Battery size/start problem
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,295
Likes: 14
From: Grand Sport #82
Battery size/start problem
Hi
Im getting so tired of the facts that I cant turn off my car, and hope for it to start again when I whant I to. Somtimes it helps to let the car wait for 20min and try again. Is this because my starter gets to hot from the exhaust? will exhaust wrap help?
What is the recomended batteri power size? maybe mine is to small?
Hope that some one can help me here. Its really :o
when i cant start at the gas station or else where
Im getting so tired of the facts that I cant turn off my car, and hope for it to start again when I whant I to. Somtimes it helps to let the car wait for 20min and try again. Is this because my starter gets to hot from the exhaust? will exhaust wrap help?
What is the recomended batteri power size? maybe mine is to small?
Hope that some one can help me here. Its really :o
when i cant start at the gas station or else where
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: CA
Does the engine turn over and not start? ...or does it not even turn over (just makes a solenoid "clicking" noise)? Does it start OK cold? Depending on the symptom, could mean different things. Not sure about the hot starter theory. Usually it is either an old or dying battery, or the charging system.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,295
Likes: 14
From: Grand Sport #82
Originally Posted by LangstC4
Does the engine turn over and not start? ...or does it not even turn over (just makes a solenoid "clicking" noise)? Does it start OK cold? Depending on the symptom, could mean different things. Not sure about the hot starter theory. Usually it is either an old or dying battery, or the charging system.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 1,784
Likes: 80
From: Detroit
Originally Posted by Lars87
The engine stats very well when cold! but sometimes when during a Hot start, the Starter just cant turn the engine over, and it drains the battery when trying....
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 22,305
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From: Sussex,Wi
2023 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Sounds like your starter is going.
What's the voltmeter reading at idle and while driving?
If over 13.5V while cruising, it's not the battery or alternator.
If under 12V at idle, it would be a charging problem.
What's the voltmeter reading at idle and while driving?
If over 13.5V while cruising, it's not the battery or alternator.
If under 12V at idle, it would be a charging problem.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,295
Likes: 14
From: Grand Sport #82
Originally Posted by touringmike
Sounds like your starter is going.
What's the voltmeter reading at idle and while driving?
If over 13.5V while cruising, it's not the battery or alternator.
If under 12V at idle, it would be a charging problem.
What's the voltmeter reading at idle and while driving?
If over 13.5V while cruising, it's not the battery or alternator.
If under 12V at idle, it would be a charging problem.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 22,305
Likes: 216
From: Sussex,Wi
2023 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C3 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
Originally Posted by Lars87
it reads 13.9 - 14.2 while driving
Battery CCAs?. You should have a minmum of 400CCA. (The rule of thumb used to be Cubic Inch displacement = cold crank amps/or better.
Nowadays, the cheapest batteries start at 550CCA, so I think you can probably eliminate the battery if you have at least 550CCA, specifically because the engine will crank after it cools down. At some point in time, your battery will/wouldn't recover if it was weak.
This puts the focus on the starter.
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
You should check the battery cable ends at the battery to insure they are tight and clean. A bad connection or corrosion will reduce the amount of current flowing to the starter and makes it seem like a dying battery.
Also, the bolt that attaches the cable to the battery terminal can easily strip the aluminum threads in the terminal. The service manual calls for only 11 ft-lbs to tighten properly. If the bolt has stripped the threads, the cable can't make a good connection.
Your voltages sound right once the car is running. Have a load test performed on the battery to check its overall condition. There is also a possibility that the battery had a bad cell or some sort of internal short.
The proper battery size is a Delco 75B-72 or equal. CCA should be a minimum of 525. If you live in an area where the winter temps get consistently below freezing, find a good Group 75 battery that has over 800CCA. Most premium batteries should have CCA's like this.
Also, the bolt that attaches the cable to the battery terminal can easily strip the aluminum threads in the terminal. The service manual calls for only 11 ft-lbs to tighten properly. If the bolt has stripped the threads, the cable can't make a good connection.
Your voltages sound right once the car is running. Have a load test performed on the battery to check its overall condition. There is also a possibility that the battery had a bad cell or some sort of internal short.
The proper battery size is a Delco 75B-72 or equal. CCA should be a minimum of 525. If you live in an area where the winter temps get consistently below freezing, find a good Group 75 battery that has over 800CCA. Most premium batteries should have CCA's like this.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,295
Likes: 14
From: Grand Sport #82
Thanks. I will be checking the battery.
Is there some way that I can check the starter?
The idee that the starter gets to hot from the exhaust, has anybody else heard os this???
Is there some way that I can check the starter?
The idee that the starter gets to hot from the exhaust, has anybody else heard os this???
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,715
Likes: 2
From: Santa Teresa New Mexico
Originally Posted by Lars87
Thanks. I will be checking the battery.
Is there some way that I can check the starter?
The idee that the starter gets to hot from the exhaust, has anybody else heard os this???
Is there some way that I can check the starter?
The idee that the starter gets to hot from the exhaust, has anybody else heard os this???
Hot no start without shorting the starter with a jumper wire.
Cold it was fine or after a cool down it would fire right up.
Theres a hipo starter you can that can hold up to the heat from the headers.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,130
Likes: 2
From: seattle WA
Your starter sounds like my old one-probably packed with grease, oil, and just plain dirty, I simply replaced mine-end of problem. I really like the Sears Diehards, can't remember the rating-but they never seem to fail me while under the warranty.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: CA
Might be somthing to the starter thing. Check this thread:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=906120
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=906120
