Help a newbie!! Griff 500 start problems!

[mbishton]

Hi, just bought a 1994 Griffith 500 and have found that when its cold it starts no problems but when its hot, the starter cranks very slowly. If i put another battery on it, it will start but this is a pain. I dont think its the battery thats at fault as when its cold it starts up without a problem. The voltmeter shows its charging the battery and its obviously holding charge, as when i leave it to go cold, it starts up! Anyone else come across this before? Wondering if it might be a bad connection somewhere. Also, its runs HOT when in traffic. Gauge goes into the red but if i turn engine off and put onto secondary ignition, it reads about 90c instead of 110c when its running - so can i assume there is some electrical interference to the temp gauge when the engine is running and its "over-reading" the actual temp? Could probably do with a new rad. Any ideas if these are Range Rover ones?

Thanks - any help would be much appreciated!

Matt

[david beer]

My 94 Griff did it, my 99 also did it, only got round to sorting the 99. A new short(heavy guage) cable from the battery neg to the engine block cured mine and since quite a few have also done it.

[david beer]

Matt, i have emailed you but, yes to the connections for the relay.
[e-mail]

[nztrev]

Had the same probs'
If the battery is marginal,and just holding charge,it will start a free engine ok but not a hot one under compression.

[david beer]

Hi nztrev
this is just a slow "crank" and even with a new fully charged battery is a tad slow, it will always start. Adding the short neg/earth/chassis/ will ensure a healthy "crank". I see you are in Aukland, i "moved" there 7 yrs ago, well the money went there and then i had to move back, i will do it, one day. Bay of Islands for me.