Problems with my 83 bronco turning over

[minnbronco]

I really could use some advice. I recently purchased my 1983 bronco a couple of months ago, it has some issues. One of them is starting. I'm not mechanical as I would like to be, working on that. My question is, do I have a starter issue when I go to start my bronco it will only turn over a few times then it stops and just whines. It wont continuely keep turning over. Sometimes it will crank over for a long time and other times just one or two times then stops and whines. It eventually would start and run. Sometimes after it has run for awhile it takes longer for it to start then if it sat for a couple of days. I'm not sure if that is enough information, if not please ask me some questions and I will try to answer them for you. Thanks

 

[Bully Bob]

Hi minn.., Welcome..

Try reading a voltmeter across the bat. prior to start...then read again with key on/eng. running.

Should be a few volts higher while running. (like 12v off 13.9v running)

No change in volt. means alternator is likely weak or failed.

ALSO: Auto parts will do a "load test" & volt. test for you for free if you aren't able to do the above.

Load test will give a clue as to the wellness of the battery.

AND., there could be a starter issue, but, the above will rule out the bat. & alt. as the problem.

Bat. connections at bat., starter., & ground need to be "clean" ..!!

(Most elect. ignitions need full voltage to start veh.)

 

[minnbronco]

Thanks for your instructions. I will work on those things. I hate to ask a stupid question, since I cant my bronco to the auto parts store for testing, only the battery. Is the only test they can perform is to see if the battery is good? They can't do a load test without the battery in the vehicle, can they??? I have to show my ignorance, but would a undersized battery cause some starting issues?

 

[Bully Bob]

"They can't do a load test without the battery in the vehicle, can they?"

YES...

"Is the only test they can perform is to see if the battery is good?"

NO..., with the veh. there., they can test the alternator as stated. And they can check other things depending on the knowledge of the clerk(s)

"would a undersized battery cause some starting issues?"

Prob. not a good idea...especially in winter.

If you have a bat. charger.., charge the bat. "good" (trickle charge overnight) B/4 you have it load tested.

If you take it in "low" they will charge it first....that will take at least an hour.

(water level needs to be correct as well)

HTH

B

 

[Rons beast]

Most auto Parts stores can do alot of tests, but it is best to do some checks yourself before you go.

As Bully said make sure the battery is fully charged, and most important is to check the grounds especially the battery to block. Many a battery and starter as well as alternator have been replaced, only to have the problem persist because of a bad ground. Ford truck are notorious for bad grounds. (The Beast almost left me in a lot during Christmas shopping. Changed the ground cable and all is well.

A bad ground can manafest it'self in other failed component tests, and cause a whole host of head scratching problems.

If the ground looks bad, change it. If it's more than 5 yrs old, change it. If you have any doubt, change it.

I speak from experiance.

Good Luck and let us know what happens.