Constant starting issues

[EZ56]

I have a weird starting issue with my car every morning. Whenever I let my car sit over night, it will take a valiant effort to start it in the morning. It will lightly crank as if no power is being supplied, and then just starts clicking. Sometimes, if i keep attempting to start it like 15 times, it will sound stronger when cranking and decides to start, while other times I have to jump it and it will start right up. On rare occasions, it will start up with a few cranks. Now, if I've driven the car around and let it sit for 5 or so hours, it will start up (most of the time) on key. Other times, i'll shut the car off for literally 2 minutes then go back out and it won't turn over until I give it a few tries. This morning, it had the same problem, cranked it about 15 times and sounded like it barely started up but wouldn't hold. I've never stalled or anything while driving, it's just starting the car that's the issue. Here's some info on the car: The valve cover gaskets are in dire need of change, there is oil in all plug wells. I'm in the process of gathering the gaskets, plugs and wires, and fuel filter. Not sure if any of those would be the issue, but they need to be done anyway. The car is a 94' MTX. Any suggestions, this is beyond frustrating

 

[rubydist]

1. take off the battery connections and clean them well with a wire brush. reinstall.
2. check to ensure all connections to starter solenoid are clean and tight. correct as necessary.

if those make no difference, then
3. measure voltage at battery at night when you shut down the car, in the morning before attempting to start and after attempting to start. battery voltage should be over 12V in each situation.
4. measure battery voltage with car running. voltage should be between 13.5 and 14.5

if you get to that point, report results.

 

[EZ56]

I replaced the stock battery terminals with platinum one's when I bought the car (had them on hand). Here are some results: Tested battery with car off, terminal to terminal with 0 volts and Battery to ground with 0 volts. With car on I tested both again with 0 volts again for both. She started up fine BTW, after sitting for 4 hours. How is this even possible? It's not my volt meter, I tested it on other household electrical systems and it worked fine.

 

[EZ56]

Another update: I did a little curious searching around the other day and found this:
http://s447.photobucket.com/albums/qq197/ejh5069/?action=view&current=IMG_20110524_161837.jpg
That would be a random severed wire. Where does it go? right here:
http://s447.photobucket.com/albums/qq197/ejh5069/?action=view&current=IMG_20110524_161823.jpg
It was the wire that is connected to the negative battery terminal but has another connection. I have no idea where this goes as I am a noob to the SHO electrical system. Could this be a culprit?

 

[lowc]

it look like that first pic may be part of the problem. reconnect that to the neg. on the battery and report back

 

[EZ56]

That wire is connected to the negative terminal, I just have no idea where it runs to?

 

[dcmeigs]

How is this even possible? It's not my volt meter, I tested it on other household electrical systems and it worked fine.

What's the chance that you had your DVM in the AC mode rather that the DC mode? Check your DVM with a known DC source like a flashlight battery or 9 volt radio battery.

 

[lowc]

That wire is connected to the negative terminal, I just have no idea where it runs to?

ok then it should run either to the fender if its the smaller wire, if its the larger wire then it should be ran to one of the starter bolts

 

[EZ56]

Just an update, I figured out the culprit to my problems. Since I was getting 0 volts from the battery, i decided to throw a new one in. When removing the battery, I found that battery acid was all over the battery tray. Upon further inspection i found that the pulley right next to the tray had been rubbing the side of my battery creating a hole in my battery. I don't know who designed the battery to be that close to the pulleys, but they are ********. New battery is in and the car starts up fine every morning now. thanks for the support!

 

[ViPER1313]

Add new motor mounts and / or subframe bushings to the list of things your SHO needs.