Hot starting issue

[Harlan Halsey]

The solenoid draws about 30 A the starter motor over 100 A.
A hot sticking solenoid is a known problem. Replace it. Do not do anything to the starter motor unless mileage indicates that a look would be prudent.

[John Clarke]

Good advice as always Harlan. Just don't tell Al that you are very capable
Jay

[Al Zim]

Harlan: all the stuff we see is from HIGH mileage cars with inoperative odometers. What do you think about a time frame when to look?

[Wes Bender]

Why don't you fix them? It isn't difficult. Send them to either of the instrument shops in California. Now your customers will know when to fill the fuel tank (based upon mileage) and you will have something to enter in that little block for the mileage on your service forms.

[Neil Bardsley]

I found some videos members my find useful

https://youtu.be/IfdW-2zwzqI

https://youtu.be/0cBtG5-SZFg

I'm still waiting the arrival of my new solenoid

[Jeffrey Vogel]

i fixed my 6v hot start issues by running a new cable directly from battery ground thru tunnel to starter

[Neil Bardsley]

That is an interesting idea. I'm not great on electronics what is the difference between having s very good earth to the gearbox and directly to the battery?

[David Jones]

That is a complete and utter waste of time and effort. Paralleling the ground cicuit of the steel of the body would accomplish nothing. Now if the car was made of a composite material or maybe wood then you have a point but the days of making cars totally out of composites are still in the future.

[Harlan Halsey]

1958-1962 Lotus Elite?
If you section an Elite through the driver's seat the only thing you will see is fiberglass with the exception of the exhaust pipe, the drive shaft, the fuel line, and the wiring. That car needs its ground wire. The 356 does not need one.

[Martin Benade]

Running a ground cable is a replacement for a couple of ground straps that must not have had clean connections.

[Neil Bardsley]

An update.

I have added heat insulating spacers in between my Weber's and manifolds

I've added a relay in next to the starter. It used to have one in before but after the fuse went twice I decided to remove it. I've also bought a new solenoid and dropped the old starter in for a rebuild. Since it was the solenoid that was getting stuck. I will put this in the car when it's built but I honestly hate taking the starter out/in

I've also added Fred Winterburn's 6v cd system to the car.

The start couple of test drives have been very positive

The

[Al Zim]

Take your ohm meter and touch the negative pole of the battery and then to the ground in the car. On the T-6 cars the ground through the clamp for the battery hold down can deteriorate because of rust on the battery floor. Then you should check the first 12 /15 inches on the positive cable that attaches to the battery. put one test wire of the ohm meter on the battery post and stab the cable with the other post or use a thin nail. Even a small amount of resistance will make a big difference in the amount of voltage getting to the starter. In my opinion changing the solenoid without checking the condition of the brushes and the contact area on the armature is a futile situation. (June 22, 2022) If you are ambitious remove the starter take the end cap off the starter and blow compressed air through the starter. Cost ZERO! If stuff come out your rebuild consisted repainting and MAYBE a new solenoid.

[Neil Bardsley]

I replaced the ground cable from the battery, cleaned all surfaces and connector a while ago.

Following our advice I also measured the resistance between the positive battery terminal and starter motor. It was < .2 ohm so that isn't the cause.

[Al Zim]

You are not going to like this! Take the starter out of the car and remove the forward end cap (there is no rear cap) and blow compressed air through the starter. Do it over a trash can wear a face shield and aim the starter away from you. If you get metal out it is time for a restoration.

[Doug McDonnell]

No where do I see that you replaced the starter bushing. ??