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1996 PA hesitation in starter spin


688i
07-22-2012, 11:46 AM
When first turn key there is no sound initially like normal and then starter engages and starts normally. There is no clicking sound like a bad solenoid but a definite hesitation before you hear the starter spin. Had a loose positive cable but made no difference after tightening. Voltage gauge is slow coming up to voltage after starting but does not indicate any charge and settles at 13 volts. Was going to replace solenoid until I looked under car and saw how difficult it might be. Does the engine mount have to be disconnected and the motor jacked up to replace on this year PA? Thanks.

688i
07-25-2012, 07:17 PM
Okay let me elaborate some more and maybe somebody will think of a similar problem they experienced and share the fix. The car starts everytime but the starter doesn't spin until the key is all the way over where it used to start spinning as soon as it begin to turn and it sounds like the battery is weak. However it doesn't charge high when running like it would for a weak battery. Is it possible the battery is failing and doesn't have the same amount of cranking power as it did. It's a good grade battery but is 7 years old. After seeing where the starter and solenoid are I am not going to change them ntil I am sure of the problem. It has been starting like this for a week now but keeps on going.

Jrs3800
07-25-2012, 08:11 PM
I would have the battery load tested... 7 years is a long time for any battery... as well is the Positive terminal clean and free of corrosion?

688i
08-07-2012, 11:46 AM
Battery was bad only producing 333CCA out of 1000CCA. All is good now. Thanks for the feedback.

Jrs3800
08-08-2012, 05:39 PM
Happy to help... 333 amps is not much when turning over a 3800 lol... Glad its fixed..

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