Engine will not crank when hot?

Tiny
SIXTY6GTO
  • MEMBER
  • 1989 PONTIAC TRANS AM
  • 5.7L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 34,000 MILES
The car listed above is a GTA model. The car will crank over and start when it is the first start of the day or after letting car cool off for 3-4 hours after running the car to operating temperature. When the car is hot and trying to crank, I cannot even hear a solenoid clicking on the starter or anything. I do hear noise possibly from a relay under the dash. I do not suspect the VATS to be the problem since the security light does not stay on and I have checked my resistance on my keys, tried another key, and my problem only occurs when the engine is hot. I would like the diagram of the starting circuit for the car since there might be a starter enable relay under the dash and a wire from the neutral safety switch under the car that gets hot. I do not want to jump to conclusions and think it is the starter. I want to methodically diagnose this using the starting circuit diagram please. Thanks.
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Monday, July 10th, 2023 AT 12:03 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 41,161 POSTS
Sure, here is a guide to help you with the testing and the starter wiring diagrams so you can see how the system works:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

and this guide can help as well:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Monday, July 10th, 2023 AT 12:36 PM
Tiny
SIXTY6GTO
  • MEMBER
  • 44 POSTS
Has there been a history of the PPL 6 wire going to the starter failing when it's hot? How can a wire provide power when cold but not when hot? I believe this may be the problem since I have seen a few people on YouTube possibly with the same issue.
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Tuesday, August 8th, 2023 AT 8:47 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 41,161 POSTS
Does the trigger wire have power when in the crank position when hot? If so, then the starter motor is bad.
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Thursday, August 10th, 2023 AT 9:32 AM

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