battery or starter

[tempfixit]

94 Villager 201k

In colder temps (30* or lower) The engine will not crank when turning the ignition switch but if I hold the switch on start it will slowly begin to crank and then crank faster until engine starts. I have never experienced this before.

any ideas

[jdl]

I've seen vehicles where the timing was off, to the point that the starter was fighting the compression. Slow crank at first then speeds up. I haven't looked at your info to see if timing is adjustable? You can always use digital multimeter and check actual voltage reading at starter, if you think it is a voltage issue?

Do you use a block heater?

[tempfixit]

Originally Posted by jdl

I've seen vehicles where the timing was off, to the point that the starter was fighting the compression. Slow crank at first then speeds up. I haven't looked at your info to see if timing is adjustable? You can always use digital multimeter and check actual voltage reading at starter, if you think it is a voltage issue?

Do you use a block heater?

Thanks for responding jdl.


I know what you mean by starter fighting the compression, this is I believe different. IF the timing was off it starter would fight the compression each and every time I try to start it right. This is a random thing, more so when cold or been sitting for a while. (Timing is adjustable.)

Today when I attempted starting it ( under 30 degrees F.) it would not crank so I left the ignition switch on and tryed jumping the connection on the starter but it would only spin the starter gear without engaging with the flywheel to spin the engine. I then tryed starting the vehicle with the ignition switch but all that happened was I finally got the clicking and idiot lights going dim. (Just like a weak battery). So I boosted it with another vehicle and it cranked and started immediately.

I will try a different battery next time to see what happens. I am leaning more to a bad battery. (I have cleaned the battery cable end and posts.)

No I do not use a radiator hose or block heater.


Let you know results.

[inafogg]

(Just like a weak battery). So I boosted it with another vehicle and it cranked and started immediately.

sounds like you found problem already.
just load test battery as long as its fully charged to be sure
but sounds like a battery problem

[tempfixit]

Next time it gave me a problem I installed a different battery and it cranked and started right up. No problem since.