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Engine turns over kinda slow?

Hi all. 87 tbi 350. My truck does something that kinda makes me nervous. About one out of every 4 times you start the truck, the engine turns over very slowly. If you've ever heard a dying battery, you know the sound I'm referring to. Like it's got just enough power to turn the engine over a few times, but not enough to actually start the truck.

But it always eventually starts. There's nothing wrong with the battery, I spent extra money recently and got a high quality AGM battery. Gotta be something going on with the starter itself. But it's new too.

The truck has always done this, except for one time when I borrowed a friend's starter for some troubleshooting. That thing would spin real fast, every single time. Sounded like the engine was really trying to start, and actually wanted to start.

These slow starts make me nervous cause you start thinking the truck isn't going to start. Sometimes it stops turning over completely, and then in 3 seconds it goes ahead and starts the engine. Anyone know what causes this? Cheap rebuilt starters maybe? Or could it be a cable, like it's not getting enough current to the starter?

Re: Engine turns over kinda slow?

I would check all your POS + connection to make sure there good and clean making good connections.
Oh and check the Fusible links to make sure there not corroded .
Then the NEG - connection to make sure there good and clean making good connections.
With the truck running I would make sure the ALT putting out the right amount power to the batt.
If the ALT check out good, see if the starter is pulling to mush load on the batt. Maybe the starter got an on off short inside. You can take your starter to big store like pet boys whatever in your area free test if you’re not sure about the ALT they do them too. Or maybe the store you got them from if they do test for them.

Re: Engine turns over kinda slow?

I agree with Pontiac1976. Check all grounds and pos first. It’s amazing how a minor issue with continuity can have an affect on electronics.

When I was younger I had the same issue on my first build. The issue was I needed one extra ground strap from the block to the frame. Then the starter turned over as it should.
So check you have a good ground connection from the block to frame, frame to body and battery ground is good.

You should also check voltage drop at the battery and then voltage drop also at the starter. Voltage drop tests will give you a lot of valuable information on where to go next.

Paul

Quote:

Originally Posted by bennylava (Post 8915727)

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