1991 GMC Syclone starting problems

[RetroC10Sport]

Thought I'd get a few opinions here.

Mostly stock 1991 Syclone 4.3 turbo V6, gradually it's been hard to start, won't turn over at all, just *****, *****, ***** then it will start.

New starter, we replaced the wire to the neutral switch which we were told should be the problem from Sy/Ty owners, nada.

The Optima red top is only a couple of years old and the cables look good. Has a 200 amp alternator. BUT, the battery will die almost completely if the key is left on (engine off) for more than 10-15 minutes and that's not normal.

I had him try to start it with the lights on and when the key is on the lights are real dim, they don't completely go out but dim even more when trying to start. Once it starts the lights are full bright.

I'm thinking it's the battery myself. But I thought i'd throw it out here and see what you guys thought.

 

[oneluckypops]

Thought I'd get a few opinions here.

Mostly stock 1991 Syclone 4.3 turbo V6, gradually it's been hard to start, won't turn over at all, just *****, *****, ***** then it will start.

New starter, we replaced the wire to the neutral switch which we were told should be the problem from Sy/Ty owners, nada.

The Optima red top is only a couple of years old and the cables look good. Has a 200 amp alternator. BUT, the battery will die almost completely if the key is left on (engine off) for more than 10-15 minutes and that's not normal.

I had him try to start it with the lights on and when the key is on the lights are real dim, they don't completely go out but dim even more when trying to start. Once it starts the lights are full bright.

I'm thinking it's the battery myself. But I thought i'd throw it out here and see what you guys thought.

it does sound like a dead cell. But the only way to know for sure is to have it load tested. I have always had better luck with the carbon pile load testers.

 

[skysurfer]

Have you tried swapping in a known good battery?

 

[RetroC10Sport]

He's doing that tomorrow.

 

[oneluckypops]

He's doing that tomorrow.

doing what? testing or swapping

 

[RetroC10Sport]

Swapping it out...He has one in his storage unit that is known to be good...

 

[davbell22602]

Sounds like a short circuit but start testing battery then alternator(maybe) then start checking for a short in a circuit somewhere in the wiring.

 

[89Suburban]

Load test the Batt.

 

[bucket]

Yeah, swap the battery. Then try to charge the optima, I guess there's a special charge procedure to rejuvenate them. They are finicky, like the cat of batteries.