engine won't turn
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engine won't turn
I have a 88 w/a 302. The engine fails to turn or turns very slow, it does not click like the battery is dead, it will start when it sits for a while and everything cools down, it's a new heavy duty battery, I did notice the cables are getting quite hot. The truck did sit all winter with no-one going out to turn it over so I bought the new battery just in case. ( I broke both my legs in Sept and just getting back to be able to drive again ) Please help, all answers are appreciated no matter how stupid I may seem.
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From: Virginia
Where are the cables getting hot, near the ends? If you have one hot spot, then that points to a bad or corroded connection. If the whole cable is getting hot, then that might be something else.
But it will run you said? If it won't run, then try turning the engine by hand to see how stiff it is.. There is a small chance you had a coolant leak, and now one of the cylinders is rusted.
But it will run you said? If it won't run, then try turning the engine by hand to see how stiff it is.. There is a small chance you had a coolant leak, and now one of the cylinders is rusted.
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both cables are hot all the way to the connection, batery does not get hot, i tried turning the engine by hand and it's very difficult. It will start if I let it sit or keep trying, last night I took it for a 15 mile ride and everything seemed ok. I'm stumped. going to recheck all the connections.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Easton,Ks
If the cables are hot all the way that says there is too much current flowing in the cables.
This is caused by one of three things:
1. Low voltage from the Battery (Low Charge).
2. Worn bushings in the Starter (Starter dragging).
3. The Engine is hard to turn (spun bearing, broken ring, timing off, clutch not releasing in gear, rust and so on).
Yours sounds like the third one.
This is caused by one of three things:
1. Low voltage from the Battery (Low Charge).
2. Worn bushings in the Starter (Starter dragging).
3. The Engine is hard to turn (spun bearing, broken ring, timing off, clutch not releasing in gear, rust and so on).
Yours sounds like the third one.
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From: Virginia
Well if you took it for a road trip, then that should have cleared away any rust in the cylinders.
If it was timing, it should spin pretty good cold, and struggle when the engine is warm.
The starter is hard to test at home. It could be the starter, but the only way to find out is put another one on.
If it was timing, it should spin pretty good cold, and struggle when the engine is warm.
The starter is hard to test at home. It could be the starter, but the only way to find out is put another one on.
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I traced the positive cable and it was melted at the selenoid, looked like original equipment, so i replaced it, the selenoid 10 bucks, took it for a nice long ride, the battery cables were no longer hot and it stated up first time everytime. Sounds like rust and corrosion, thanks for your help guys. Now off to get it insected, hahaha, it has straight pipes and i live in Rhode Island, looks like a new exaust next week.
