Howdy all,

The starter in my Trail Trooper seems to be spinning over really slowly, like 3 rpm <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" /> Needless to say this isn't enough to start it. It doesn't sound like its grinding or anything, and the battery is fully charged. I cleaned up the battery end of the cable that goes to the starter (which was quite corroded) to no avail. Could the cable be internally corroded? I've never had a starter go bad in this manner, plus it just 'happened' one morning. Any advice from the gurus?

Jay <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/mrt.gif" alt="" />

I had a similar problem on my Rodeo. The starter would click click click and sometimes turn slowly. Unfortunately for me the Rodeo starter is nearly impossible to remove with out taking off the exhaust (a pain). After removing everything that was in my way I pulled the starter and tested it. The wiring to the starter was bad. I ran a new 4ga cable and was good to go.

Thanks for the advice, since the starter is turning I think I'll try a new cable first.

Jay <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/mrt.gif" alt="" />

Make sure the battery can pass a load test...even if it reads fully charged that doesn't mean it has any gumption.

Check your ground as well.

Would a bad ground make it turn over slowly? I tried throwing a new pos cable on it but it didn't solve the problem.

On a positive note snow is forecast here which means I can pull out the 7 dwarves (my snowmobiles), so the trail trooper might be sitting in the snowbank until april.

Jay <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/mrt.gif" alt="" />

Either cable or both could cause the problem.

Where you at in Wisconsin? I'm near madison; suppossed to get 4-6 inches or so.
As for your starter issue, the groung cable could be the problem, but I agree with BigSwede that you should have your battery load tested. Have you tried jumping it yet?
One other thing. What is the exact voltage of your battery. Sometimes when they start to go voltage is near 13v, but when you load test it, it falls flat on its face. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" />

Morning all,

I'm in Northern WI, near superior. We are expecting about 6 inches as well.

As far as the battery - I tried jumping it to no avail, then tested it with the multi. 14.4V, small drop under load. I'm pretty sure the old starter is bad. My ground wire is kind of Hoopty, so I will probably try that as well. (no loss replacing these battery cables, they were pretty crusty) WHen I cranked it the last time the starter sounded a bit whiny. Also, when I put the batery cabls on it appeared to be drawing quite a bit (lil arc) even though the key was off. So, I'm thinking pulling the starter is my next step. Looks like a not-too-fun job.

In all actuality the trail troop will probably end up in the aforementioned snowbank until april. Once the snow flies here its going to stick around for awhile.

thanks,

Jay <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/mrt.gif" alt="" />

Snowing good here, 4" so far and another 4" expected today.

I would take the battery in to one of the major auto parts stores, they usually have the automated load testers that will tell you if the battery is hacking it or not. It's free and easy, and who knows, maybe with just a new battery you can get the rig out to play in the snow...