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What would cause slow engine cranking?

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Old 04-27-06, 10:47 PM
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What would cause slow engine cranking?

Ok, I have this S4 N/A FC here that cranks over just slow enough that it wont start and then it floods.

I've changed the starter 3 times with spares that I have sitting around and I've cleaned all the connections to the starter and on the battery itself. The battery is around 13v and has lots of power.

What else would cause it to crank over slow? I'm kinda stumped....doesn't really help that its late either.

Joe
Old 04-27-06, 11:22 PM
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What does the battery voltage drop to when you crank and how is it?
Old 04-27-06, 11:31 PM
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Clean the Area around the Starter,and "scuff up " the Bolt holes,to get a good contact to Ground,(maybe Clean the thread For the bolts by Retapping them)also Try changing The Positive cable..it sounds like it just ain't gettin Good voltage Joe..Other than that..Another starter?..Just thought too..check the bolts on the Tranny maybe they are loose and not giving you good conductivity..(all I can think of Joe ..)
Old 04-27-06, 11:56 PM
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Yep - sounds like an electrical problem. Not enough voltage. Either its your battery or the connections.
Old 04-28-06, 12:06 AM
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Yeah I guess I'll have to trace all the wiring back to the starter, the car never ever did crank over all that fast since the guy got the car.
Old 04-28-06, 08:58 AM
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well I'm having the same issue on an intermittant level and basically what made it better was cleaning the main stock ground as well as adding another body ground from the battery using a nice big 4 guage cable. Next I'm going to try to change my ignition switch.
Old 04-28-06, 09:04 AM
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Mine does the same thing. Voltage drops to about 7.v when I am cranking it.
Old 04-28-06, 05:43 PM
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Yeah, actually I just tried it again and the stock amps gauge drops to about 7 volts as well.....hmmmm
Old 04-28-06, 05:56 PM
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.Well, I have done a battery relocation, and added a ton of electronics. Have you tested the voltage at the battery? Hailer, I think mentioned, or maybe it was Icemark. Test the battery terminals for a drop. Then test the battery clamps. If the battery drains, could be the battery. If only drains at the connectors, something else.
Old 04-28-06, 08:10 PM
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How many cranking amps is the battery, and how cold is it when your trying to crank it?

I would just add a nice fat engine ground directly from the battery.
Change the cable connectors for the battery.
Clean the Battery terminal post.

If is still doing it, I would verifie that the starter inductance is up to spec.

Hope that helps.
Old 04-28-06, 08:16 PM
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mines does the same thing when its really cold out, but when warmed up it will start fine all day. Its just that sittng around at night when cold that does it.

Last edited by jgrts20; 04-28-06 at 08:45 PM.
Old 04-28-06, 08:42 PM
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dang mine never drops that low while cranking i see 10 at least
Old 04-29-06, 01:45 AM
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take your battery to a parts store and have them actually test how much power is in it. 13 volts won't turn an engine over 400+ cranking amps will.
Old 04-29-06, 06:43 PM
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LOL...yeah I got it figured out, whoever put the clutch in the car last, never put that big ground wire back onto the bellhousing.

Now it works awesome, starts up great and runs waaay better.

Thanks for the info guys!
Old 05-01-20, 09:03 PM
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Originally Posted by R.P.M.
LOL...yeah I got it figured out, whoever put the clutch in the car last, never put that big ground wire back onto the bellhousing.

Now it works awesome, starts up great and runs waaay better.

Thanks for the info guys!
that was it. Just had new clutch and ground was not reconnected to bell housing. Great troubleshooting.
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