Hard start when hot
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,768
Likes: 58
From: East Tawas, MI
I have an 84 f-250 Plow truck w/429 interceptor carbed engine and auto trans that has a no start condition only when it's hot. I replaced the starter, solenoid, all +/- wires, and still it won't spin up when it's hot. (even after I manually cross up solenoid)It will act like the battery is dead until I let it sit for 10 minutes. I still have the problem and it's annoying when it dies when busting drifts in upper Michigan. Anyone with advise is welcome to try and solve this one.
Denny
Denny
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Southern Indiana
Simple - bigger battery.
Seems that auto parts stores sell smaller batteries just to make a sale. Instead of the 1000CA/850CCA battery that comes stock, most, if not all, stores will give you an 800CA/650CCA battery when you ask to purchase a new one.
I noticed that one of our newer vans, with a still-stock battery, had the larger size. I replaced mine - tho only a couple of months old - with the bigger battery, and since then I have not had one instance of failure to start when hot. This is after a couple of frustrating years of trying to figure out why a perfectly good battery, coupled with new cables, connectors, solenoid, and various and sundry other replacement parts, still wouldn't start a hot engine.
THE BATTERY WAS TOO SMALL.
Got that? I put in a bigger (more cranking amps) battery and the problem disappeared. 100% gone.
Seems that auto parts stores sell smaller batteries just to make a sale. Instead of the 1000CA/850CCA battery that comes stock, most, if not all, stores will give you an 800CA/650CCA battery when you ask to purchase a new one.
I noticed that one of our newer vans, with a still-stock battery, had the larger size. I replaced mine - tho only a couple of months old - with the bigger battery, and since then I have not had one instance of failure to start when hot. This is after a couple of frustrating years of trying to figure out why a perfectly good battery, coupled with new cables, connectors, solenoid, and various and sundry other replacement parts, still wouldn't start a hot engine.
THE BATTERY WAS TOO SMALL.
Got that? I put in a bigger (more cranking amps) battery and the problem disappeared. 100% gone.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Southern Indiana
Originally Posted by TigerDan
So what part did you replace that solved the problem? Your last post mentions that you were planning to replace the TPS...again.
I still have a new TPS on the workbench. I think the one I have in the truck now (only three months old) is not working properly. I have a slightly imperfect idle, so I will most likely replace the TPS some day soon. (Been working a lot of overtime, and the truck runs...)
At any rate - I replaced the battery with a slightly more powerful one a few weeks ago and since then have not had a failure to start.
Note: I drive my truck a lot, going from jobsite to jobsite, sometimes only stopping for five minutes. I have to start and stop several times a day, so this was a real problem for me. WAS a problem. Not any more, thanks to the bigger battery.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,500
Likes: 2
hard starting Ford
my 351M and 400m's have always been hard on hot start. The only thing that worked for me was a reduced gear high torque starter and a very large starter wire (4/0 copper). OInce I did those two things, good bye hard start problems. I think the engine is getting loaded up with fuel when hot but once it starts, it blows it right out and runs great. Probaly, it's a FORD THING!!!
Hotshot
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 12,170
Likes: 5
From: The hills of No. Calif.
DieselDenny, welcome to FTE! Please take a moment to check out the guidelines, they contain important info you'll need when posting here:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/guidelines.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/guidelines.html
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,768
Likes: 58
From: East Tawas, MI
Fixed hot start problem
I took your advise and went with a high dollar starter and replaced all connections with a good grade #4 wire with crimped and sealed ends. Thing spins right up now even when hot. (My old starter tested fine but I opted to replace it anyway as it was the last component I had to eliminate. Thanx again for all the help. Life's pretty good now without staying awake trying to solve this one.
Denny
Denny
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,500
Likes: 2
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Southern Indiana
Update: The bigger (correct size) battery worked well for many months, but as its general condition deteriorated I noticed a tendency toward hard starting.
I re-wired the ground, and things got much better, and have stayed that way.
I ran a ground wire from the battery to one of the starter mounting bolts, and ran a ground wire from the battery to an alternator mounting bolt. No problems in well over a year.
And then I bought a new 2007 F-150. The '89 is parked in the back yard.
I re-wired the ground, and things got much better, and have stayed that way.
I ran a ground wire from the battery to one of the starter mounting bolts, and ran a ground wire from the battery to an alternator mounting bolt. No problems in well over a year.
And then I bought a new 2007 F-150. The '89 is parked in the back yard.
Senior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: Spokane
Net, that's one of those 'DUH' things you just don't think of. Next time I have a hard-start I'll check that!
Chuck: You'll go back to that 89 every now and then. The new ones just aren't as tough as they used to be!
Chuck: You'll go back to that 89 every now and then. The new ones just aren't as tough as they used to be!
Last edited by lowridaz22; Dec 10, 2007 at 06:44 AM.
