Overheating and Battery Problem

[wayne williams]

[Admin note - Wayne, This "bounced" as it was "multi-part" HTML encoded.
Post in "plain text" only to avoid "bounces". Patrick]

I just found this site about a week ago and it is full of great info and
will be useful. I have owned this 1973 Painted Desert for about 5
years. Took it for a trial run yesterday after having some work done on
brakes, water pump, radiator hoses getting ready to use it more often
this year. Drove about 40 miles on freeway up some minor grades. The
original temp gauge right at the normal first line. At freeway exit I
was into a major traffic tie-up in temperature of about 96 to 98 degrees
probably. Moved along gradually for about 40 minutes or more and then I
stalled it when trying to start at a traffic signal. Although I had a
new alternator and no prior indications of problem, the engine battery
would not turn over the engine. I switched on the "house" battery which
is a deep cycle, and nothing happened. I called the AAA and it took
nearly 45 min before someone pulled me out of the traffic lane. At this
point my plug-in monitor showed battery voltage and the engine battery
would turn the engine. About 30 minutes later I started the engine and
drove home.

This morning both batteries seem OK, although the "house" battery is
only about mid-charge.

Additional problem appears that I am losing coolant someplace, but not
obviously an external leak.

I intend to change to the other temp sensor that will bring the
indicator to a higher point for normal.
Can heat disable both batteries temporarily? I should not have stayed
waiting at idle in such heat; but that is hindsight. Any suggestions,
clues or comments would be appreciated.

Wayne Williams, EA, GRI
agtwayne
www.taxpertwayne.com
(619) 993-6421

 

[darren paget]

Sound like a hot starter problem. The starter and solenoid are in such close
quarters under there that, sometimes, it will get to warm and wont kick the
solenoid correctly. Once it cools a little it will work again. At least,
that what it sounds like. Darren

> [Admin note - Wayne, This "bounced" as it was "multi-part" HTML encoded.
> Post in "plain text" only to avoid "bounces". Patrick]
>
> I just found this site about a week ago and it is full of great info and
> will be useful. I have owned this 1973 Painted Desert for about 5
> years. Took it for a trial run yesterday after having some work done on
> brakes, water pump, radiator hoses getting ready to use it more often
> this year. Drove about 40 miles on freeway up some minor grades. The
> original temp gauge right at the normal first line. At freeway exit I
> was into a major traffic tie-up in temperature of about 96 to 98 degrees
> probably. Moved along gradually for about 40 minutes or more and then I
> stalled it when trying to start at a traffic signal. Although I had a
> new alternator and no prior indications of problem, the engine battery
> would not turn over the engine. I switched on the "house" battery which
> is a deep cycle, and nothing happened. I called the AAA and it took
> nearly 45 min before someone pulled me out of the traffic lane. At this
> point my plug-in monitor showed battery voltage and the engine battery
> would turn the engine. About 30 minutes later I started the engine and
> drove home.
>
> This morning both batteries seem OK, although the "house" battery is
> only about mid-charge.
>
> Additional problem appears that I am losing coolant someplace, but not
> obviously an external leak.
>
> I intend to change to the other temp sensor that will bring the
> indicator to a higher point for normal.
> Can heat disable both batteries temporarily? I should not have stayed
> waiting at idle in such heat; but that is hindsight. Any suggestions,
> clues or comments would be appreciated.
>
> Wayne Williams, EA, GRI
> agtwayne
> www.taxpertwayne.com
> (619) 993-6421

- --
Darren Paget
76 Experimental
Another Fab Day
paget

 

[john wright]

I also agree your problem as being a condition called heat soak. Very
common for GM cars and trucks and the GMC Classic. My 74 Vega had the
problem. On my GMC I have the remote solenoid Kit installed. The heat
shield does work in most application and you can get those from Jeg's or
Summit and you might find them at your local autoparts store.

J.R. Wright
GMC Greatlaker
77 Eleganza
Michigan

>
> Wayne,
>
> I think Darren's on the right track with his reply.
> I have seen heat shields on the solenoid to help with this problem. They were
> used on 429 and 460 Ford starters that used a GM type solenoid. I have also
> seen shields that covered the solenoid and the starter, but I don't recall
> what they were used on.
> Also starting in the 70's Delco made some solenoids that were more capable of
> dealing with the heat buildup. I think the plastic caps on these solenoids
> are brown instead of black.
>
> David

 

[wayne williams]

This msg is in plain text per Patrick's tip.
And thanks for the comment fromDarren Paget to help me to understand the
problem that I encountered when the batteries would not turn over the engine
when it was hot.
I am going to change the temp sensor to bring the "normal" reading up to
mid-scale and perhaps look into supplemental cooling fans as has been
mentioned in other messages.
This is a wonderful message exchange net for GMC owners.

Wayne Williams, EA, GRI 1973 Painted Desert
agtwayne
www.taxpertwayne.com