Hi Craig,

Could be a bad starter, could be a tight engine.

Pull the spark plugs and try turning it by hand to check out the
resistance. If the engine turns freely and doesn't bind up, the problem
is with the starter.

Happy Trails,

Greg Potts
1973/74/79 Westfakia "Bob the Tomato"
1987 Wolfsburg Weekender Hardtop
www.busesofthecorn.com
www.pottsfamily.ca

craig cowan wrote:
> Hey guys. I have an interesting starting "problem" that i'd like to run by
> you.
> When i turn the key, it turns like the battery is completely dead. It will
> turn about half a revolution of the crank and just about stop, and then fire
> right up. It does this every time. The battery is brand new and in good
> shape, but it seems like the engine has a crazy amount of resistance when
> cold. Do these starters actually 'wear out" as in, "it's weak". I know they
> break..... But do they wear out? Is it possible that my start is just living
> at half it's capacity? Or is it more likely to be something else?
>
> I've gone through most of the system and can't seem to figure it out, so i
> figured maybe i'm missing something obvious.....
>
> Thanks again!
> -Craig
> '85GL
>