Very strange electrical/hot start issues co-mingling, Make sure you say co-mingling like the priest in Harold and Maude. Options

[emerygt350]

So, all was great this year pulling the car out of its winter sleep. In the last few days I have suddenly had some very strange issues that I suspect are connected. My voltage (measured at the battery) while running has dropped a little from 13.9 or so to 13.7. Progressively worse hot starts. The car seems to be only hitting on a couple cylinders at hot start, maybe only 1. Really feels like the coil is starved for juice. Voltage drops below 11 while turning over. If I get the car to catch, it stumbles till the car gets above 500 rpm or so and the it stops stumbling and runs like a champ. Once it's going it runs perfectly, great afr, good temps, plugs look great, gas mileage is right where it should be.

After trying to start it several times the starter solenoid goes to click mode.

What I have done
1 cleaned all grounds and positive leads from the battery and at the starter solenoid.
2 cleaned the contacts in the fuse box
3 replaced the ignition switch (I had been putting this off, sitting on a new switch for over a year)
The old switch appeared fine. Shocking
4. Rebuilt my resister for the CHT (the old hack job was falling apart)
5 brand new battery positive to starter installed last year.
6 brand new body to transmission ground and a double ground from the battery to the car and the engine again done last year



I have done nothing to the car since pulling it out of winter storage. As I said ran great for a few weeks
Still runs great, just the start issue.


I think it's the battery. It's a 5 year old optima 34r. I took it to the flaps and they said it tested fine.

I am using the ford solenoid hack. Jumping the original solenoid directly does nothing. Just clicks when this is happening. Today was far worse than yesterday. Same hot temps today in the afternoon. Morning cold engine starts right up, spins fast. At least it has done that.


What says the hive mind?

I think the battery is pushing crap voltage till the alternator gets its stuff together.

[emerygt350]

Just went out after letting it sit for a couple hours, still click click. Put my battery jumper on it and it started right up. I think that clinches it? 300 dollar battery bill? The optima treated me well for 5 years. Should I try something else?