Starter cranks SLOW...only when HOT Options

[Kerrys914]

Finally got my air filters..Freak'n two weeks due to a mix up (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/headbang.gif)

I drove the SIX around for about 20 mins and pulled in to a gas station for a fill up (1st one in a year). Went to leave and it cranked VERY slow and wouldn't start. So I sat there for a about 5 mins and tried to start it again. It cranked alittle faster, just enough to start.

Drove home with no issues

I get home and check the voltage at the battery 13.4v (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wink.gif) Nice. I shut the car off and tried to start it again...it cranked VERY slow.

I came back outside after about 30mins and it cranked like a son-of-bitch and fired right up (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/aktion035.gif)

The battery is new..last year. The alt light is only on when I first start the car. Once I rev it above 1500rpm's it goes out and stays off. 13+ volts at the posts


Any thoughts

[jsteele22]

Just to summarize what others have said:

The battery voltage doesn't tell you much in this case. What matters is how many amps are running through the starter. The main way to reduce the current (amps) is to add resistance to the circuit, and several things can do this. Any place where contacts are dirty or corroded (battery terminal, ground strap from tranny to chassis, contacts on starter, etc.), any place where the wire is too long or too thin (the way the car was designed in the first place; this is why many people add a hot start relay), or any place where wire gets hot (like the coils of wire inside the starter. So anything that eliminates this unwanted resistance will help. Ultimately, the coils inside the starter need to be replaced, which basically means buying a new starter.

It sounds a little strange to me that your starter cranks, but slowly. My case, and most of the "hot start" cases I've read about have a different symptom : the starter doesn't turn at all until car cools down enough, and then cranks just fine. Maybe you are right on the edge, or maybe its more of a problem internal to the starter, as opposed to the external stuff like contacts.

Anyways, cheer up. Cooler weather is coming.....