Starter question

[jaywalla]

I am having issues where my starter will not turn the flywheel all the time. If everything have been left alone for a while it will crank it around just fine. But if the motor does not start right away it will stop turning the flywheel around like it is not getting enough power. If i let it sit for a while it will work great again for a few cranks then it slows down again. I thought this might be a problem with the motor but am not sure. I am not sure what the Solenoid does or what to look for if it is going bad.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Starter question

First thing i would do is check the batteries condition,clean all wire terminals and connections.If its not a bad battery or connection then possibly the starter is on its last leg..

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Starter question

I agree with Gary and feel you issue is battery related or battery/starter wiring. Most of these problems are wiring related due to corrosion or dirty/faulty connections. Make them shine. Wires are hard to diagnose since they rot usually from the inside out. Check the battery voltage at approximately 3500-RPM, MAXIMUM reading allowable is 16 volts. Over 16 volts will damage the ignition. Check the cranking RPM. A cranking speed of less than 250-RPM will not allow the system to spark properly.

Testing the Positive Battery Cable to the Engine
1. Select the DC Volts position on the meter.
2. Connect the Red (Positive) lead on the meter to the positive battery POST.
3. Connect the Black (Negative) lead on the meter to the starter solenoid terminal where the positive battery cable is connected.
4. Using a remote start switch, activate the starter solenoid to spin the engine and observe the reading on the meter. A reading above 0.6V indicates a bad cable or bad connection.
(a) If the meter reads above 0.6V, move the Black lead on the meter to the positive battery cable terminal on the starter solenoid and retest. If the reading drops to below 0.6V, the cable connection is bad.
(b) If the meter still reads above 0.6V, move the Black lead on the meter to the positive battery cable terminal on the battery and retest. If the reading drops to below 0.6V, the cable is bad or undersized.
Service Note: A bad power connection to the ignition or battery charging system can be found by connecting the Black lead on the meter to the power connection of the ignition system or charging system; then working your way back to the battery positive post. At no time should you see a reading above 1V.

Testing the Negative Battery Cable to the Engine
1. Select the DC Volts position on the meter.
2. Connect the Black (Negative) lead on the meter to the negative battery POST.
3. Connect the Red (Positive) lead on the meter to the engine block where the negative battery cable is connected.
4. Using a remote start switch, activate the starter solenoid to spin the engine and observe the reading on the meter. A reading above 0.6V is an indicator of a bad cable or bad connection.
(a) If the meter reads above 0.6V, move the Red lead on the meter to the negative battery cable terminal on the engine block and retest. If the reading drops to below 0.6V, the cable connection is bad.
(b) If the meter still reads above 0.6V, move the Red lead on the meter to the negative battery cable terminal on the battery and retest. If the reading drops to below 0.6V, the cable is bad or undersized.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Starter question

seems like i've posted this 500 times. 90% of starter problems are bad connections. remove and clean both ends of the battery cables, so that they are shiney, also the cable from the solenoid to starter. check for nicks in the cables. and make sure the connectors are on the wire good. the cable tend to corrode from the inside out, if nicked, corroded wires, and connections, heat up and cause resistance to the follow of electricity, thus the starter doesn't get enough. you can also take jumper cable pos battery post to large post on starter. with a good connection, the engine should spin. then if the starter is good clean everything and retest. then trouble shoot solenoid. starters can be rebuit at a starter/alternator shop, much cheaper than a new one