Warm Start (Click)
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,601
Likes: 52
From: Jefferson City MO
Warm Start (Click)
Lately, when I go to start the car, I turn the key and it makes one click. I turn it again and it starts right up. When cold, this happens about 25% of the time. When warm, it does this about 75% of the time. I rebuilt the starter the other day, but the problem continues. The volts are steady 14 - 14.5 when running.
Yesterday, after taking a short drive, I turned the car off, then started it 2 times. Each time, it did not click. The first time, the starter strained a little and the 2nd time, it would barely crank the motor, but started.
Sooo, my question is, does this sound like a battery problem?
Yesterday, after taking a short drive, I turned the car off, then started it 2 times. Each time, it did not click. The first time, the starter strained a little and the 2nd time, it would barely crank the motor, but started.
Sooo, my question is, does this sound like a battery problem?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,601
Likes: 52
From: Jefferson City MO
I bought the car back in May. The previous owner stated a few years old. I looked at the battery and no indication of purchase date is present on the battery.
I do know that the previous owner stored the car in an enclosed trailer during the winter w/o battery tender. Could that have killed the battery over a few years time?
I do know that the previous owner stored the car in an enclosed trailer during the winter w/o battery tender. Could that have killed the battery over a few years time?
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: Seacoast New Hampsha
I'm having the same issue. Very interested in your results. The volts stay at 14.3 to 14.4 volts while running and I put a fresh battery in it for good measure. But occasionally I turn the key and I get a "click", I try again and it starts quickly. Sometimes it sounds as though the starter is having a hard time, then I try again and it works perfectly.
I was about to toss a starter in it. I'll wait for now though.
J
I was about to toss a starter in it. I'll wait for now though.
J
Last edited by Jestah; Oct 15, 2008 at 09:41 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,601
Likes: 52
From: Jefferson City MO
Jestah, in your case, I'd bet that the starter is bad. The sound you hear is the plunger not making good contact within the starter. Rebuilding the starter only cost about $30, so I'd try that.
What is confusing me is, I just finished rebuilding the starter.
Radioshop, I already checked that one. This one is puzzling me. It might be time to just pull the battery and have it tested.
What is confusing me is, I just finished rebuilding the starter.
Radioshop, I already checked that one. This one is puzzling me. It might be time to just pull the battery and have it tested.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: Seacoast New Hampsha
Jestah, in your case, I'd bet that the starter is bad. The sound you hear is the plunger not making good contact within the starter. Rebuilding the starter only cost about $30, so I'd try that.
What is confusing me is, I just finished rebuilding the starter.
Radioshop, I already checked that one. This one is puzzling me. It might be time to just pull the battery and have it tested.
What is confusing me is, I just finished rebuilding the starter.
Radioshop, I already checked that one. This one is puzzling me. It might be time to just pull the battery and have it tested.
J
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,376
Likes: 111
From: Cherokee National Forest TN
The battery is probably sulfated which means it has lost the capacity to hold a deep charge & is operting on a sruface charge only.
To test for sulfating: hook up a battery charger capable of a 30 amp charge & also a volt meter. Charge the battery & if the volt meter exceeds 16 volts in 10 minutes get another battery.
If the battery passes the above test load test it at 200 amps for 15 seconds. It should maintain 10.8 or more volts during the load test.
To test for sulfating: hook up a battery charger capable of a 30 amp charge & also a volt meter. Charge the battery & if the volt meter exceeds 16 volts in 10 minutes get another battery.
If the battery passes the above test load test it at 200 amps for 15 seconds. It should maintain 10.8 or more volts during the load test.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,601
Likes: 52
From: Jefferson City MO
The battery is probably sulfated which means it has lost the capacity to hold a deep charge & is operting on a sruface charge only.
To test for sulfating: hook up a battery charger capable of a 30 amp charge & also a volt meter. Charge the battery & if the volt meter exceeds 16 volts in 10 minutes get another battery.
If the battery passes the above test load test it at 200 amps for 15 seconds. It should maintain 10.8 or more volts during the load test.
To test for sulfating: hook up a battery charger capable of a 30 amp charge & also a volt meter. Charge the battery & if the volt meter exceeds 16 volts in 10 minutes get another battery.
If the battery passes the above test load test it at 200 amps for 15 seconds. It should maintain 10.8 or more volts during the load test.
