Help with a hard starting '85 please!
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Akron Ohio
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St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
Help with a hard starting '85 please!
I drove a co-workers '85 today and it runs and drives fine, but at startup it sounds like it has trouble turning over, kinda like something is stuck, and then after a second or two it spins free and fires up. I didnt get a chance to look under the hood but it kinda feels like the timing is way advanced causing a hard start. She said it flashed it check engine light a few weeks ago but it went away. It happened right after she started it and she said it would sputter if she put a load on it (dirve up a hill) but the car was fine after it warmed up a bit. Any ideas? I dont know how similar it is to my '90 but what should I look for if I look at it again?
Racer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
From: Central New York NY
Sounds like 2 problems to me. First thing is to get it so the starter turns it over like it's supposed to. First thing to check is the battery cables. Clean the cable ends and the battery terminals then see if it cranks over properly. If not have the battery checked.
Moon
Moon
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,057
Likes: 5
From: Bay Shore, NY
Sounds like 2 problems to me. First thing is to get it so the starter turns it over like it's supposed to. First thing to check is the battery cables. Clean the cable ends and the battery terminals then see if it cranks over properly. If not have the battery checked.
Moon
Moon
start simple...did you pull the codes to see what was flashed?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,700
Likes: 3,469
From: Akron Ohio
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C5 of the Year Winner - Modified
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
Sounds like 2 problems to me. First thing is to get it so the starter turns it over like it's supposed to. First thing to check is the battery cables. Clean the cable ends and the battery terminals then see if it cranks over properly. If not have the battery checked.
Moon
Moon
I did not pull the codes, I didnt have the time/resources in the parking lot at work. I told her how though.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
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From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Measure the battery terminal voltage during cranking, it should not fall below 9.0 volts or the battery connections need cleaning, battery is discharged, or the battery is at the end of its life. You can tell the state of charge by measuring the battery no load terminal voltage, 12.0 volts and below, discharged, charge the battery up overnight. 12.9 volts and above, fully charged and linear in between. I would also recommend using a timing light while someone cranks to see if the timing is set correctly. When cleaning battery connections always remove the neg post first and when reconnecting, connect the neg post last.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Overland Park Kansas
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,700
Likes: 3,469
From: Akron Ohio
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C5 of the Year Winner - Modified
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
Measure the battery terminal voltage during cranking, it should not fall below 9.0 volts or the battery connections need cleaning, battery is discharged, or the battery is at the end of its life. You can tell the state of charge by measuring the battery no load terminal voltage, 12.0 volts and below, discharged, charge the battery up overnight. 12.9 volts and above, fully charged and linear in between. I would also recommend using a timing light while someone cranks to see if the timing is set correctly. When cleaning battery connections always remove the neg post first and when reconnecting, connect the neg post last.
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