slow cranking

[mcstein]

Is there any other reason why a diesel mk1 would crank slow on start up other than a bad battery? My battery shows 12 volts when nothing is on. When I turn the key on to check volts at the starter and stop solenoid it's at 10v. I'm pretty sure it's a bad battery but I won't be home for a couple days to switch 1 out. Anything else that might cause it to crank slow?

[82vdub]

Your battery should have 12.7V on it when it's not being charged (by some means). That's for full 100% charge. Take the battery somewhere and have them load test it. It may be weak.

Other problems that can cause poor cranking:
- bad cables
- bad electrical cable connections
- bad solenoid
- bad starter
- worn starter bushing in the transmission

[Una]

Yeah, if the battery dips below 12v anytime other than cranking, it's at the very least fully discharged.