I'll try that. I've traced everything down and all indicators are the battery. I'll test it using your method sometime next afternoon.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,601
Likes: 52
From: Jefferson City MO
Churchkey,
I had the battery tested at Autozone last evening and at 200 amp, it did fall below 10 volts, but the test came back as "Charge Battery and Test Again", so they assumed it was OK (I'm not totaly convinced from your response).
Is it time for a new battery? I put the battery back in and drove the car today. This morning, first thing I hear is "click". Next turn, vrooomm.
Some things to keep in mind, this car has an Meziere Electric HD water pump that is on as soon as the key is turned to the auxiliary position, so it is pulling power along with the fuel pumps, ASR checks, and starter.
I had the battery tested at Autozone last evening and at 200 amp, it did fall below 10 volts, but the test came back as "Charge Battery and Test Again", so they assumed it was OK (I'm not totaly convinced from your response).
Is it time for a new battery? I put the battery back in and drove the car today. This morning, first thing I hear is "click". Next turn, vrooomm.
Some things to keep in mind, this car has an Meziere Electric HD water pump that is on as soon as the key is turned to the auxiliary position, so it is pulling power along with the fuel pumps, ASR checks, and starter.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 9,933
Likes: 103
From: Peoria Arizona.. Resident Gold Cylon
Churchkey,
I had the battery tested at Autozone last evening and at 200 amp, it did fall below 10 volts, but the test came back as "Charge Battery and Test Again", so they assumed it was OK (I'm not totaly convinced from your response).
Is it time for a new battery? I put the battery back in and drove the car today. This morning, first thing I hear is "click". Next turn, vrooomm.
Some things to keep in mind, this car has an Meziere Electric HD water pump that is on as soon as the key is turned to the auxiliary position, so it is pulling power along with the fuel pumps, ASR checks, and starter.
I had the battery tested at Autozone last evening and at 200 amp, it did fall below 10 volts, but the test came back as "Charge Battery and Test Again", so they assumed it was OK (I'm not totaly convinced from your response).
Is it time for a new battery? I put the battery back in and drove the car today. This morning, first thing I hear is "click". Next turn, vrooomm.
Some things to keep in mind, this car has an Meziere Electric HD water pump that is on as soon as the key is turned to the auxiliary position, so it is pulling power along with the fuel pumps, ASR checks, and starter.
Time for new Battery? Probably so if they are putting a load on it and it falls below 10 your internal plates are sulfated which happen over time. I would replace it for piece of mind. I believe you are in the warning symptom phase which is better than most of us get lol.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,601
Likes: 52
From: Jefferson City MO
Time for new Battery? Probably so if they are putting a load on it and it falls below 10 your internal plates are sulfated which happen over time. I would replace it for piece of mind. I believe you are in the warning symptom phase which is better than most of us get lol.
That is correct!! It could have just made that "click, click, click" sound and left me stranded. I'll prabably go home at lunch and take it back out.The good news is that I'm getting pretty good at removing the battery!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,601
Likes: 52
From: Jefferson City MO
Well, after pulling the battery, testing it, re-installation, pulling again, and installing a new battery, the problem is fixed!!
Just a note to all, if you have a battery checked at AutoZone and the report states charge and test again, the battery is bad.
Just a note to all, if you have a battery checked at AutoZone and the report states charge and test again, the battery is bad.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,376
Likes: 111
From: Cherokee National Forest TN
Churchkey,
I had the battery tested at Autozone last evening and at 200 amp, it did fall below 10 volts, but the test came back as "Charge Battery and Test Again", so they assumed it was OK (I'm not totaly convinced from your response).
Is it time for a new battery? I put the battery back in and drove the car today. This morning, first thing I hear is "click". Next turn, vrooomm.
Some things to keep in mind, this car has an Meziere Electric HD water pump that is on as soon as the key is turned to the auxiliary position, so it is pulling power along with the fuel pumps, ASR checks, and starter.
I had the battery tested at Autozone last evening and at 200 amp, it did fall below 10 volts, but the test came back as "Charge Battery and Test Again", so they assumed it was OK (I'm not totaly convinced from your response).
Is it time for a new battery? I put the battery back in and drove the car today. This morning, first thing I hear is "click". Next turn, vrooomm.
Some things to keep in mind, this car has an Meziere Electric HD water pump that is on as soon as the key is turned to the auxiliary position, so it is pulling power along with the fuel pumps, ASR checks, and starter.
A sulfated battery is difficult to diagnose thats why I posted the procedure I use to test for sulfation first.
Glad you got it sorted.