FYI FORD MustangSteve's Ford Mustang Forum / Dragging start condition

**Posted by rtmjr13@optonline.net** 1/10/2019 10:56 AM

Hello all! Happy Holidays and New Year!
68, 289, c4.
When starting, the car sounds like a weak battery condition. Checked the battery, 12 volts. When running, it checks 14. So the battery and alt are good. What coukd cause it to drag like that? Thanx

**Posted by Bullet Bob** 1/10/2019 11:25 AM

Worn out starter....either the brushes or bearings. Also, could have a poor ground connection between the battery and the engine block, loose positive connections at the solenoid or the starter, or dirty battery terminals. If you start messing with any of the positive connections be SURE that you disconnect the negative battery terminal first. Or...maybe even a worn out solenoid that has very pitted contacts inside.

BB

**Posted by Mark Z** 1/10/2019 1:31 PM

load test the battery, not just the voltage

**Posted by Bolted to Floor** 1/10/2019 2:34 PM

Timing to far advanced acts like a battery that’s about dead.

**Posted by MS** 1/10/2019 10:26 PM

Like BTF said...
retard the timing and it will improve.

Of course it COULD be a starter problem, but that is not nearly as likely as too much timing. If you have points ignition, replace them before resetting the timing.

**Posted by Gaba** 1/10/2019 10:58 PM

Mark Z wrote:
load test the battery, not just the voltage

I agree with this !! You need to not just check the voltage of it sitting idle , under load the battery could be dropping way low... (internal resistance , worn out cells etc etc)

Be much easier to check this by taking it to a car shop with a battery load tester . Much easier than changin the starter out

**Posted by ChrisH IA** 1/11/2019 12:04 PM

This happened to me just last week. Started fine on Monday but Thursday (it lives in the shed) it acted as if the battery was dead or a bad connection. Cleaned both battery posts and the battery minder said it was charged. Back in the car--same thing. Okay, I used my finger on the battery terminals and they were cold. Touched the solenoid to battery bolt and YEOUCH. Sanded the washers and nut as they were all rusty and success. Starts as it did Monday. Your knuckle is a good finder of resistance if you don't have an ohmmeter.

**Posted by rtmjr13@optonline.net** 1/14/2019 1:29 AM

Starter was shot. 20 min job-done!
Thanx all!

**Posted by josh-kebob** 1/14/2019 8:24 AM

ding, ding, ding.......winner winner chicken dinner goes to Bullet Bob.........

**Posted by Bullet Bob** 1/14/2019 10:28 AM

See...."Blind Hog" theory does work.

BB