Rough Starter? Maybe?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Niagara Falls New York
Rough Starter? Maybe?
Hey all My 78 vette is experiencing some bizarre behavior. Wheather cold or hot it seems like the starter struggles to turn the motor over. I first thought the battery was going bad, but, it is a new battery. Threw the battery tender on it and it had a full charge. Still same problem. Took the battery back to the store to have it tested. Tested perfect!! ok so now I am stuck. Could it be the starter? I have the OBX headers and sidepipes but the headder is a good 3 to 4 inches from the starter. It never had this problem but actually started when I installed the stereo system in the car. Just a 12' sub in a custom box i built and a 1000 watt 5 channel amp but only draws 100amps when you pound on it. Could this be a ground problem?
Thanks Guys
Ill post some pics of the stereo for all to see too. It turned out great!!
Thanks Guys
Ill post some pics of the stereo for all to see too. It turned out great!!
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
Its probably the ground from the battery attached to the frame or rear with a short little cable {12-15 inches}.... Often neglected as its almost hidden and over the years becomes corroded....allowing the engine to seek a ground to crank. several sources can be used such as brake lines and transmission cables and lines....its much easier to check this source rather than removing perfectly good batteries and starters and then going to war with a parts counterman claiming they sold you defective heat soak parts.......
{heat soak?} ...no such animal.......
{heat soak?} ...no such animal.......
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Niagara Falls New York
Ok i cleaned off all the grounds from the battery to the frame, the engine ground that is next to the starter and the starter ground as well. seems to be a bit better actually but not perfect. Once the starter gets turning it seems fine but it takes a second to start to spin but definately better..... Is it possible it could be the selanoid? that would be an easy fix. I am planning on replacing the alternator cable, power cables, and grounds with 4 gauge high current wire anyway. 35 year old wires could use some replacing anyhow....
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 287
Likes: 0
Check your battery ground cable connection at the engine. Make sure it is connected to the block at or near the starter.This is a thick cable that runs from the frame to the engine. It can easily go bad with the engine shaking.
Also check the connection within the battery clamps.
Mine went bad there, and looked perfectly good from the outside. Easy fix though.
Also check the connection within the battery clamps.
Mine went bad there, and looked perfectly good from the outside. Easy fix though.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,520
Likes: 11
From: Hinckley OH
After you have cleaned/replaced all the cables if it still cranks a bit slow, it may be the starter. Every time I have replaced a starter, I have noticed that the new one cranks faster than the old one did before it failed.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Niagara Falls New York
Ok all the lines are cleaned up.... same problem. Im thinking starter due to overheating from the headders. Does this sound plausable?
The car is timed dead on and cant see how that would effect how it turns over ( or doesnt turn over for that matter) but if it can be ill check it too....
The car is timed dead on and cant see how that would effect how it turns over ( or doesnt turn over for that matter) but if it can be ill check it too....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: mount holly NC
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Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 287
Likes: 0
My long hot cable got "nicked" inside the transmission tunnel once, causing a similar problem.
It was not easy to see.
If you have a starter / alternator guy in town, he should be able to give you a good starter test. Some of the parts suppliers also do it, but there's no telling what advice you'll get.
Good luck
It was not easy to see.
If you have a starter / alternator guy in town, he should be able to give you a good starter test. Some of the parts suppliers also do it, but there's no telling what advice you'll get.
Good luck
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,520
Likes: 11
From: Hinckley OH
Since you first noticed the problem when you installed the stereo it may be related. Can you disconnect the power to the stereo easily? Disconnect it as close to where you tapped into the power as possible.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Niagara Falls New York
Low and behold it was the starter. She was good and heat soaked and was drawing a ton of amperage. My buddy had high torque starter from his bb that would fit and she starts alot better with the faster crank. It was a great exercise finding all of the ground points in the car and cleaning up all the wiring.
Thanks all for the input.....
Thanks all for the input.....
