Well i was coming outta school and my car wouldnt start.Itw ould just turn over slow.Finall my friend got it cranked and it ran fine.It did this one other time before but i came back the next morning and it cranked right up.Well i went to a friends house last night and now im driving my moms saturn
My car is still at his house.Any ideas what it could be?Its not the starter cuz its at least turning over.I dont THINK its the battery cuz my interior lights came on and my cd player did too but when i tried to start it the interior lights would dim each time it turned over.Once i get it cranked it runs fine.Maybe the alternator?
Thanks Alot!

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1985 Firechicken
2.8 v6
Mods:
TB Coolant Bypass
My own kik @$$ dual intake
Freshly Painted(bright metallic blue)
Mods to come:
Either an 80 series flows or super turbo dynomax.Cant decide!
An engine is like a person,to scream it has to exhale hard -Flowmaster

 

I had the same problem hers my theory the battery had all the volts but was missing one thing AMPS i was showin 12 volts and it wouldnt crank. Got it jumped went home turned it off went back n showed 12 volts wouldnt start again

 

So what do you think is causing it to lose all the amps?

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1985 Firechicken
2.8 v6
Mods:
TB Coolant Bypass
My own kik @$$ dual intake
Freshly Painted(bright metallic blue)
Mods to come:
Either an 80 series flows or super turbo dynomax.Cant decide!
An engine is like a person,to scream it has to exhale hard -Flowmaster

 

Im not sure i replaced the battery but i think it has to do with my pullys i put on im takeing the ALT one off or maybe too much draw from the batter that what i came up with

 

Well my s.o.b car started right up after i tried to start it after school today.But i bet in tha mornin it wont start to go to school!Ill keep postin.

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1985 Firechicken
2.8 v6
Mods:
TB Coolant Bypass
My own kik @$$ dual intake
Freshly Painted(bright metallic blue)
Mods to come:
Either an 80 series flows or super turbo dynomax.Cant decide!
An engine is like a person,to scream it has to exhale hard -Flowmaster

 

Take it in to a proper auto electrical shop and get them to measure how much current it is drawing when you try to start your car.

My starter had a few spots where the wires on the commutator had shorted together... making it hard to start sometimes, other times it was real easy... depending on where the contacts were. I just got them to rebuild it and I was on my way.

 

I am with you alexJH, could be the solenoid in the starter.

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www.marion-becker-nidda.de
91 Firebird 3.1
Modsynomax ultra flow stainless steel

 

Sounds like the problem that i was having, i had to replace the battery because of my amp and i havent had the problem again.

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1985 Firebird (Kelly)
Stock 2.8L(I think), 240k
K&N Filter
Eclipse CD Deck, Amp and 12's
More to come later

 

Sounds like the problem that i was having, i had to replace the battery because of my amp and i havent had the problem again.

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1985 Firebird (Kelly)
Stock 2.8L(I think), 240k
K&N Filter
Eclipse CD Deck, Amp and 12's
More to come later

 

A 3.1L starter should pull around 130-140 amps when turning over.

If yours is drawing 170-180 amps, that is probably your problem.

I would also check the cables for corrosion.

From my experiences, fix it now while it is running.

They never break down in the driveway.



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1992 Artic White Firebird

1997 Black Firebird

 

I would also say that--
you could be having ignition failure, soon.
I had this happen to my 1985 Firebird.
Starter turned over, started.
Engine would die and then start, again.
When it was wet/rain, it started, after several times.
Eventually car died at an intersection.
I had total ignition failure.
I rebuilt distributor, changed electrical connections, ignition mod. in coil, changed circle thing in distributor, used my 100,000 old Accel Super Coil. No ignition problems, since.

Then I killed my 2.8.
Slipped this rebuilt distributor in the 3.4, ZOOM!

I will say, before I swapped engines, my starter had a "slow" spot. When I did the swap, all I did was sand clean connections, clean all starter exterior from grease/film. No problems since. I also cleaned all wire connections that went to the engine block.

Pull off your starter and check every wire connection, real well. You may eliminate any problems.
I was afraid I may need a new starter, after I did the 2.8-3.4 swap.
All my cleaning work, paid off. Give that a try, you may only spend time, not any money.
Hope so!

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Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA

 

I dont think its ignition failure cuz i got a new dist. and rotor and wires and cap and all.
maybe it is just the grese and all b/c it would turn over a while b4 it actually started.

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1985 Firechicken
2.8 v6
Mods:
TB Coolant Bypass
My own kik @$$ dual intake
Freshly Painted(bright metallic blue)
Mods to come:
Either an 80 series flows or super turbo dynomax.Cant decide!
An engine is like a person,to scream it has to exhale hard -Flowmaster

 

Valve covers leak alot right there, onto the starter area.
Check it out!
Especially IF you've never changed valve cover gaskets.
Clean, clean, clean!!!
It may be your simple but dirty solution. It was for me.
i've been awaiting to hit that former slow start.
Nope, never again I hope.
I only cleaned, not replace, a thing.

------------------
Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA

 

KED, if I had $10 for every time brake cleaner made an electric connection work, I'd probably be close to $100 by now

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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
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