Weird electrical problems after starter replacement

[Nico]

Car would click after long drives and not start. Local Indy said it was starter. Starter replaced, starts up now, but I noticed that the car cranks so sluggish with new starter. When I start the car, the dsc light goes on and it seems like it cranks like it has a low battery. It doesn’t have a strong crank, even after a long drive. My alternator was replaced two years ago.

I started noticing other weird problems, my stereo intermittently goes out and makes popping noises even when it’s off. Yesterday when I was driving home from work the battery light was flashing on and off really quickly, along with random lights popping on and off, DSC, brake light, etc. the car didn’t die on me. It’s just a little frustrating after I just spent $ on a starter replacement and now this happens right after.

when replacing a starter, is it possible that they screwed something up that’s causing this? Because the car fired right up before the starter replacement, none of this has ever happened. Right after the starter replacement I get sluggish start ups, which makes zero sense.

[uberchris]

Have you tested the alternator and battery? I've had rebuilt alternators that failed in about that timeframe.

[Nico]

Have you tested the alternator and battery? I've had rebuilt alternators that failed in about that timeframe.

Will have to see. Can a low battery even cause the battery light on the dash to go crazy or only alternators cause that?

I should’ve also mentioned, there’s occasionally a burning smell (like burnt rubber) coming from near the manifold after a long drive. Just weird.

[jet_dogg]

First question to always ask is if the replacement part is oem.

[robgill]

A bad ground can cause weird electrical issues. I would check the ground in the starter and the ground connection in the battery.

[FBloggs]

Look for:
1,Loose connection at the starter.
2, loose 12v connection at the jump stud in the engine bay.
3, Failing ignition switch.
Any codes?

[sapote]

Have you tested the alternator and battery?

Agreed.
OP: use voltmeter and measure battery directly on the posts before and during engine running. Should be above 12.6V and close to 14v

[Nico]

Agreed.
OP: use voltmeter and measure battery directly on the posts before and during engine running. Should be above 12.6V and close to 14v

Will the cluster be accurate enough? I don’t have a voltmeter.

Also, would a dying battery cause the battery light on dash to flicker on and off randomly?

[sapote]

Will the cluster be accurate enough? I don’t have a voltmeter.

Also, would a dying battery cause the battery light on dash to flicker on and off randomly?

Not accurate enough with the hidden display method.
I don't think a dying battery would cause the light to be on or flickering, but since all things depend on good stable supply voltage to function, with so low battery voltage the electronic chips can be unpredictable.

[FBloggs]

Will the cluster be accurate enough? I don’t have a voltmeter.

Also, would a dying battery cause the battery light on dash to flicker on and off randomly?

That could be a symptom of worn brushes in the voltage regulator.

[Kcalhoun27]

Sounds like a bad ground to me. Id check connections before i bought any new parts.

[sapote]

Sounds like a bad ground to me. Id check connections before i bought any new parts.

A bad ground that causing charging issue sure will not allow the starter to crank the engine enough to start it. It has no problem starting so I think engine ground is OK.

[lemoose]

I has the exact same symptoms youre describing in two different instances- most recently, it was parasitic drain. Before that, it was the starter connection - which sounds like may be the culprit here

[Kcalhoun27]

A bad ground that causing charging issue sure will not allow the starter to crank the engine enough to start it. It has no problem starting so I think engine ground is OK.

A bad ground can cause all sorts of issues. It can work one day and be completely dead the next. It can cause a short to ground that drain a battery in no time. It can be just tight enough that it has to heat up before it expands enough to cause an issue. Ive had these problems on cars and airplanes, so im quite certain it could be something of this nature.
Im not saying it has to be, but why wouldnt you check the easiest thing first?

[Nico]

Thanks guys! Hopefully car won’t go crazy on me and shut off while driving to indy.