Starter Cable

[Sir Brixalot]

Brand new strong battery but volts drop below 11 when starting so the must be Resistance somewhere. Before doing starter which was good when I fitted it a few months ago I'd like to renew main battery cable to starter. It would be great if someone could put a link up to a decent starter cable save me buying the wrong thing. Cheers

[multisi]

Check the end of the cable is crimped on tight and not corroded .

[bigherb]

Brand new strong battery but volts drop below 11 when starting so the must be Resistance somewhere. Before doing starter which was good when I fitted it a few months ago I'd like to renew main battery cable to starter. It would be great if someone could put a link up to a decent starter cable save me buying the wrong thing. Cheers

Where are you checking the voltage?
By the very nature of a battery the battery voltage will drop when under load. 11V when cranking an engine is not a problem.

[CovKid]

and starter cable is generally described as battery cable most places

[Sir Brixalot]

Checked the voltage at battery when starting. The starter turns very slowly if the van's been left overnight, afterwards its fine. It was fine during the last cold snap.
When running it's 14v at battery and this morning was 12.44v at battery ignition off, it doesn't drop off much to alternator . Cleaned the crimp and spade for trigger wire on starter but it's not the tightest fit. This problem has been intermittent and every time I think I've fixed the poor starting returns.

[Sir Brixalot]

and starter cable is generally described as battery cable most places

Cheers. Just fitted an extra earth strap direct from starter to original mount and cleaned up the metal. Only changed the old one 18 months ago but it was a bit of a mess already. Starter till seems slow but I need to leave it a few hours. Big back fire took out the pancake - should do this sort of stuff switched over to petrol.

[bigbadbob76]

At the risk of asking a very personal question... Have you checked your bush?
a new bush where the starter spindle sits in the bellhousing worked wonders for my sluggish starter.

[Sir Brixalot]

Thank Bob. It an automatic-they're cleanshaven, no bush.

[Oldiebut goodie]

Must have a Brazilian model then.

[Sir Brixalot]

Hah

[bigbadbob76]

[bigbadbob76]

a new bush where the starter spindle sits in the bellhousing worked wonders for my sluggish starter.

Although eventually my starter motor died and I replaced it with a rebuilt one.
Not had any problems since.
Replacing my starter cable didn't make any noticable differerance but it's still well worth doing.
I had a length of 35mm cable under the bench so sorry I can't help with a supplier.
welding cable is fine for this though as the starter is low duty cycle.

[CovKid]

Just make sure its multi strand. It doesn't make a massive difference to starting but as the output from the alternator uses exactly the same cable, it helps with voltage drop and that equates at the headlights too.

[Mocki]

the cable is 28 plus years old, its time it was replaced, and the short bit from the alternator to the starter is a known issue point with low charge voltage, beef it up.

[CovKid]

Covered this before but Toolstation sell the cable lug ends (cheap) and personally I recommend soldering ends as it helps seal them and reduce future corrosion from salt spray etc, although you can crimp if you prefer that.