Starting issues...

[American_Muscle]

I've been having problems with starting my car.

It's always started on me except for once.
But it starts VERY weak.
It cranks over very slowly and takes about 3-4 secs before she finally starts.
The once time when it didn't start was after a 2 hour drive.
She cranked over even slower and didn't budge.

I'm thinking maybe the battery or alt since my voltage sometimes drops to 11.8V when at idle.
But that wouldn't explain the time when she didn't start at all after the long drive.
Could it be the starter?

Thanks
Patrick

 

[TheUser]

Do you have underdrive pulleys...more specifcally, an underdrive pulley on the alternator?

If not, I would inspect the battery its self; see if you can swap batteries with someone else for a quick drive or even a whole day and see if the same issues occur w/ the different battery. You could also have your battery tested at Autozone. Also inspect your battery cables. You could replace them for less than $15.

I suppose there's always the possibility that your alternator isn't working well enough, so on the two hour drive, all of the neglect added up and caused your car to not start.

I would also visually inspect the wiring from the alternator to the starter solonoid on the drivers fenderwell. There should be a Black/Pink wire that runs from the alternator to a green fusible link; the green 14ga fusible link goes to the starter solonoid. Mine was bad like nearly in two pieces and I ended up not having my alt charge and I didn't make it home. You could also unhook the wires from the starter solonoid and the alt and ohm out the wiring and see how much resistance there is. Much over .04 or something and it might need to be replaced.

 

[HISSIN50]

Agreed. It sounds like you have a borderline power cable. Remember that resistance goes up as heat increases. Perhaps that extra heat was enough to cause issues after your 2 hour drive. Go over all battery and ground connections. You can also check the starter cable for cleanliness and voltage drop.

If your timing is off, it can cause funky cranking too.

Good luck.