battery or starter issue?

[John]

I took a brief look at it yesterday but with family in town I had little time to slip away for a full diagnosis. But what I did find may very well be the issue. Two things, for one, the battery is 93 months old (it's a 2005). The voltage is fine at 12.5 volts but I suspect with the age, it's load ability is far from fresh. Second, the positive lead on the starter is rusted. So, the plan is replace the old battery and clean up the connections on the starter and see how that goes. It may indeed resolve the issue. Thanks for your input.

[Hank70SS]

Fully charged battery should be around 12.8v. At 12.2v consider it dead, most likely will not turn the engine over. Many people don't realize the proper voltage for a 12v battery. They assume 12v for a 12v battery is good, not true.

[John]

I cleaned up the rusted cable at the starter. Test drove it to get to normal temp, shut if off for a few minutes then cranked it over. Although it did cranked over, it acted strained like it didn't have the torque. I'll replace the battery in the spring. If that doesn't do it, I'll replace the starter.

[shadowgray396]

Most automotive electrical-battery shops can put a tester on your battery and tell you which one is bad when you try start your car. Orileys, Autozone, etc will do it for free.

[mck531]

Hey John

As a control electrician I can tell you what to rule out.

While your car is running take a volt meter to the battery.

It should read close to 14 volts. A battery wont crank a starter if you don't have 12.6 volts or more. Also check the output of your altenator. It should be 14 volts.

Its possible you have a dead spot on your starter. I would keep an eye on it

[John]

I replace the battery with a solid AC Delco, 850 CC amps at 0 degrees, and 1,000 CCA at 32 degrees. So far I've not had any issue's starting it when it's hot however, the true test will be this summer.

[Ms Grumpy]

John did you do the heat shield too ? I would still suggest it.

[bad68]

I think you should be fine with the new battery and corrected positive lead on th e starter.