Cleaning starter connections
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,138
Likes: 139
From: Port St Lucie Florida
Cleaning starter connections
What's the best way to do this? Battery Cleaner, sanding etc.
My alternator is Good, Battery is Good, Grounds are good. When engine is warmed up voltage drops from 14.2 to 12. I am thinking from previous starter connections being somewhat charred and corroted could this be the culprit?
Battery terminals clean reading 12.6 volts and alternator reading 12.6 volts. The exact same when engine off.
Also is there a certain way to install the wires back on.
Also can you reach the starter by removing front passenger wheel? Or does header have to be removed again.
My alternator is Good, Battery is Good, Grounds are good. When engine is warmed up voltage drops from 14.2 to 12. I am thinking from previous starter connections being somewhat charred and corroted could this be the culprit?
Battery terminals clean reading 12.6 volts and alternator reading 12.6 volts. The exact same when engine off.
Also is there a certain way to install the wires back on.
Also can you reach the starter by removing front passenger wheel? Or does header have to be removed again.
Last edited by corvet786c; Oct 29, 2015 at 07:59 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,275
Likes: 739
From: Miami FL
Sorry to see that you are still struggling with this.
Have you checked if you have a significant drop of voltage between the alternator and the battery? Using your multimeter measure the voltage between the alternator and the positive post of your battery with your engine running. Ideally it should be zero, but close enough is fine.
This test will let us know the "health" of the "alternator-starter-battery" links.
Have you checked if you have a significant drop of voltage between the alternator and the battery? Using your multimeter measure the voltage between the alternator and the positive post of your battery with your engine running. Ideally it should be zero, but close enough is fine.
This test will let us know the "health" of the "alternator-starter-battery" links.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,138
Likes: 139
From: Port St Lucie Florida
Sorry to see that you are still struggling with this.
Have you checked if you have a significant drop of voltage between the alternator and the battery? Using your multimeter measure the voltage between the alternator and the positive post of your battery with your engine running. Ideally it should be zero, but close enough is fine.
This test will let us know the "health" of the "alternator-starter-battery" links.
Have you checked if you have a significant drop of voltage between the alternator and the battery? Using your multimeter measure the voltage between the alternator and the positive post of your battery with your engine running. Ideally it should be zero, but close enough is fine.
This test will let us know the "health" of the "alternator-starter-battery" links.
I had mentioned before the both alt and battery terminals measure the exact same during cold start ups. That's why I am leaning to one off the starter connections but don't know which one.
I did not clean them from previous starter disaster.
Actually The DIC volts read 14.2-13.6 for a period of time then just drop. Any Advice for those experiencing this.
Last edited by corvet786c; Oct 29, 2015 at 09:24 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 4,496
Likes: 856
From: Walhalla South Carolina
I have read from only 2 guys that removed the starter without dropping the exhaust. They stated it is tight and U have to turn and twist the starter to get it out but possible. Most drop the exhaust from the header and X connection. Good luck
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,138
Likes: 139
From: Port St Lucie Florida
Thanks, I don't need to drop the starter, but unloose the connections. I tried to get a long extension with a swivel in there but the swivel just drops. Also I can't reach my big hands in between the header. I guess I has to be dropped again unless if I can access it through the front wheel. Does anyone know?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,275
Likes: 739
From: Miami FL
I measured it in the past at the alt was reading 14.1 and battery was 14.1, but when warmed up with coolant temps 205 goes down alt 14.2 battery 13.5 fluctuating...
...the starter connections but don't know which one. I did not clean them from previous starter disaster...
...the starter connections but don't know which one. I did not clean them from previous starter disaster...
1) engine running
2) multimeter set to DC voltage in a low scale (let's say 3v or 5v, depending on what your multimeter has available)
3) positive probe from multimeter to alternator post
4) negative probe from multimeter to positive battery post
This will give you the voltage "drop" between your alternator and your battery. As I mentioned before, ideally should be zero but close enough is fine.
On the other hand, if the measurements you mentioned above are accurate, the voltage drop can be calculated by subtracting those values.
So, when cold it is perfect: 14.1 - 14.1 = 0v, but when it gets warm your voltage drop is almost 1v: 14.2 - 13.5 = .7v
You are loosing almost 1v between the alternator and your battery. It seems you have a bad contact that's affected by temperature. I know you replaced your starter, but you didn't change the connecting cables or cleaned up the contacts. Most likely that's why you are having such a significant voltage drop.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 714
Likes: 104
From: Springfield Ohio
Clean the terminals with very fine sandpaper or emery cloth. The contacts should appear shinny when finished - not roughed up. You'll get the best connection that way.
2000 grit sandpaper is available at auto parts stores in the body/paint section. A little dielectric grease on each terminal is also a good idea to keep the connection from corroding.
2000 grit sandpaper is available at auto parts stores in the body/paint section. A little dielectric grease on each terminal is also a good idea to keep the connection from corroding.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,138
Likes: 139
From: Port St Lucie Florida
Clean the terminals with very fine sandpaper or emery cloth. The contacts should appear shinny when finished - not roughed up. You'll get the best connection that way.
2000 grit sandpaper is available at auto parts stores in the body/paint section. A little dielectric grease on each terminal is also a good idea to keep the connection from corroding.
2000 grit sandpaper is available at auto parts stores in the body/paint section. A little dielectric grease on each terminal is also a good idea to keep the connection from corroding.
Took a test drive 14.2-13.8 so far so good. Those wire in there are very brittle. I believe this was the cause of my problems.
Like I said on cold start ups the wire was reading from the alt then as car got hot, the wire just stop working all together going down to 12 volts.
Last edited by corvet786c; Oct 30, 2015 at 04:01 PM.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 4,496
Likes: 856
From: Walhalla South Carolina
Come to find out the 2nd wire connected to the alter wire was very brittle and broke off at the starter. So I had to splice the wire and connect another one. This was all due to the loose bolt in the original starter.
Took a test drive 14.2-13.8 so far so good. Those wire in there are very brittle. I believe this was the cause of my problems.
Like I said on cold start ups the wire was reading from the alt then as car got hot, the wire just stop working all together going down to 12 volts.
Took a test drive 14.2-13.8 so far so good. Those wire in there are very brittle. I believe this was the cause of my problems.
Like I said on cold start ups the wire was reading from the alt then as car got hot, the wire just stop working all together going down to 12 volts.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,138
Likes: 139
From: Port St Lucie Florida
Just wondering, How would I find where it is connected to. Do I have to cut open the whole harness on the pass side and find where its end is? Never done this before.
Last edited by corvet786c; Oct 30, 2015 at 05:23 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,138
Likes: 139
From: Port St Lucie Florida