Hello all,

Took my Camaro out yesterday and today to take advantage of the last nice weather before the winter, got all the way across my home town to my destination, stopped the car, and came back a few minutes later to start, but it wouldn't do it. Acted like the battery was very low, turn slowly then stop, turn slowly then stop, then click a few times. My first thought was starter heat soak, as the car has long tube headers that are VERY close to the starter, so I left for about an hour to let the car cool down. After coming back, car still wouldn't start, doing the same slow crank. After jump starting with my wife's Toyota Camry (how embarrassing!) the crank speed was normal and the car started right up and ran GREAT again.

Here's some info you need: new battery relocated to truck with new aftermarket kit, so new cables, and a battery disconnect. This is the first time this has happened since the relocation kit, and the battery has never been left "on" with the car sitting for more than a few minutes. The starter has been replaced in the last few years, as has the alternator.

Someone please help! I'm a mechanic, so any repairs will be no problem, but I'm just not used to working on old carburated engines (plus I'm a ford mechanic...)

Any ideas or thoughts would be helpful.

 

Basic troubleshooting should solve the problem even if you don't know carbed Chevys. Check to see that cable connections are tight and not corroded, alternator belt has correct tension, water level in battery, phantom draw on electrical system.

Autozone check on battery and alternator output if none of the above apply. My thoughts are a short in battery.

Good luck and I hope you can get out of the Toyo soon!

 

Did the kit you bought, ground the neg. terminal to the body of the car, i.e. back by the battery, or run it all the way back to the engine??

If it's grounded to the body you need to make sure you have one or two really good ground wires of the same size as the neg. bat. wire going from the body to the engine. P.S. the "normal" ground wires that are on the engine are NOT large enough to support a rear mounted bat.

If the neg. bat. wire goes all the way back to the engine. Make sure it's large enough for the job and is grounded well on the engine.

 

how new is the battery... not every new battery is a good one. i've had that problem many times. at least you have it narrowed down to a power issue. motor shouldn't have an issue, grounds, cables, battery and alternator in this issue. especially if it starts after a jump.

good luck! pita but not too bad..