 3

    Aug 19, 2008
    1,304
    New England Region
    Full Name:
    Falcon
    I installed this starter four years ago, its fine. The problem is heat soak. The starter is inches from the headers. The heat is causing a voltage drop. Some owners are installing relays to increase the voltage and overcome the increased resistance. I thought of another car I owned that a new starter failed. Upon inspection I found that the tech had not replaced the starter heat shield. So you can reduce the heat or increase the voltage. I went with the heat reduction.
     
  6. Steve King

    Steve King F1 Rookie

    Feb 15, 2001
    4,367
    NY
    Do you have the insulation over the headers or was that removed. If so were the headers coated to reduce heat in the engine compartment. I still can't see it being a heat sink issue as from my experience both with 308's and other performance cars have never seen this problem. At this point I would not trust the starter. How many miles are on it.
     
  7. Falcon

    Falcon Formula 3

    Aug 19, 2008
    1,304
    New England Region
    Full Name:
    Falcon
    Headers are still insulated. I suspect that 30 years and 69,000 miles has caused some deterioration. In addition I think the insolation on the wiring harness is also less effective so I'm going to add a wrap to it. I may end up adding relay. We haven't got to the hottest days yet and this might not work in August. A friend was very upset this weekend because is new $2,200 starter in his Countach did not fix his hot starter malfunction. I too replaced my starter for no improvement. I'm trying to save you guys time and money. Do the simple and cheap stuff first.
     
  8. andyww

    andyww F1 Rookie

    Feb 7, 2011
    2,775
    London
    The root cause is likely to be voltage drop in the wiring to the solenoid caused by a bad contact on a connector or fusebox. If you were to measure the voltage at the solenoid when its energized I would think you would find its way lower than 12.

    Not sure about the 308 but on the 328 the wiring path to the solenoid is long and tortuous. Even when everything is working there is only just enough voltage left at the solenoid to activate it.
     
  9. Albert-LP

    Albert-LP F1 Veteran
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 1, 2010
    8,167
    around Modena, Italy
    Full Name:
    Alberto Mantovani
    Maybe you just need a booster solenoid.

    And get rid of the catalytic converter...

    ciao
     
  10. Falcon

    Falcon Formula 3

    Aug 19, 2008
    1,304
    New England Region
    Full Name:
    Falcon
    I did.
     

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