starting problem

[cruisermaine]

'00 cruiser with 72,000 miles. I have searched and found plenty on starter contacts but not sure that is my problem. Symptom: truck usually starts fine but occassionally has difficulty cranking. first noticed the problem about afew days ago. I'd turn the key and there was a sort of lag for like the first second but it would crank over. It has been getting progressively worse and today it almost didn't start at all. It was trying to crank but felt like there wasn't enough juice. I drove it to a lot at a nearby service station just in case. After shutting down I tried to start it and it fired right up with no lag at all. The battery is showing plenty of life judging by the voltmeter in the IC. I've only had the truck two months. Maybe I shouldn't sell the 80 just yet

 

[hank14]

I would think it is a battery problem. Original battery?

 

[ff347]

You could have the beginnings of a dead short in your battery, have someone load test the battery. They can still show good voltage and be dying internally. I had a battery do nearly the exact same thing, of course I could be way off also!
Scott

 

[jp213a]

It could be as simple as corrosion on the battery terminals causing a high resistance connection. The battery will take a charge so the volt meter will read OK but current flow from the battery to starter is impeded. While you have the battery disconnected to clean the terminals, I'd go ahead and remove it and take it to one of the chain auto parts stores for a free load test. The original battery on my 2000 failed at 110kmi with no warning. I went back with an Interstate C27F-XHD for $75.

 

[cruisermaine]

Thanks for the replies. It did have that weak battery sound this morning. I'll pull it out and have it load tested. Didn't know the voltmeter wasn't a direct indication of battery health.

 

[cruisermaine]

Any recommendations on batteries? I've never had an Optima. Only the Panasonics that came with the Toyotas or a couple Sears Die Hards.

 

[ff347]

Extra thought, always have the new battery tested before you leave w/it! You don't want to do it 3 times, they do fail on the shelf. I use NAPA.

 

[rph74]

Sounds like starter contacts to me. Very familiar symptoms.

 

[Jim_Chow]

I think you need to test the battery under load (ie, output current). It's like when you have really weak flashlight batteries. If you remove a single cell and measure it on the voltmeter, it'll likely read 1.5v, but you know under load, it can't deliver any current.

 

[ppressle]

I would question the starter contacts as well. Test the battery as that is easy to do, but if the battery testws out ok, suspect the contacts.

When mine went, sometimes it would start very nicely, sometimes very poorly. It got gradually worse until it finally just made the clicking.

Good luck. I hope it IS the battery.

Pete