Need Opinions on Starting Problem

Twizted_3KGT · #1 08-31-2005, 02:30 AM

My 88 Formula 350 won't start. For a few weeks it was cranking slowly but starting after holding the ignition on for a few seconds (it would slowly speed up the cranking the longer I held it on). So I let it sit for about a week, went to start it up and it cranked once and then nothing. Next obvious thought was the battery is dead, so I gave it a jump, and it cranked fast but wouldn't fire at all. I checked the voltage with the jump on there and it was around 13 volts, idk if that matters or if just the amperage matters when starting. I don't know if it's the starter because the way it would slowly speed up the cranking as I held the ignition, or if it's just a bad battery. Can anyone pinpoint it?

blindeyed · #2 09-01-2005, 03:45 AM

My guess would be the starter, especially if it was previously cranking slowly. Mine does that sometimes, but eventually starts. *knocks on wood*

tri-power · #3 09-01-2005, 05:03 PM

I'd check the battery and alternator first to see that the voltage is holding steady since it cranked fine with a jump. Remember to charge the battery before you test it. There is a possibility of the starter being bad, but normally those starters do not ehgage when they go bad, but there is always the exception. My guess for starters is a weak battery or a drain in the alternator.Once you rule them out, then you can look elsewhere. Remember if the computer doesn't have enough voltage to operate, the car won't run.

Twizted_3KGT · #4 09-03-2005, 11:29 AM

Hmm...well shouldn't it have started up when it was cranking at the right speed? That's the only confusion in my mind, I can understand it not running w/o enough voltage but it should've run as long as I had the cables on there, right?

FormulaLT1 · #5 09-03-2005, 08:06 PM

Is there any clicking when your attempting to start the car?

Twizted_3KGT · #6 09-03-2005, 09:27 PM

Clicking as in starter solenoid clicking, or some other type of clicking?

Either way, no I don't hear any clicking, just the whirring of the motor turning over.

FormulaLT1 · #7 09-03-2005, 09:34 PM

Did you check the condition and location of the starter gear?. They sometimes become jammed on a chipped/damaged flywheel tooth. Or just become lodged. I would also try a lite tapping on the starter with a hammer.Alot of times if it is a jamming condition that can free up a gear. Good luck to ya.

PS- yes that was in relation to the solenoid.

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