I'm hoping someone's had experience with this.

Car: '88 GTA 350 (TPI)

Recent Repairs: New Ignition Module, Cap/Rotor, Distributor

Problem: My car will either crank at regular speed, crank slowly, or just click when I turn the key. It used to crank fine but now I get either of these three possibilities. More frequently now it just clicks and I have to keep turning the key until it cranks. When it does, it'll either crank slowly or at regular speed like nothing's wrong. It could be a warm day or a cold morning, temp. doesn't affect it.

What I checked: Battery voltage at rest = 12.8V / at idle = 13.8V

I know that the timing is advanced a little, but again, it sometimes cranks at normal speed. Heat soak is ruled out since this happens also on cold mornings. I hooked up a jump starter to the battery and it didn't improve the condition. I searched the boards but didn't come up with much. Anyone else got any ideas?

 

I had a similar problem a long time ago. It turned out to be a bad starter. I replaced it and that fixed the problem. You may have flat spots on the starter motor. When it is just clicking, have you tried hitting it with a hammer while somebody is cranking the motor? If it starts than you know what the culprit is.
Also another thing to consider is to test the battery voltage under load, meaning while you are cranking. It may be fine at rest, or while the car is running, but if it drops way low while you are cranking, then you know you have a weak battery.

 

OK this really sucks now. I went out and got my starter and battery tested at Autozone. Both checked out fine however they couldn't check the solenoid on the starter, and seeing how it was a complete PITA to remove that behemoth from around the exhaust pipe I just went ahead and bought an LT1 starter instead and bolted it right up.

Now I go to connect the battery and NOTHING HAPPENS. I've got no power going to any part of the car. I checked all the fuses at the fuse block and they're all good. I've also got continuity between the + battery lead and the alternator. I'm really not sure what else to try and without power my trunk will not close and I've got this car sitting outside on ramps.

Help!

 

OK now things are going from worse to critical. I re-installed everything back together after sanding down the leads to the starter solenoid. Suddenly I got power again. I crank it up and it starts just fine, except I hear a clicking noise now, so I shut her down. I start it up again and I hear the clicking noise, but fainter.

Now, when I shut it down, something under the hood keeps running, making a loud whining noise. I pull my keys and step out to pinpoint it but I can't tell where it's coming from - I think somewhere under the TPI or behind it. Suddenly I smell and see smoke so frantically I disconnect the battery cables and it finally shuts off. I've left my car as is and can't imagine what kept spinning, except maybe the starter. Man this really blows. Any help would be awesome, thanks.

 

if the starter is ok, and you are sure, i would suggest a possible messed up ignition switch, i seen this before in a 87 iroc l98, thank you dr engine, happy motoring