2G Slow to crank almost nothing at times

K_81_K · Sep 9, 2019

Some body help me out here, I’m really scratching my head in this one...

2g eclipse

When I go to start the car sometimes cranks perfectly and a lot of the time not!
It’ll turn so slow at times it’s as if the battery is stone dead
Usually simply let off the key and try again and it'll start but turn slow non the less
Sometimes I really lucky and it fires right up without hesitation
Please note no matter how it starts it runs great and has no drivability issues at all

Run a test wire to the starter solenoid signal (direct to power T under hood) starts perfectly fine every time! (Also note that T is where my starter power wire is hooked to)

Replaced ignition switch with no change
Took turbo timer out (hks) with no change
Bypassed starter relay (pinning connector) with no change
Clipped and put new connector on starter signal wire with no change
Disconnected clutch position switch with no change

7 bolt motor in excellent running order
Brand new alt
Brand new starter (replaced twice thinking first was a dud)
Brand new batt (load tested and holding great charge)
Brand new ignition switch
Brand new batt wiring (2 gauge)

And again incase it was missed key on or off it cranks perfectly every single time if I direct feed the starter solenoid
So
Battery is not the issue
Starter is not the issue
Safety switch is not the issue
Ignition switch is not the issue
Starter relay is not the issue
Turbo timer is not the issue
Etc...

ANY THOUGHTS????
Thanks

BLACK'98DSM · Sep 9, 2019

Well, I'd say it almost has to be the wires...

K_81_K · Sep 9, 2019

BLACK'98DSM said:
Well, I'd say it almost has to be the wires...

Which wires do you refer to?
The signal wire from the ignition switch is the only wire I could think of being a possibility???

BLACK'98DSM · Sep 9, 2019

K_81_K said:
Which wires do you refer to?
The signal wire from the ignition switch is the only wire I could think of being a possibility???

Check the wires going from your battery and the ones that go to your starter. Check for corrosion, damaged insulation, grounds, etc. etc.

Mham2k · Sep 9, 2019

I had a burned out section of wire under my dash (take the steering wheel plastic around the column and ignition switch) that caused that to happen to me, it is the largest wire under there.

After i fixed it it worked well for about 2 months then it came back but not as bad, I know the problem just moved from that burned out wire and burned out something else down the line.

Its definitely in your wires, I tried all of that stuff you did including bypassing fuses and all.

Put someone in the car and have them crank it while you test sections of wire with a multimeter, it probably will be in a spot where wires are split and spliced.

If voltage at the battery is 10 and voltage at the wire is 5 trace it back until the wire voltage matches the battery voltage and you will find your issue.

K_81_K · Sep 9, 2019

Mham2k said:
I had a burned out section of wire under my dash (take the steering wheel plastic around the column and ignition switch) that caused that to happen to me, it is the largest wire under there.

After i fixed it it worked well for about 2 months then it came back but not as bad, I know the problem just moved from that burned out wire and burned out something else down the line.

Its definitely in your wires, I tried all of that stuff you did including bypassing fuses and all.

Put someone in the car and have them crank it while you test sections of wire with a multimeter, it probably will be in a spot where wires are split and spliced.

If voltage at the battery is 10 and voltage at the wire is 5 trace it back until the wire voltage matches the battery voltage and you will find your issue.

Sound good thanks
I beleive it’s the blue w/red stripe that feeds the starter signal
It should run from the ignition switch to the relay then from the relay to the starter solenoid correct?

ThunderChild · Sep 9, 2019

Sounds like a ground issue to me. Make sure the terminals are clean, and you have the battery negative ground wires going to the starter bolt on the bell-housing and the firewall with clean connections.

The signal wire is a good mention, and it could be it, but the circumstances don't seem consistent.

K_81_K · Sep 9, 2019

ThunderChild said:
Sounds like a ground issue to me. Make sure the terminals are clean, and you have the battery negative ground wires going to the starter bolt on the bell-housing and the firewall with clean connections.

The signal wire is a good mention, and it could be it, but the circumstances don't seem consistent.

I forgot to mention I’ve been over the grounds also even re did the bellhousing one to make sure
Also added a few to see if any improvements but none

I think it’s leading back to to signal wire not sending enough current

I’ll go over that wire tomorrow and update

Thanks for everyone’s thoughts so far!

gstkillinitchris · Sep 9, 2019

Have you checked fuel pressure? I know if you have a bad afpr then you can have intermittent fuel pressure. If you have an afpr that is.

K_81_K · Sep 10, 2019

Status Update

Tested voltage from ignition to starter relay
Showed a strong 12.6v (Blue w/red)

Tested Voltage from relay to starter showed 12.6v at connector (after relay side) and 11.2v at starter signal end

De pinned relay connector and ran a new wire from relay to starter....

Problem solved!
Starts like a champ again

Thanks everyone for helping me brainstorm this one
Much appreciated!

DSM Dav · Jun 16, 2020

Thanks, I needed this

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2G Slow to crank almost nothing at times

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