What is happening to my cruiser?

[nspctr1]

When I go to start my 75 cruiser ( not my DD and not started in over 6 weeks) it turned over very slowly if at all. I pulled the choke cable out and it turns over a little quicker but still not starting. I bought a new battery, installed it, and now with the choke cable out it will turn a little easier and start but with the cable in it still drags heavily. What is happening? Is it fuel related? I thought it would still turn but just not start if it was starved for fuel. Also, do you guys pump the gas pedal prior to starting or let the fuel pump do all of the work?
thanks in advance for your info.

 

[Gumby]

Not started in 6 weeks? I'd start with the ground connection. Fuel has nothing to do with how fast the motor spins with the starter.

 

[atoyot]

It's not the choke since fuel doesn't control how fast you starter turns. And it's probably not a bad battery because you installed a new one and are getting the same symptoms. I would check the wiring just like Gumby said. You may have a loose or dirty wire somewhere or maybe your starter solenoid or is going bad. I may be off but I think I'm close. Check the wiring running to and from your starter.

 

[Pinion]

I agree. Definitely sounds like either a ground or contact problem.

 

[airon23]

on your second question I do pump the gas just a little bit to help the pump out. Works just fine just don't over do it 2-3 times is prolly all I ever give it

 

[1974 fj40]

I also pump the gas at least once before starting. Unless the engine is warm of course.

I had a starter problem that was a pain in the butt to locate once. It was intermittent and only surfaced at the worst times. It turns out that I had so much grime/slime and corrosion between the starter and its mounting point that it wasn't getting a good ground.

Make sure when you pull the starter off you clean both sides down to the shiny metal before re-installing it. (Yes there is metal under all that gunk after all).....


Since I've fixed that problem she has been turning over strong every time.

Hopefully yours will be something that simple as well......Good Luck!!!!

 

[Desertdave]

Ground strap

I added a large guage ground wire from one of the starter mounting bolts to the adjacent frame, after cleaning to assure good conductivity. When I bought the 'cruiser there was a smaller gauge (maybe 6 guage) wire in that same location, so I thought it was factory.

I also have the braided ground strap from the block to the frame in another location.

In viewing newer vehicles, it is amazing how many braided ground cables there are between various places on the engine, hood, frame, firewall, door posts, etc. I sometimes try to reproduce that on the 'Cruiser, and it does seem to have reduced those pesky intermittent electrical problems.