So I relocated my battery to the pass rear bin and changed the starter. The old starter would grind and would not start all the time so I changed it. The new starter I installed for some reason seems to drain the battery all the way down when I try to start. I am not sure what is going on. Do these new starters need more amps to start than the older starters? I am running a miata battery in the rear bin and grounded the negative to a bolt near the spare tire. The engine negative I grounded to chassis. So my question is do I need to run the engine negative straight to the battery. All my gauges come on so I know I have power but not enough to start the car

 

Check to make sure your connections are corrosion and rust free. Also, make sure they are tight.

 

so when i crank it over im getting 11.6-11.8 volts ...is that normal ?...this is with the new starter..should i run direct ground from the battery to the starter.

 

My battery is in my rear bin as well I didn't have to run a ground from a battery to the starter.

 

so i realized its a shitty starter. I got it from kragen with an unlimited warranty.Anyone else have any problems with kragen starters?

 

I stopped using Kragen's alternator's and starters long ago. I called them rentals. Good only till the Mazda one came in. They suck!... check the cold cranking amps on the battery.. 11 volts is not enough to start.