[Rossww]

So, I've been given my Grandmother's 91 Tempo. It's been sitting for a long time. I've got it on the road now but the starter seemed to crank the engine slower and slower, I mean really slow, until it didn't crank at all. Turn the key and the starter relay (on the firewall, the starter does have a solenoid on it) would click. I took the starter to a local guy who rebuilds starters etc. He took it apart and said the brushes were shot. He wouldn't sell me a brush set -he only wanted to sell me a starter. I decided to get one from the wrecker. Put it in and the engine started ok for about a week and then proceeded to gradually repeat the slow cranking mode until last night, it stopped cranking and there's only a loud click from the relay when the key is turned. The wrecker replaced it (the starter) today and the same thing, very slow crank and then "click" all within 3 minutes!

Voltage across batt posts : 12.4 vdc , Under load: 11.2 vdc

I'm aware that it could be just 3 bad starters but I'm wondering if the starter relay could create these symptoms.

Please reply ASAP. It would be very convenient to have this on the road tomorrow!

Thanks!

[shensley]

my suggetion is get the battery checked if it int a new one. this could weather will let you know just how strong your battery really is.

[mark v]

Yes the battery could have 1 dead cell, have it load tested.

[Rossww]

Shensley and MarkV,

Huge apologies for not re-posting. I forgot to add this forum to my favorites and all updates were going to my junk email.

Of course, when I logged back on (finally), it was via the link, "Speak Now Or Forever Hold Your Peace..." (in the weekly update). Being a new member of this forum, I was shocked to see what was going on! I get it though.

However it plays out for all involved, I personally appreciate the help -for whatever that's worth!

The end result on my starter issue was that it was the "3 bad starters". I went to the local rebuilder and paid 3x what the wrecker charged me but the beast lives!

I've got alot of issues that I need to deal with as this car has been sitting off and on for extended periods of time. I hope I'll be able to find the help when needed....

Ross

[Poppy]

Ross,
Thanks for posting the resolution to your slow starter problem.

[Rossww]

Caveat Emptor.....

Is that a common term I've never heard of (and thus looked it up on Google) or are you just that wise?

[Poppy]

Ross,
I was first exposed to that term in the '70's, it may be that it was a more common term in use back then, than now. I really do not know. Wise? no... old? maybe!

You are certainly on the road to knowledge. If you continue to google words or terms you are not familiar with, it won't be long before you have a larger vocabulary than me. Your knowledge base will certainly grow, and eventually become huge. I don't know how one becomes wise, but I believe that it takes a combination of knowledge, experience, and coaching from those who have the abilty to impart wisdom.

Good luck to you.
Keep googling