1991 Buick Century Not ordinary starting problem

1991 BUICK CENTURY
220,000 MILES • 6 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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PHENIUS
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A couple of days ago, car started having some problems starting up, until one day i turned the car off for 3 minutes then tried starting back up, and the started sounding like it was getting juice but not enough, just to say turning a little bit. Tried boosting, but nothing.

Took off the starter, tested it - it was good.
Checked the continuity of the cables from the battery to the starter - they're good.
Got a load test done on the battery - it's good.

After I put everything back together, the car started with a boost, I let it run for around 10 minutes, then brought it to my driveway, shut it off and tried to turn it back on, but it did the same thing as before.

I have a bad water pump bearing, so tomorrow I think I will try starting the engine without any accessories to see if it's a seizure problem, but if it's not, what are other things I should look into?

It has the 3.3.
Jan 11, 2008 at 4:57 PM
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RASMATAZ
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A bad water pump bearing will not stop the starter from cranking the engine over. Do a voltage drop test on each battery cable should not exceed 0.02 volts on each cable. Be advised what you did by testing the starter is a no oad test-it has an overrunning clutch in it-if this one is slipping it will not lock in place and crank the engine.

Double check all connections-could be also a problem with a starter relay,neutral safety switch and ignition switch.
Jan 11, 2008 at 5:13 PM
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MASTERTECHTIM
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definately double check the starter motor. like raz said your starter will check out fine with no load on it. if you have a bad armature inside starter it will spin fine until the pressure of starter drive hitting the flywheel will put pressure on armature possibly shorting it out.
Jan 11, 2008 at 5:20 PM
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RASMATAZ
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You can degut the starter and inspect the armature/commutator and brushes-you might get lucky by redressing/cleaning it.
Jan 11, 2008 at 5:57 PM
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PHENIUS
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I guess I'll try that then. Told buddy at CT to load test it, but you can't rely on those guys.

I mean, the starter is pretty direct so it's gotta be either the battery or the starter.
Jan 11, 2008 at 10:34 PM
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