Starter problem – not MM related

[Ross]

OK, this is not related to our marauders, but I know there are a lot of gearheads on here who may have some insight into this.
We have an old 1996 Chevrolet S 10 pick up with the Vortec V6 in it. It only has about 130,000 miles on it.
For a couple of years it has had the problem of starting fine when it is cold, but not starting at all when it is hot. No engine turning over, no clicking sound, nothing. It is either all or nothing. Starts fine cold, but when it is hot you turn the key and nothing happens at all. Kind of limits how we can use the truck.
Various shops have tried unsuccessfully to diagnose the problem with no success. In the past month we have put a new battery and starter in the truck. Still has the same problem. A few days ago we drove the truck about 15 minutes, parked it someplace to do some business for about 20 minutes, came out and had to raise the hood and wait another 35 minutes for it to cool off enough to start. Once it reaches that magic point of being cool enough to start it cranks right up like nothing has ever happened.
It is still a good work truck for around the house, as long as it starts. There has to be some answer to this issue, but no one has been able to figure it out. Any ideas?
Thanks in advance.

[RubberCtyRauder]

I don't know the set up on an s10..is the starter really close to the manifold? Old cars/trucks could suffer from heat soak of the starter like when headers were put on..heat shield/header wrap was about all they could do at the time.. just throwing that out there..have no idea if it is related. or is there a starter solenoid? same thing is it close to manifold?

[Ross]

One dealer suggested wrapping the starter due to heat transfer. He wrapped it with some sort of foil looking insulating material. Made no difference. Other mechanics I have talked to about that wondered why it wouldn't affect all models like that since they were all set up the same.

[Ross]

Also, this problem didn't start until the truck was almost 20 years old so if it was a heat sink problem it seems like it would have been going on long before that.

[RubberCtyRauder]

that makes sense, as i said just throwing it out there. seems like something is getting hot, sensor, pcm, corroded wires etc. see if the battery gets warm after running it. it shouldn't get warm

[fastblackmerc]

I'd replace the battery cable to the starter and the main ground cable. After 20 years I bet there is corrosion in the cables.

Make sure the new connections are clean and tight, including the battery terminals.

[MyBlackBeasts]

I'd replace the battery cable to the starter and the main ground cable. After 20 years I bet there is corrosion in the cables.

Make sure the new connections are clean and tight, including the battery terminals.

^^^ This ^^^
Cable(s) are bad internally or corrosion between negative cable end & block surface. You can test the negative by using a jumper cable clamped on battery neg and a spot on block. Make sure you connect securely, then position the excess cable securely & safely away from hot/moving engine parts and test drive. If issue does not happen then you know where the problem is. If it still happens then replace the entire positive cable. Other than this only thing I can think of is if starter was mounted on a corroded/dirty block surface.

This sounds like you can duplicate it easily so a mechanic should be able to easily diagnose.

Let us know what you find out.

[robertmee]

Next time it happens take a jumper cable from the batter to starter old school. That'll tell you quickly if it's the starter.

[paparauder]

Yes, look at the battery cables. If you have a voltmeter you can do a voltage drop test where you move segment by segment from the battery to the starter. But likely cable since resistance increases with heat.