I installed my new(to me) tstat housing which seemed to fix my coolant problem, but I encountered a problem that I am troubled by.

When I tried to start it, the engine cranked for about 1/2 second then stopped. Several tries later with the same results. You could hear the starter try and it seemed as if something was locking up. I turned the engine over by hand and all was fine. Thinking my battery gave up I went to hook up the charger, tried again and same thing.

After hand turning the engine backwards it began working. Started fine after that, except for one time when it slowed down in mid crank but sped up again.

Any ideas? I did not check cranking volts, forgot to because it began working, but batt volts are 12.

Are starters an issue on these? Keep in mind it only has 5900 miles.

 

Shouldn't be with that kinda of mileage , only 12 volts ?? ...should be like 12.9 if
that battery is super healthy which to get one of these started is how it always has
to be. I'd start there also check your R/R when you have it running and make sure
it's not "roasting" and cooking the battery electrolyte off too. If the battery is getting
slowly cooked (boiled off by the R/R) your R/R may need changing along with the now
cooked battery at the SAME time.

Ask me how I know this ! ........ my 1990 had these two issues in unison !

One last thing check the R/R harness and related plugs back to the motor for
corroded and burned up connectors

Hopefully it's just a weak battery.... don't think the tatar sauce had anything to do with it
but then again until you measure output ....it'll remain a ?

 

Static battery voltage is 12v + (my digital VOM doesn't read 1/10 of volts), cranking voltage is 9v + and charging voltage is 13v +, so I think I'm good there.

I went on a 60 mile cruise and had no issues with the starter, so I'll just have to take a wait and see.....

 

13 is good charging .......must be them gremlins

 

I had a problem with the starter switch after a ride in a light rain shower , did the same thing as what you described , but after it did it a second time I replaced the switch , and even after a good soaking a couple of times since ,, no more problem . Water / moisture somehow got into the housing and melted the inner contacts .