Hi All, Im far from a mechanic, so posting this question for feedback.

Car is a 305TPI

Car has been starting but rolling over slowly of late, today when I turned the key, the electronics in the car turned on, but the starter just clicked and wouldnt turn over the motor. After a few tries, she did eventually start. I drove her around for 30 minutes, and parked her, shut her off and started her back up and she turned over fine.

My question is, is the battery going or is the starter? The Battery Meter was showing just under the midway point of 13 when I turned her over initially and she wouldnt turn the motor over.

I think I answered my own question in that the battery is just going south, but any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Also, if it is the Battery, whats the general rule of thumb on how to replace it? Ie. which connections do you take off first, positive or negative, and which do you connect first? I have heard stories of batteries blowing up, so I just want to be cautious.

Thank you all in advance and sorry for the stupid question.

 

Can't tell. Need a voltage meter to know. You need to know the battery voltage before it's started. And then the voltage after it's started. Then you know.

 

My guess...it's the starter.

 

The battery was getting there, so I replaced that, however I do think its the starter now... Just going to replace that too.

Thanks for your input all.

 

check the resistance of your battery and ground cables. That was the problem on my beater.

 

I'm expanding on Token's reply...

Check the cables running to your starter. The cables can corrode up inside and reduce the current flow to your starter.

Does the car turn over faster with the new battery? I'm guessing it doesn't.

 

Well, It does seem to roll over faster now with the better battery. I bought a starter and going to replace it anyway, so I will check the wires when I do that.