STARTER problem!!

[cw67]

I am having low voltage when trying to crank my car. It was working fine and all of sudden it will barely turn over. I have completely new wiring in my 67 Camaro. I have a brand new starter from summit Part#SUM-820323. (protorque) I have a trunk mount battery with solenoid in the trunk. The cable is dead unless starting. I have 13 volts at every point up to the starter with starter disconnected. When the starter is connected it drops to 3.0- 2.7 v while cranking. I don't get it! Could the starter be grounding out inside? Any suggestions? Help



Thanks,
Chris

[minendrews68]

What gauge wire going to the battery? is there possibly a grounding problem?

[cw67]

I'm using 00 cable. Its getting good voltage from the trunk to the starter, when its not hooked up, but when I hook it to the starter the voltage drops to 3.0 volts while cranking. It was working great for a few months then just stopped. The car hadn't seen the road in a while, and probably only started it a few times since the new starter was added. I have good clean grounds everywhere. It just makes me think something is going on in the starter. Thanks for the reply.

[IronChevy]

I have the same starter on my 460 BBC, never had any problem. My ground battery cable goes trough the disconnecter then directly bolted on the engine block, you should try to put a jumper ground cable directly on the starter case, but if you are sure there aren't any voltage drops probably its the starter.

[cw67]

Ok, I tested the starter and it was fine. I did run a 1/0 ground cable to the starter bolt, but it didn't change anything. I put a load tester on the battery and it said it was a weak battery. When I check it with a volt meter, it has 12.5 or so volts, but drops during cranking. I need to buy a better charger for an AGL battery. I have had the optima bat. on a tender for months so I kinda ruled out a weak bat. Can someone tell me what voltage should the starter see when cranking? I'm assuming 12v.

thanks,
Chris