TR2/3/3A Sluggish cranking on start up?

[karls59tr]

Lately when I try to start up the TR3 the starter is very sluggish. Very slow cranking until it finally fires. The battery has a full charge and posts are clean and tight. I'm going to check the connections at the solenoid and at the starter itself to see if they have come loose. Other the the starter itself feeling it's age what else should I check?

 

[NutmegCT]

What's the battery cranking power? A volt meter may show 12 volts, but that's without any load on the battery.

If the battery has a few years on it, the voltage may be 12 volts, but the "cranking power" itself may be weak. A better test is the voltage *under load*. Example of a battery load tester:

BRIDGELAND 16.75 in. 100A 6/12-Volt Battery Load Tester with Color-Coded Voltage Meter and Copper Plated Clamps 91066 - The Home Depot

BRIDGELAND battery load tester is ideal for checking car batteries. Features a color-coded voltage meter for easy reading. Perfect for testing the discharge capacity of lead-acid batteries and testing

www.homedepot.com

(also check ground straps, and starter lube if needed, and starter speed when all plugs are removed)

 

[bobhustead]

Check and clean all the grounds (body, frame, block and battery). Jump across the solenoid terminals with a screwdriver. If that doesn't diagnose it, first using the vehicle battery, use a pair of jumper cables to connect the starter body (one of the big bolts holding the starter on will do) to the ground post and the other from the power post to the power input stud on the starter. If that doesn't pep the starter up, try the same with a known good battery not installed in the car. These steps will give you the answer.
Bob

 

[Graham H]

Do as Bob said, also after running the starter check the earth leads for heat, if you find they are getting hot they may need replacing or the contacts need cleaning.

Graham

 

[charleyf]

If you do not want to buy a load tester for your battery, you could just drive to a nearby auto parts store and have them check it for free.
Charley

 

[karls59tr]

Actually I have a load tester and charging system and the battery tested out fine. I still have to do the tests Bob suggested. I will post what I find.