I just bought a 1986 Camaro 2.8L V6. As soon as I got it home and turned it off I couldn't turn it back on. The dash lights pulse when I turn the key, but the engine doesn't turn over. So I boosted it with my truck, reving the truck. It turned over when I boosted with the truck, and started immediately. Could this be a bad starter that is drawing too much power? Or is it something wrong with the battery? I'm new here so some help would be awesome thanks!

Colin

 

Prolly not the starter. More likely, the batt or batt cables. If it was me, I'd start by cleaning up the cables and terminals, both cables, both ends.

 

What he said. If the cables don't correct it, pull the battery and take it auto zone and have them test it that way of it is the battery, you can just swap it for a new one right there. Likely it is just the battery if the cables make good connections, and are not all corroded.

 

Thanks for help! What is your preferred method of clean the cables/terminals?

 

Steel wire brush, or plain steel brillo. (No detergent in it) you could go to a local parts store and they have post cleaning tools there. They are over by the batteries, and battery maintenence area. They look like a **** with copper or steel wire. You put them over the battery post and twist back and forth.

 

That covers the mechanical part of it.

Additionally, there's a chemical part; because battery acid causes most of the corrosion around the batt itself, and wire brushing or sandpaper doesn't get rid of that.

For that, use LOTS of baking soda and hot water. Mix a coupla tablespoons of baking soda (just yerbasic Arm & hammer type stuff, any brand will do) in a small plastic cup, and dunk all the parts in it. Make new solution whenever it quits bubbling. Soak em until all clean and shiny. You can clean the batt terminal with it as well, just be REAL CAREFUL not to get it into the batt itself. Neutralizes a battery as effectively as it neutralizes the acid on the external parts.