Sluggish when starting

[CaptB]

My Mutt has now been running great for two months an used nearly every day. Read somewhere that when starting it was a good idea to turn over the starter a few times with the ignition off before switching on the ignition, can only assume that this was to pump fuel into the carb before ignition. Anyway I started to do this and it seemed to work ok, however i have noticed recently when I turn over with the ignition off no problem, when I turn on the ignition the starter seems to struggle to turn over the engine. The battery voltage seems ok any ideas

[Hambone]

How is your timing?

[rickf]

Either timing or the batteries are going bad. When was the last time you checked the water level in the batteries? (if they are serviceable). Turning it over with the switch off will only serve to flood it but if you have weak batteries it can help to get it turning by not having the spark fighting the starter.

[Surveyor]

I believe the turn over with ignition off was a suggestion by TJ for straights or a1's with an electric fuel pump. It was to get the oil pumping and pressure built up somewhat before turning the ignition on. Especially for vehicles like mine that currently only get started once per week or less. Ignition on, full choke, and gas to the floor after a couple rev's with the ignition off and it starts up every time.

[muttguru]

CaptB..... it's always a good idea to hold down the clutch pedal with your left foot when you start the vehicle. Doing it that way means that the gears in the power train don't have to turn over in cold, thick oil.

The early M151 had a bracket attached to the clutch pedal which actually engaged the starter button when depressed. Unless you still have that bracket (which I doubt), then you'll need to do it with your 'clutch-foot'.
Ken

[m3a1]

Hey, let's check those grounds and electrical contacts from time to time, people. These are old vehicles that haven't seen a lot of real military maintenance in quite a while and to be fair, the military had these when they were new, so if you are the entire maintenance team and you're keeping yours going all by yourself, pat yourself on the back. Things will happen.

Along with the obvious culprits already mentioned, you may just have a starter switch that is corroded (yeah, that push-button thingy on the floor). It's just a simple wedge on a spring that you're depressing between two contacts. Not only can those bits get corroded, if the spring gets weak or the button isn't springing back up crisply because it's filled with junk, some arcing can take place and burned contacts mean less conductivity, less conductivity can mean low voltage, which can result in...sluggish starting.

Cheers,
TJ

P.S. You really have no problems until you have something at least as big as a half track. The saga continues around here....

[CaptB]

Thanks guys, the timing is ok and the starter switch is also ok so looks like its time for some new batteries I will update when I have fitted them.

[acudanut]

Cajon friend, " Especially for vehicles like mine that currently only get started once per week or less." I think you mean once a year . lol

[Surveyor]

Pretty religious about firing it up every Friday afternoon but you are right, my ocd tendencies and this project's timeframe don't like each other. Higher Power decided I needed a lesson in patience I guess.

[Cobra5]

Load test each of your batteries if you think the starter is turning too slow. Just because they have ok voltage doesn't mean they are good.