Slow cranking, will eventually turn over. Trying to diagnos

FourTheWinn · **Posted:** Thu May 24, 2012 2:25 pm

Hey guys and gals-

First time poster, long time browser, so I apologize if this isn't posted correctly. Quick summary: I have an '89 200 Horizon with a 5.8L OMC Cobra I/O. The last 2 times at the lake the motor will crank for longer than usual before it fires, maybe 3 - 4 seconds. It hasn't left me stranded yet, but I'm at the point where I don't feel comfortable shoving off anymore. Voltage meter on dash shows big voltage drop when I fire ignition. Both batteries, starting and house, have been load tested and are fully charged. My research leads me to think the solenoid or the starter is bad, most likely the starter. I will attempt to test solenoid tonight.

My main concern is the starter. From what I've read it should be located on the starboard side in the back of the engine bay. I have yet to SEE the starter so I'm still trying to confirm that. If that IS the case, how does one access it to remove it for testing? The 5.8L is pretty "crammed" in to the bay and it's hard to even get a flashlight in there. Any help on confirming the symptoms and the location/removal issues with the starter would be greatly appreciated. I can provide any other information I may have left out. Thanks for any help you might be able to provide.

pet575 · **Posted:** Thu May 24, 2012 2:29 pm

Have you verified that the battery cables are still good? If they are stock they could be completely corroded on the inside and you wouldn't see it from the outside. This happened on my 2004 tow vehicle. Could also be loose and/or corroded battery connection(s) so I would check all of your connections very carefully before you start trying to tear out the starter.

Agree that if your battery connections are clean and tight and your cables are good then it could be an aging starter. Doesn't seem like a solenoid problem. Seems like a solenoid would cause the starter not to spin at all.

FourTheWinn · **Posted:** Thu May 24, 2012 2:42 pm

I will confirm that the wires aren't corroded tonight when I start digging into it. Visual inspection looks like they are in good shape. The solenoid is on the top of the motor in the back of the bay, facing backwards, so you can't see any of the connections. Scratching my head a bit on how to get access to that as well. Thanks for the information and the quick reply!

gregs · **Posted:** Thu May 24, 2012 2:50 pm

I would agree with Pet, check and clean all the battery connections including the grounds.

Greg

FourTheWinn · **Posted:** Thu May 24, 2012 2:56 pm

As soon as I turn the key it cranks once, hard, and then it slowly builds up speed and will turn the motor over enough to fire. I have been on the lake 6 times or so with no issues. The last time it was evident every time I started up. I'll go through all the wiring as you guys have mentioned to confirm that's not the issue. Thanks.

ric · **Posted:** Thu May 24, 2012 3:44 pm

Carb rebuild time!

Paul I. · **Posted:** Thu May 24, 2012 3:55 pm

I could be wrong, to me, it sound like the brushes in the starter are going. If it was the cables, it would not "slowly builds up speed". Due to the load across the cables.

If the are that old, I would replace the cables just the same.

EvilZ · **Posted:** Thu May 24, 2012 4:25 pm

Sounds like what was happening on my '68 Firebird - bad negative cable.

FourTheWinn · **Posted:** Thu May 24, 2012 4:46 pm

Thanks for the input guys. I will check wiring first and go from there. I've got a hunch that says it's more than that, but I'd gladly welcome a bad wire causing me this problem. Thanks for all the help.

FourTheWinn · **Posted:** Wed Jun 20, 2012 12:05 am

Long story short, the starter was bad. Checked all the wiring and finally bit the bullet and pulled the starter. Wasn't as difficult to get out as it looked, remove 2 bolts, set it on floor and pull it out the other side. Took the starter in for testing and it tripped the breaker in the testing machine twice. Put the new starter in today, buttoned it back up, and it started right up. Thanks for all the input on this, I appreciate it.

www.iFourWinns.com

Slow cranking, will eventually turn over. Trying to diagnos

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