Bad Starter?

[mharrison]

I've checked out the starting issue threads. I didn't see any similar to mine.

My car seems to drag a bit while starting it most of the time. Occasionally it turns over really slow wha-wha then stops. Just like a bad battery. I get a jump, drive home it starts ok, but the initial two revolutions sound slow (all the time). It seems worse when it is hot.

My battery has never tested bad while this is going on. The charging system checks out fine while running at an idle. The battery tests fine with a load tester.

I'm guessing my starter is bad. What do you guys think?

 

[nickandersonLS01]

I think you should see how much power the start is actually getting, then you can rule out electrical problems. After that, your best bet would probably be a starter.

 

[nearlyhalfamile]

If when you get a jump and it works fine, I would probably go with this being a battery issue. I also wouldn't rule out the battery cables getting a little corroded or a grounding problem.

The starter could be the problem as well, I'm just thinking out loud.

 

[nickandersonLS01]

testing how much power the starter is getting could rule out the bad ground/corroding within seconds

 

[HyeLifeLS]

Try getting a new battery, if it doesn't work you can return it (costco).

 

[97stscaddy]

Clean the battery cables first. Get one of those wire-brush post cleaner tools and clean all the corrosion off then tighten them up real good and try again.

 

[mharrison]

No corrosion. Good and tight.

I'll put a meter on the starter tomorrow and see what the voltage at the starter looks like.

 

[vicls]

Hmm try a new battery. If alternator and charging system work fine then it might be your starter.

 

[gcwimmer]

You said the cables on the battery are good, check the other end of the negative cable where it attaches to the body. That end of the cable has given others problems.

 

[mharrison]

Well all the cables are good. Voltage at the starter was good. Voltage Drop test shows a bad starter. Ground Test was good.

I'd guess that at 150k the bushings are bad causing too much drag internally. New starter is on the way!

 

[mharrison]

Well, the new starter is in and everything seems to be good. Changing the starter was a bit of a PITA due to work space, but all things considered it was still one of the easier things I've had to do to this car!