Quote:
Originally Posted by KevinC
Good morning Ian. Thanks for looking at this.
When it doesn't start the starter does not turn over. The antenna comes up, the dash lights up. That's all. There are no clicks, no engine sounds.
K.
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When an electrical component fails intermittently due to heat as you describe, in most instances this relates to shorted turns within a winding, e.g. within a solenoid, relay or contactor, or electric motor. In each case there will be an excessive flow of current when the item fails to operate. This will in most cases will not be sufficient to blow protective fuses.
Your first approach should be to check for full battery voltage at the starter solenoid when the fault is present. If the voltage is low this will indicate that the solenoid is drawing current beyond the capacity of the supply wiring and shorted turns are a possibility, or that the supply circuit has developed a high resistance.
The latter could mean a connection affected by heat, or more likely provided your car has one, low pressure on contacts within the security relay. This involves a normally closed contact depending on spring pressure thus making it always suspect. Heat could very well be reducing contact pressure.
Intermittent electrical faults become real pain and there are no shortcuts. In your case I would run a temporary wire from the starter solenoid input connection to within the car so that you can immediately check the voltage as and when the bugger misbehaves. LOL The time involved will be very well spent. If you do not have volt meter you could simply connect a lamp and be aware of a change in brilliance. You could then go on to checking for voltage at the actual motor.
Taking account of the above, do you notice any change in the brilliance of the dash lights ?