Car is VERY hard to crank sometimes.

The Green GT

No 13 year olds are safe around me.

10 Year Member

Jan 8, 2006

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Louisiana

May 24, 2006

#1

• May 24, 2006

• #1

I think I know why. My voltometer runs VERY low when at idle (like on the N). I know my underdrives are contributing to this, and Ive been told that my alt MAY be bad but i dont think it is. But sometimes after driving for a long time with the A/C on, I get home, cut off my car, and go inside. The next morning I go out to go to work and my car turn over a good 10 times before it starts. It also did this at work the other day. Im thinking the alt isnt charging the batt enough to start the car when i turn it off with the A/C running.

 

F

fordtech28

Member

May 12, 2006

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Riverside Cali.

May 24, 2006

#2

• May 24, 2006

• #2

check your grounds on your motor that can contribute to dozens of problems and the ones your describing you can add more ground straps from the motor to the frame it really makes a difference

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

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May 24, 2006

#3

• May 24, 2006

• #3

I might:

Pull codes.

Install a voltmeter in the car to see what gives. If you dont want a permanent gauge, you can hook up your DVM for a couple days and let it sit on the console.

If you think the prolonged cranking is a fuel issue, you can cycle the key a few times (letting the pump prime till it stops each time) before ever trying to actually start the car for the first time. THis lets pressure build. A FP gauge is a little more telling, but not everyone has one.

Good luck.

 

Don 95Vert

Founding Member

Oct 1, 1999

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39

Delaware, OH

May 24, 2006

#4

• May 24, 2006

• #4

The starter gets it's ground from the bellhousing and sometimes if the bell has been painted, or if there is a crud build-up, it causes that. What I'd do a) pull the starter and clean the bellhousing and starter face and connection and starter wire, or b) just run a thick wire fro the starter case to a good clean ground. Could also be oxidation on the battery posts - may look OK but a thin coating of oxide on the connectros will cause that - the starter draws a lot of amps - I'd clean the battery terminals and cables.

Don

 

95strokerPSU

Member

Jul 29, 2004

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Sacramento from Philly

May 24, 2006

#5

• May 24, 2006

• #5

Definitely get a multi meter and check what alt output is. And then after you take it for long drive with a/c, etc. put the multi meter on the battery and see where it's at.

 

94-302-vert

Active Member

Aug 16, 2004

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36

NE CT

May 25, 2006

#6

• May 25, 2006

• #6

It is probably the battery. Mine did the same thing last year and I thought I was heat soaking the starter or something. New battery and no problems anymore...

 

S

Synned

took tubgirl on a date and got banned

Mar 31, 2005

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Philly

May 25, 2006

#7

• May 25, 2006

• #7

I have the exact same problem, and my charging is the exact way with my underdrives too.
The battery gauge usually reads a 1/4 of the way during idleing, and I never thought this contributed to the hard cold starts but I guess its very possible. It's only on a cold start though, if I have everything running and kill the car I can start it easily though, its only in the morning it is a bitch to start.

 

The Green GT

No 13 year olds are safe around me.

10 Year Member

Jan 8, 2006

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Louisiana

May 25, 2006

#8

• May 25, 2006

• #8

Synned said:

I have the exact same problem, and my charging is the exact way with my underdrives too.
The battery gauge usually reads a 1/4 of the way during idleing, and I never thought this contributed to the hard cold starts but I guess its very possible. It's only on a cold start though, if I have everything running and kill the car I can start it easily though, its only in the morning it is a bitch to start.

Click to expand...

Same here, but its so hot down here I dont think I ever have a cold start. lol

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

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May 25, 2006

#9

• May 25, 2006

• #9

Joe and TGGT, that isnt normal. I wonder if your IAC's arent working. The cold start up enrichment is for the motor and not really having to do with the ambient temps. In 90* temperatures, you should have almost as much enrichment as you do in 40* temps (cold start-up).

The idle should be at ~1200-1500 RPM when first started (cold motor). WIthin 10-30 seconds, it should settle down to 900 RPM ish, and within a couple minutes, down to 700 RPM ish. If the base idle has been raised (for mods, etc), said values can shift up or change a little bit.

Good luck.