Figures at the same time my two of my cars starters are dying.

Car 1: The el camino is turning over really slowly. Battery is charged. I havent checked to see how quick it drains with other electronics on, but when the starter is turning over on the mulitmeter the voltage drops from 12 to about 9.6v.

Car 2 ('96 Chevy S10 4.3): engine turns over a little slower then usual for a second or two then almost stops turning over then goes right back to that slower then usual turning over and fires up. I checked the voltage ~12.6 before starting then down to about 9v when turning over. The battery is charged and holds the charge. With the ignition off and the radio, windshield wipers, headlights etc all on the voltage on the battery does not drop below 12.

What I am looking for I guess is that little piece of technical knowledge that I must have misplaced that reminds me of how much drop there is when you have the multimeter connected to the either of the two poles on the starter how much (amp?) drop is ok between the two poles..

Thanks in advance

-Neil

Neil, I can't remember the voltage drop either, but before you start spending money make sure your connections are good.
Remove both battery cables and clean the terminalsa. Check that the ground is connected to the block and not to some accessory bracket. Remove the ground bolt and clean the threads. Get a couple of internel/external lock washers and put one on each side of the cable lug when reinstalling the ground. Check and clean the cable connection to the starter.
Make sure your battery is up to the task. Put a known good battery in the vehicle and compare the starting action.
Squido