Okay, starter went bad on my 85 Laser, so I replaced it. Now the engine turns over really slow before it finally fires, if it will fire at all. Didn't have any problems cranking before replacing the starter. The battery is good (even checked a new battery and still cranks slow), it's the correct starter. I thought the cable connections at the battery were a bit gunked for my liking, so I went ahead and changed cable ends. Still slow cranking. I had to push start it when the starter puked, so I thought maybe the timing belt jumped, so I checked timing- timing is still on the money. Next thought is the cables themselves, only problem is I can't find the correct cables for this car. That's the problem with having a 23 year old car... Anybody have any other ideas? I don't want to spend any more than I have too, since it's getting parked and torn down for a resto/exline mod project in 6 months or so...

 

I would check the voltage across the battery posts with a meter. I know you said, you tried another battery, I don't care, I would still take a voltage reading,(OC) open circuit, the key and everything turned off. Generic specs says the reading on a fully charged battery should be around 12.6 volts, a few tenths either way shouldn't matter. You can also take a reading across the battery posts while the vehicle is cranking, have a helper crank it. The reading shouldn't drop below 9 volts, some info says it shouldn't drop below 10 volts. You can do the same test at the B+ terminal on the starter solenoid, positive battery cable, to make sure there isn't any voltage drop. If you crawl under the vehicle, make sure it is safely supported so it doesn't fall on you.

As far as replacing the battery cables, a lot of places sell bulk cables, you tell them, what size cable and how long. If you don't know what size, take the old cable to the store, show them. They might be able to find a ready made cable that will work.Yes, if you purchase bulk cable,you will have to put new cable ends on it. I won't tell you what cable ends to use or how to install the ends, there is a safety issue.

There could be an internal engine issue that makes the engine hard to turn over. Can you turn the crankshaft by hand?

 

Already tested and checked all that, but thanks for the input. Engine turns freely by hand, voltage drops are minimal (less than half a volt), battery voltage is good (over 12.5V), cranking voltage is 10.6, and CCA is above whats posted on the battery. What gets me is it started the slow cranking AFTER I put the new starter in. Makes me think there is an issue with the new starter...