Basically here's my question: How many amps does it take to crank a starter?

Here's the story:
I was replacing the alternator last night and when I went to the battery to disconnect it (the battery is in the trunk) and I accidentally completed the circuit with a socket wrench and it really made a mess of the battery before I knocked it off with a hammer. So afterwards I got the new alternator in and connected the battery and it started up fine I drove it around a little then came home turned it off then tried to start it back up about 30 min later and it didn't start it was trying to crank for a second but after that nothing at all. I had the alternator tested and it came back good. I also tried to charge the battery for about 2 hours to try and fix the problem but it's still a no go. So basically here's what I know: the battery is outputting 12V and 5.25 amps. Could it be my battery is not outputting enough amps to crank the starter or could something else be wrong that I might be overlooking? It's a $170 optima battery I'd rather not replace it unless I have to.

 

With a warm V-8, a normal (non-reduction gear) starter will draw about 200-350A to start, deepending on compression and how tight the engine is. Colder engines with inferior lubricants will draw even more.

Exactly how are you measuring the starter draw to determine the 5.25A figure?

 

Well if I had known it was supposed to be that much I would not have used a multimeter to test it. But I guess since my multimeter still works then the reading could have been right or close?

 

Well just for a laugh I went to try and crank it and nothing happend at first. But I turned the ignition back took the key out several times and on the 3rd try it cranked and started. Any ideas?

 

What car/year/engine do you have?

 

77/chevelle-malibu/305

 

Ok well I bought a new battery and it seems to want to only crank when the engine has been sitting for a while.

 

While an assistant tries to crakn the engine, ,measure voltage at the 'S' terminal on the starter solenoid. If there is voltage but no solenoid action, you may have a weak solenoid pull-in coil. Of course, all that depends on a well grounded starter and solenoid.

If there is no voltage, you have a problem with the cranking circuit, like the ignition switch, neutral or clutch safety switch, wiring, etc.

 

Ok I replaced the whole starter and it started up the first two times just fine I drove it around till the temp got up to 190 then I turn it off and tried to start it again but it wouldn't. The starter was trying to crank really slow so I turned the ignition off but it kept trying to crank until I unhooked the battery. I have no idea what the problem could be other than the ignition switch. Anyone have any other ideas?