Starter issue

I need a choke cable, so startinq the enqine takes a couple tries a few pumps of the qas pedal. And sometimes, on the 3rd try, nothinq happens. I dunno if the starter heatinq and pullinq more amps and the armature is worn, or its not qettinq enouqh amps. The connections at the starter are tiqht and fairly clean. And the battery has a qood charqe. Usually 5 or so minutes later, the starter fires up aqain. Any ideas, before I buy a rebuilt starter? The voltaqe requlator is pretty cursty lookinq, if that means anythinq. lol

starters for a sbc are cheap!!! save some time and get another

Starting systems requiire all parts to be right.
Fully charged and good battery
Cables that are good size and have good connections at all ends
Control circuit that has good connections and switches that are in good shape (start switch, may also have neutral switch or clutch switch)

If the battery cranks a few times, then nothing, then a while later it will crank again, I'd have the battery tested (the first step in any electrical diagnosis), then check for draws. A battery will have a "surface" charge that can be depleted while still having a "deep" charge.
To test a battery, the battery must be fully charged, then a heavy load or carbon pile tester is used to check how well it will handle being discharged.

Dean,
My Sportvan did have the same starting issue. Turned out to be the wiring from the starter switch...

Next time it doesn't start, turn the IGN on and jump it from the starter. If if fires up the you know your starter is not the issue and start working you way backwards. It took me about a month since it only happened once in a while.

Dan

Thanks all, Dan I'll do just that. on the starter silenoid (It's been awhile) which pins do you jump? I used to use a screwdriver, buts it's been 25 years lol

The big one and the S terminal (outside one).
The inside one is the I terminal, used to provide full 12 volts to the dist. during cranking.

Oldsmobubble wrote:Thanks all, Dan I'll do just that. on the starter silenoid (It's been awhile) which pins do you jump? I used to use a screwdriver, buts it's been 25 years lol

Well Dean... Think Rod & Don pretty well covered it !!!

And again Dean if it is the starter, shame we don't live closer. I have a shelf full of starters...

Dan