Weird Starter Issues

[MDrive]

Ok, I have read all the posts on starters but have yet to find a problem similar to what I have been having.

I have a brand spankin new battery, but the other day, the car would not start. Turning the key I hear the fuel pump, all the other electrical stuff comes on just like normal. However, if the headlamps are on, when I turn the key the go out quickly and completely, everthing else stays on (including fuel pump). I used my battery charger to jump the car and it will push start and run just fine but I noticed that when I simply connect the charger and select 2amps, or 10amps, I get the same reaction (headlights go out, fuel pump runs, no start). However, when I select it to 50amps or 225amps (the jump setting) it starts up without any hesitation.

So, I assume this meant poor connects: Battery connections are perfect, pulled and cleaned all of the connections on the starter solenoid, NO CHANGE IN SYMPTOMS!!

Help, what else do I need to check? I don't think it is the ignition switch because that would not explain the fact that the charger will start the car with 50amps of current, no less. It seems more like a problem between the positive cable to the starter solenoid correct?

Please helpl, this is my only ride and I cannot always park on hills!!

Thanks!

[Early_S_Man]

1. Did you clean the ground strap's connection to the body ... both at the battery, and the body to transaxle location?

2. Did you charge the 'new' battery overnight before attempting to start the car with it?

3. Did you check for corrosion inside the terminal lugs of the positive cable to the starter -- botrh ends?

[MDrive]

1. Did you clean the ground strap's connection to the body ... both at the battery ((YES)), and the body to transaxle location?((GOOD CONNECTION ON TRANSAXLE, BUT DONT KNOW WHERE THIS BRAIDED CABLE CONTACTS THE BODY))

2. Did you charge the 'new' battery overnight before attempting to start the car with it? ((DID NOT THINK I WOULD HAVE TO DO THIS, BUT JUST FOR FUN, I WILL CHECK VOLTAGE FIRST))

3. Did you check for corrosion inside the terminal lugs of the positive cable to the starter -- botrh ends? ((YES))

[Planter91C2]

how old is your car?

what condition are the cables in?

[MDrive]

To answer your questions: it is an 86 and the cables are all in good shape.

So, I gave up last night at midnight with the same problems. I came out this morning armed with a digital multimeter, checked the voltage on the battery (12.44 volts, not very high, but ok). Started right up! Dont't know why it did not do it last night after I cleaned all the contacts, grounds etc., but it starts so I guess I will just have to wait and see.

Side note, wiggled a few things behind the dash and got my oil temp gauge working again, WAHOO!

Next thing that will happen is that this thing will start regenerating parts that fall off!

[Early_S_Man]

Did you charge the battery overnight ... before this miracle happened? The reason I ask is that all secondary batteries are supposed to be charged initially before use, and that usually happens at major stores like Sears, Goodyear, K-Mart, etc. But, with auto batteries now being sold in the ailses of Wal-Mart, K-Mart, etc ... and considering the level of competence of their employees ... it is conceiveable that you could get a brand new battery that was NOT initially charged! If the store installs the battery, then the problem would be detected when your car wouldn't start, but if you bought the battery in a shopping cart, and took it home for installation... the sequence of events that has happened to you could easily transpire ... uh, occur!

[MDrive]

NO, I did not charge it - hence the claims of a miracle! The EMF to start that damn car came from somewhere.....maybe I was so aggravated at the whole mess that I acted like some kind of capacitor and when I touch the car this morning, I charges it up? Seriously, I have no clue (per usual) how this thing fixed itself.

[MDrive]

UGH!! Spoke too soon! The miracle has ended. Started it 5 different times of the course of the day, after the fifth, I drove it for about 20 minutes, it sat for about 1 hour and SAME PROBLEM AGAIN!!

God I hate "now you see me, now you don't" electrical issues. ALL the grounds show very little voltage dropes (I mean mV), the battery seems to be fine, WTH else could it be?!