Slow Cranking

So I go to start the vehicle this morning (newly installed ProStart CT-3300). It's below freezing here and it struggles to start. The crank speed doesn't seem as fast as it should be. It tried a few times and then I cancelled it. I went out to start it with the key and she fired right up. It seems to crank faster when using the key.

So did I miss something? I know the vehicle has a second ignition wire, and according to the wiring info on this site, it is identified as ...

Ignition2 - BLACK / YELLOW or BLACK/ Green - Ignition Switch Harness Cold Start Wire

I remember seeing this wire. Should I be somehow tieing into this wire as well? What does "Cold Start Wire" mean?

Sounds like you aren't giving the starter wire enough voltage.  I would think this would be due to a poor 12 volt constatnt wire(s) connection.  Wire gauge too small on primary power connections (12 volt+ supply, and or starter wire).

Read the voltage output of the starter wire with a dmm during a remote start and then compare to a manual start. 

Murph,

I connected the unit to the tach wire (near the coil) and ran the autotach programming. It seemed to pick it up pretty quick.

JKJ,

I connected both power wires from the module (red wires) to the one power wire in my ignition harness. Is this maybe where I'm loosing power? Should I try connecting these to another source? Maybe directly to the battery with a heavy wire?

Thanks JKJ,

The vehicle ignition wiring harness has one fairly heavy wire with constant power. I tied BOTH wires from the starter module into this one wire. The new wires were slightly smaller than the single supply wire.

I'm thinking of disconnecting these two new wires and bringing a new heavy feeder wire from another 12V source - possibly directly from the battery. The installation manual talks about this as a potential "lack of power" solution.

Do you think this might be my problem?

Thanks again.

The 2 constant power wires coming from the module each have fuses in them (I believe they are 30amp). Do I still need to fuse the new feeder? If "YES", what amperage should it be and is it supposed to be 18" from the battery?

Also, what gauge should the feeder wire be (distance from battery approx. 6 to 8 feet).

Thanks again for the help - - I love the internet... ;-)

I would still fuse any wire from the battery.  Yes, place the fuse 18" or closer to the battery.  Depending on the gauge wire you use and the load you plan on carrying on it will be factors in determining the fuse.  But if you are only going to suppliment the remote start unit with this wire then I would fuse it at 30 amps also.

The whole purpose is to make sure that wire will go dead if it shorts. If any part of the wire shorts between the battery and your first fuse there will be nothing to keep it from from catching fire, melting something expensive, or randomly welding things. 

Good luck.

Thanks,

So, any recommendation on wire gauge - - just to make sure I have the power I need?

10 to 12 gauge.  Just make sure it is larger if not as large as the heaviest ignition wiring at the key switch.