87 240 - ignition switch, starter, wiring?

[overgreg]

Hi All,

Short Version at bottom of post...

I think I've spent too much time researching this problem because now I think maybe everything with a wire coming out of it is bad on our 87 240 wagon.
Here's the problem: For several weeks, after a freeway run and then stopping, the car will do nothing on start up until it's cooled 15-20 minutes or so. Turn the key and sometimes there would be a click but nothing else from the starter, more often times just silence. Repeated turning the key would get it to come to life. Car runs great otherwise.

Two days ago, the missus went to drive after the car had been sitting for three hours or so, and got nothing when turning the key. No sound, click or otherwise from under the hood. Repeated many times (30?) and finally it started up and she drove home. The car ran normally, but the fuel and temp gauges were dead and the speedometer was jumping all around the dial. Got it home and in the garage and now when I try it, the starter turns extremely slowly, I mean it may not even be turning, just groaning.

I've thought surely the starter was going bad, but my question is, could a bad starter cause the gauges to go goofy like that. Researching the gauge problem, I've found info to make me suspect the wiring harness from switch to firewall, the ignition switch itself, the engine wiring harness, the battery, poor grounds, on and on (but not the starter). Can anyone put these symptoms together for a likely suspect. I was sure it was the starter, but that gauge issue has never been part of a bad starter that I've ever known of.

Before I replace pricey parts, I'd like some advice on what to maybe go after.

Thanks for any help!

The short version:
Starter groans, and if it turns, it's so slow you can tell.
Gauges dead, speedo jumping all around.
When key is turned to Start, speedo jumps around, all dash lights go out (normal) and shift arrow lights faintly
Key ON, dash lights light up normally, back up lights work, turn signals, headlights etc all work
Used the test lead jumper at firewall to battery, no change in starter sound
Jumped POS battery to terminal 50 on starter, no change in starter
Battery now showing 12.5 volts static, drops to 3.3 when trying to start

[overgreg]

Follow up.

Removed starter and had it tested at local autozone store. Failed test. So I picked up a new starter at a different store. The new one is quite a bit smaller than the one that came off, but is the one listed for most 80's 240 automatics. It mounted right up and I got everything back together. Hit the key and got the same slow groan that I got from the old starter.

Now I'm really confused and frustrated. Old starter was bad, new starter doing the same thing. But on a positive note, now when I hit the key, the speedo stays still on its rest and the shift arrow stays dark. Progress?

Possible new starter is bad out of the box? I'll remove it and have it tested just to be sure.

Somebody help me. This is driving me nuts.

[overgreg]

Job done. It was sort of all of the issues listed in the subject line. I replaced the starter, the ignition switch and a ground wire on the alternator, car seems to be doing fine now, starting up, gauges are normal, and all's well, fingers crossed. Can probably all be traced down to that broken ground wire perhaps, but I do think the ignition switch was a problem as well.