Re: Hard starting when engine is cold

Posted by Bob Carabbio on July 23, 1997 at 22:14:06

In Reply to: Hard starting when engine is cold
posted by Dave Usavage on July 23, 1997 at 21:20:12

I'm assuming from your description that the problem is related to the starter not kicking the engine over briskly enough for it to catch.I'm also assuming you have cleaned the battery connections and made sure the battery connection to the frame is tight and clean, and that the battery is O.K.

There is no direct connection between the ground point on the frame, and the engine except what is provided up the drive shaft, through the front motor mount, and through the exhaust system. These paths can degenerate seriously if there's rust or oxydation in the joints.

A test you could make would be at night, turn the lights on, and hit the starter.If the starter barely turns the engine, but the lights stay bright, then either the starter (brushes) or the ground path to the engine is suspect.As a test, hook a Jumper cable between the Positive terminal (Ground) of the battery and the engine.Try cranking again and see if it makes a difference.Make sure you have good contact at both ends. If there's no difference, pull the starter and check the condition of the brushes.

If the lights dim greatly and the starter crawls, then a shorted starter, or a starter with bad or seized bearings is possible.
Remove the starter. The starter shaft should spin easily. and show minimal play in the bearings.When bearings get really bad, the armature can hit the field poles, and give you the symptoms you see.

A Good idea in general is to hook a ground strap (available at auto stores) between the ground point on the frame, and the engine assembly.It can make a world of difference, and you really don't want 300 amps flowing through your drive shaft bearings.

Let us know what you find.

Bob Carabbio


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