Battery? Cold? Worse?
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Battery? Cold? Worse?
Im having trouble starting my newly rebuilt 1979 ford 302 in my van.
Engine works fine, but when attempting to start it, starter turns over slowl and slower. Fully charged tha battery on my own charger, then tried again.
Bit better, but starter slowed down immediately.
I took the battery to be tested, but guy didn't look that knowledgable.
To my it sounds like a dead or very weak battery, because starter IS turning, no clikc, no goan, just VERY slow.
Mite go buy new battery to eliminate battery as cause.
Any advice?
Engine works fine, but when attempting to start it, starter turns over slowl and slower. Fully charged tha battery on my own charger, then tried again.
Bit better, but starter slowed down immediately.
I took the battery to be tested, but guy didn't look that knowledgable.
To my it sounds like a dead or very weak battery, because starter IS turning, no clikc, no goan, just VERY slow.
Mite go buy new battery to eliminate battery as cause.
Any advice?
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2005
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Newly rebuilt engine thats a little tight will find the weak link in a starting system. Need to load test the battery and have starter checked. Also check battery and starter cables and connections including grounds.
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Same Symptoms
hey guys
got battery tested, said its ok.
I completely rebuilt most of the van 3 months ago before winter.
New Starter, all new wires, connectors, relay.
Had grounnd problem, starter and relay made click noise. fixed
done 1000 miles with van, then winter hit.
now this slow starter turn and slight groan.
i rechecked all connections, grounds, cleaner battery and terminals.
still same slow turn over, like battery is weak
got battery tested, said its ok.
I completely rebuilt most of the van 3 months ago before winter.
New Starter, all new wires, connectors, relay.
Had grounnd problem, starter and relay made click noise. fixed
done 1000 miles with van, then winter hit.
now this slow starter turn and slight groan.
i rechecked all connections, grounds, cleaner battery and terminals.
still same slow turn over, like battery is weak
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2007
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I'd go with a new battery as a way to eliminate that from the equation. Get one with a good replacement guarantee (like from Sam's Club) and you can always take it back if it's not the issue.
The battery might not have the cold cranking amps that it used to have when it was new. That's why it worked up until winter time.
The battery might not have the cold cranking amps that it used to have when it was new. That's why it worked up until winter time.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2005
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if your battery test good than I would not replace it.... well, that would depend on how it was tested.
with a fully charged battery, all good connection and wiring, good starter and all and it wont turn over.... something is getting hot..... I would crank it over for as long as you can and then start feeling around for what getting hot. I would also check the timing, if it's to far advanced it will kick back on start up....
with a fully charged battery, all good connection and wiring, good starter and all and it wont turn over.... something is getting hot..... I would crank it over for as long as you can and then start feeling around for what getting hot. I would also check the timing, if it's to far advanced it will kick back on start up....
Last edited by HemiEater; Jan 4, 2008 at 07:34 PM.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Rhode Island
How did they test the battery? If they didn't put a 200+ amp load on it for 5 seconds or more, they didn't test it right.
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the engine IS turning over, just really sluggishly, then slows to nothing...
NO click noises, NO heat, no sparks...
i resolved all those problems by changing EVERYTHING when i redid the engine...
The entire ignition system is new, i mean everything....
I had some ground problems, fixed and rechecked all those.
We got Canadian tire up here in montreal, they got a big testing machine, came out ok at two different stores.
i think i might just get a new one to try, i really didnt want to...
but then i can eliminate that as a source of concern.
i know a bit about cars. have done buncha work, it sounds like dead battery which is weird. Newish battery, new system, i unplugg the terminsal when not in use.
weird
NO click noises, NO heat, no sparks...
i resolved all those problems by changing EVERYTHING when i redid the engine...
The entire ignition system is new, i mean everything....
I had some ground problems, fixed and rechecked all those.
We got Canadian tire up here in montreal, they got a big testing machine, came out ok at two different stores.
i think i might just get a new one to try, i really didnt want to...
but then i can eliminate that as a source of concern.
i know a bit about cars. have done buncha work, it sounds like dead battery which is weird. Newish battery, new system, i unplugg the terminsal when not in use.
weird
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It's those electrical gremlins man. They're a pain in the *** to find and a pain in the *** to get rid of. If everything you're telling us is true the battery is the only logical explanation. The testing places aren't always 100% accurate. Do you have another one in a daily driver that you could hook up to see? That would answer your question and prevent you from having to buy a new one until you know.
Here's a silly question... Does the engine have oil in it? I know it seems like an obvious thing but I've met plenty of people who's car wouldn't start because there wasn't any gas in it. Just wondering...
Here's a silly question... Does the engine have oil in it? I know it seems like an obvious thing but I've met plenty of people who's car wouldn't start because there wasn't any gas in it. Just wondering...
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hehe i know man, sometime its TOO obvious...
i always check oil before, all fluids topped up.
AND gas!!! woohoo
i'm gona find another batt to test with, or just suck it up and buy another that i can keep around or find a home for if i dont end up needing it.
Its weird though, cause it really seems to me from what i know thats its a weak battery, but i had charged and tested twice to make sure...
they won't respect my warranty cause they say their tester shows that battery is still fine.
MAn, i had ALL electrical problems sorted last summer, the whole rebuild of the vehicle took me months, my first real car project, but now i know my vehicle in and out, upgraded most parts...
guess im still few things short..
i should really have a block heater installed for the winters here, thats one thing i thought it might be, although hasn't been ridiculously cold yet.
anyway, cheers guys, will try new batt first.
i always check oil before, all fluids topped up.
AND gas!!! woohoo
i'm gona find another batt to test with, or just suck it up and buy another that i can keep around or find a home for if i dont end up needing it.
Its weird though, cause it really seems to me from what i know thats its a weak battery, but i had charged and tested twice to make sure...
they won't respect my warranty cause they say their tester shows that battery is still fine.
MAn, i had ALL electrical problems sorted last summer, the whole rebuild of the vehicle took me months, my first real car project, but now i know my vehicle in and out, upgraded most parts...
guess im still few things short..
i should really have a block heater installed for the winters here, thats one thing i thought it might be, although hasn't been ridiculously cold yet.
anyway, cheers guys, will try new batt first.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Rhode Island
I don't think a block heater is needed on a 302. It could be possible that your battery just hates being cold. I know this sounds like alot of work, but charge your battery upto the top, and bring it inside for the night so it can warm up, and when you go to start your van, put the battery in it, and see if it cranks any faster.
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hmmm, i'll got get the battery now then, bring it in. good idea, i like experiments.
why do you say block heater prob not necessary for 302? because of size?
i assumed warming up any block and thus fluids would be a good thing?
why do you say block heater prob not necessary for 302? because of size?
i assumed warming up any block and thus fluids would be a good thing?
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Rhode Island
Originally Posted by alexchavel
hmmm, i'll got get the battery now then, bring it in. good idea, i like experiments.
why do you say block heater prob not necessary for 302? because of size?
i assumed warming up any block and thus fluids would be a good thing?
why do you say block heater prob not necessary for 302? because of size?
i assumed warming up any block and thus fluids would be a good thing?
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2005
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it might just be the starter... pull it and have it tested....
is there a good ground going to the block?
something is getting hot, even when I start my Clevor something in the system gets hot, try what I said....feel around don't just assume
and just because you have all new ignition dose not mean it's timed right.
is there a good ground going to the block?
something is getting hot, even when I start my Clevor something in the system gets hot, try what I said....feel around don't just assume
and just because you have all new ignition dose not mean it's timed right.