Slow cranking

Tiny
SCHOOLOR
  • MEMBER
  • 1969 CADILLAC DEVILLE
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 93,450 MILES
I went to start my car listed above (sedan) and the engine was cranking over very slow and wasn't able to start. The battery was new, was the terminals and wires are new too. I couldn't figure out anything else. I had to replace the solenoid wires but I don't think they are large enough. Would that affect anything?
Tuesday, August 6th, 2019 AT 10:13 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello,

Yes it would. The starter on any vehicle takes a lot of amperage to rotate the engine around to get it started. In fact, they take the largest current draw of any electrical component in any vehicle. The wire gauge is a source of resistance in any electrical circuit. Ohm's law states that if you have a constant of one of the three properties that govern electricity, and in vehicle's you always do (voltage-12 volts/battery voltage) then if one of the other two goes up (resistance in the form of too small gauge wire) the last must down (amperage-electrical flow from battery). So, in layman's terms, the gauge of the wire is too small to allow the needed flow of electricity to reach the starter. Consequences of this could be a burnt out starter, melted insulation/wire itself from battery to starter solenoid, and a possible fire. You should replace the starter solenoid wire with at least OEM gauge or better wiring.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Wednesday, August 7th, 2019 AT 2:45 AM
Tiny
SCHOOLOR
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Well, I have the correct gauge wire to from the battery to the positive side of the solenoid, but I had to use a slightly smaller gauge wire to activate the solenoid but beside that, everything is stock or a little bigger.
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Wednesday, August 7th, 2019 AT 7:20 AM
Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello again,

Okay, so then your vehicle's starter needs to be rebuilt and the armature and brushes need to be cleaned up or replaced. Or the starter motor itself needs to be replaced. Here is a link for you to go to below:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-starter-motor

Please go through the guide and get back to us with what you are able to find out.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Wednesday, August 7th, 2019 AT 7:58 PM
Tiny
SCHOOLOR
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I figured it out, the battery didn't have enough cold cranking amps to turn the motor over fast enough to start. So I got a nice battery and it worked great. I feel I should have checked that first.
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Friday, August 9th, 2019 AT 9:42 PM
Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello again,

It happens. Cadillac's have always, for the most part, had had very large engines that require a lot of cranking amps to get them spinning. We knew for sure that there wasn't enough amps getting to the starter, so I'm glad you fixed the problem. Happy motoring.

PS. It sounds like you have a very nice ride!

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Friday, August 9th, 2019 AT 9:53 PM
Tiny
SCHOOLOR
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thanks you for your help.
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Friday, August 9th, 2019 AT 9:55 PM

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