Jazzman_Q

Hi folks, me again with my occasional problem.

My 88 Tii has over the last couple of weeks started becoming slow to start. It will start but seems to labor for a few revolutions before starting.

I thought the battery was an issue, but when hooked up to an automatic charger it reads as fully charged, then I checked and replaced the sparkplugs, could the msd that I installed several years ago be taking a crap? What about the starter?

To describe the start up: It would be be a slow windup taking almost 5-8 seconds to start, almost as if it's flooded, but then fire up.

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance

Jazzman_Q

No info from any of the Guru's...Wow

T24U

Use your multi-meter to test voltage at the battery with the key off. Should be over 12V. Now start the car, turn on ALL your loads (headlights, stereo, heater, etc), now check it, it should be charging at about 14V, If it's at 12V or less you may have a bad alternator that is slowly sucking the life out of your battery. If the voltage looks fine under load you most likely have a weak battery. Try swapping a known good battery into it.

Also, while you are testing the alternator with the electrical system on full load, check the amperage. Sometimes the voltage will look ok, but it won't be putting out enough amps.

Jazzman_Q

I checked the alt belt, it was loose, so I tightened it up. Took car to NAPA and checked the battery and charging system. Results were good. 12 volts prior to starting 14.3 volts under load. Battery seemed strong, and came back as fully charged.

Napa Guy said he had problems with the MSD 6A on his own car, and that it might be that.

Then car flooded in parking lot, and again when I drove a couple miles to the gas station and stopped for fuel. Then noticed on way home 2-3 miles that the tach and the turbo gauges stopped working ???

I'm thinking About ordering another MSD, as that one had been on the car for 2-3 years.


Any thoughts anyone.

Jazzman_Q

Well after checking the alt/charging/battery, I am at a loss.

I remember that I was topping off fluids a couple of weeks ago, and noticed that the sub-zero assist bottle was empty. I then filled it as per the manual.

This might be the missing link to my problems. Is it possible though?

I drained the bottle as much as I could with a turkey baster, and will keep an eye on the starting progress as i expect there is still some fluid in the hosing that needs to be run out.

I thought the SZ assist was to help starting in cold weather, how could it cause my problems or could it?

Could it be that I am chasing my tail on this?

Any additional help from the Rotary Gods would be great, because as a mere mortal I am almost at my wits end, and don't want to damage, or cause any more damage.

Plus the wifey, is tired of car problems, not just with the fc but with several in our fleet, and is pushing towards replacing the fc with something more dependable as a daily driver.

zenofspeed

iTrader: (1)

Have you checked compression?

Longshoe

iTrader: (2)

Is the cranking slow or does it crank at a normal speed but takes many revolutions before it starts?

Jazzman_Q

It would crank slow, like it was building up speed then would fire up.

I changed the battery, I thought it was to old to hold up, it's been in the car since I got it 4+ years ago.

now it won't do anything.

I'm unable to check compression right now...

Killert2

starter went out maybe??

ViperBart

iTrader: (3)

Sound just like when my starter went.
I had mine rebuilt at specialty shop. I don't remember how much it cost, but i think it was around 150$

No more strting problems for me so far... (fingers crossed)

Good Luck

EvenOlder

Sounds exactly like the starter.
The gurus [Hailers] talked to me about brushes going bad in certain spots. Same exact symptoms as you.
I bought a brand new one complete from one of the online shops (something like autopartswarehouse or such) for $147. Fixed the problem instantly, easy to install, but that was an N/A.
steve

Jazzman_Q

Now I don't even get the starter turning... turn the key, and absolutely deafening silence.

I hope this is the starter, and not the motor I'm still fighting to keep the fc.

J.MurdaFCs3

I got damn near the exact same prob. in my 87 TII. sounds like when u turn the key something is trying to build up speed or power to start . I took it to the shop and tested the battery and fuel pump. final verdict from them was battery or spark plug. I already got a new battery, plugs n wires 5 days prior but i bit and took it back anyway. No luck. im leaning towards a starter. I was goin to get a msd ign but maybe not now. hopefully mine doesn't go to the nothing phase when i turn the key, but i feel ur pain. its got me ready to sell it.its my only car right now and im sick of the rape artist prices from the shop. $95 a damn hr to tinker around but fix nothing!!!!

J-Rat

iTrader: (2)

Pull the starter out and go have it tested.. This isn't rocket science ya know. And a compression test for a slow cranking motor?!?! REALLY???

crazyasu

get under your car and hit the starter with a hammer a couple of times it'll fire right up

turboIIrotary

iTrader: (9)

your brushes might be stuck take off your starter and take it apart and clean it and check for worn/stuck brushes and while you have the starter off you can clean some grounds under there.

HAILERS

Seeing as how you already checked and made sure the gnd wire on the starters long bolt is on good and the connections on the starter solenoid are good, and you know the batt is good............go back to the NAPA place and order a set of brushes for the starter. About thirty bucks. Install them per the FSM. I bet if they're put in right, the starter will now spin over a lot faster.

When I took my *bad* starter apart, the brushes were worn to a nub. Hammering on the side of the starter (before getting the brushes) would get the starter at least spinning again for a day or so. But all that was doing was repositioning the brushes on the commutator.

Do the brushes since you tried the other things and KNOW they're good.

HAILERS

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IF you mean you hold the key to START, and all you hear is a high whining sound as if the starter was spinning real fast, but the engine isn't turning, then the starter solenoid isn't very good. You might have to go to Start several times before the thing engages to start the engine. Solenoids don't cost much.

Frankly I never could find brushes for sale locally (went Pepboys/autozone, not very through search), until I saw a fellow on this site say NAPA carrys them. Not that hard to change out. I did it quick and dirty in a half to three quarters of an hour. Like I said, quick and Dirty.