Voltage drops when I turn the key to start it
09-15-2004, 07:01 AM
#1
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Car: 1989 IROC
Engine: 350
Transmission: T56
Voltage drops when I turn the key to start it
When I turn the key to start my car, the voltage drops to like 8 volts and the car does not turn over or click or anything. It does not do this everytime, but is doing it a lot of the time. I realize there is a short because of the voltage drop as well as a white wire with a red or pink stripe that gets really hot. I know that a bad starter can cause a short, but I hear a clicking under the dash when this happens. So if the starter is causing the short, would something under the dash make any sounds? Or is there a relay switch of some kind under the dash that could be bad and causing the short?
Thanks
Tim
Thanks
Tim
09-15-2004, 07:30 AM
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Car: 1987 Camaro Z28
Engine: 335 TPI Stroker
Transmission: Tremec TKO 500
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt / 3.42
My starter solenoid was junk last week, every morning I put the key "ON" and it would only have like 8-10 volts...it was shorting out on something.
I put a new starter in and the problem is fixed! 12 volts everytime.
I put a new starter in and the problem is fixed! 12 volts everytime.
09-15-2004, 08:55 AM
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Car: 1987 IROCZ
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700r4
I bet starter, the noise is most likely coming from the starter solenoid.
BTW, Those flames look good you guys...hot
BTW, Those flames look good you guys...hot
Last edited by bobsroc; 09-15-2004 at 08:59 AM.
09-15-2004, 09:14 AM
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Car: 1989 IROC
Engine: 350
Transmission: T56
Hmmm, I swear it is coming from under the dash, but I guess anything is possible. It probably would not hurt to just change the starter I guess. Bobsroc, thanks for the compliment.
09-16-2004, 01:48 AM
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Car: 1989 Trans Am
Engine: 1989 305 TPI
Transmission: 700-R4
Axle/Gears: 2.77 10 bolt
If you want to elimate the possibility of a fusible link, attach a big piece of wire from the positive terminal of your battery to the battery terminal on the alternator. This bypasses the fusible link and I did it on my car and I was able to completely narrow down where the problem was. In my case, it was definitely a fusible link.
09-16-2004, 04:48 AM
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Car: 1984 Z28 camaro HO Gun metal Gray
Engine: 305,L69 H.O. rebuilt
Transmission: 700R4
might try this
The other guys may be right. I would try something a little simpler. When there is a bad ground.. to starter or to battery your voltage will drop because the connection is bad. try cleaning the grounds adn see what it does. I mean clean them not just with a rag. take a knife and clean to bear metal. If that works you saved yourself 100 bucks if not you lost a little time.
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09-16-2004, 06:56 AM
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Car: 1989 IROC
Engine: 350
Transmission: T56
I started it last night by jumping the posts on the solenoid. So, I think that eliminates the starter or grounds being the problem. I am not sure about the fusible links though, that may be an issue. But it seems to be a problem under the dash to me. Maybe I am just going to have to trace the wire that is gettig hot and see where it goes 
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