Slow starting
 

How do I know if my starter is bad? The car will usually start up 80% of the time on the first turn of the key...every now and then it just clicks and I have to do it a few times, but now my problem is this: When I start the car, it used to start up immediately...it's a sluggish start up and just seems like it's not getting enough voltage... Would my battery be the culprit or should I get a new starter? I'm puzzled...the more I try to start the car, the more it is sluggish...I'm worried one day that it won't start:confused:

Matt,
Hook up some jumper cables to it, and see if it makes it better, if it does, I'd say you probably need a new battery, but have the alt checked before you buy one, most parts places can check the alt for you while it's in the car.

Of cousre check and clean the battery cables, could just be a bad connection

Bring it to an auto shop with free diagnostics and have them check everything. You can also check it if you have a volt meter. The battery should be 11-12 volts before start up and 13-14 volts once started (estimate).

A guy at work told me to hook up to a good battery with jumper cables..if it starts up fine...I would also agree then that it's the battery. It's good to get two of the same answers.

Dannmarr, are you saying test battery when car is running for the 13-14 volts or just immediately during startup?

I would assume the alternator is fine...I do not observe any dimming lights and the car runs great once it's started.

Hey here's another question..my one visor light is out when I open the flap...I never use them, but is there a way to unplug them? Could it be possible the light is remaining on and causing a slow electrical drain that I'm not seeing??
Just a thought

Yes, and Yes..
You can remove the visor, and unplug the pigtail, then re-install the visor, 2 phillips head screws, and a couple minutes of your time.

Ok, thanks Huck...I will do this tonight....I had a feeling this part would be simple :)

Can also be the ignition switch and/or the neutral safety switch not allowing sufficient power to pass through.

Yeah I'm not worried about the clicking at this point...
Where is the ignition switch and neutral safety switch and are they easy to test?

Yes the voltage should read about 13-14 when the car is in motion. Buy a volt meter that plugs into the cigarette lighter socket so you can observe the voltage. The easy fix; Put it in neutral and try starting it. If this works every time you have the problem starting, then it's the neutral/inhibitor switch. Do a search on starter relay bypass installation. Good luck!

ok I first attached jumper cables to my new truck battery...didn't work...still a slow start.... next I put car in neutral to start and it started slow again...almost didn't start actually.

What was weird though was that after I put the hood down and put car back in park to call it a night, I figured I'd move the car on more time. I started it up and it started immediately with a 'good' start....
So this is making me think it's the starter.... Would it be best to replace the starter? I don't think I can do that bypass relay mod..lt sounds too confusing to be honest.

Any thoughts?

I think you should be carful assuming it is the starter the best thing is to slide the soliniod wire off slightly at the starter so you can get a reading on the voltage getting to the solanoid if it is down below 11 v even may be as low as 8-9v your problem is some where else in the system. Your last post makes me think you have the same problem as Ikke had with the netural/park switch on the side of the transmission.
If you measure the voltage at the solanoid and it is low then move the gear shift when you try to start the car and see if it suddenly starts easier. It seems the switches on the side of the transmission fail over time.
Tony

Well, you could take it off, and take it to a local rebuild shop, that does starters and alternators, and have them check it out, and rebuild it if it needs it....should be cheaper than going to a parts place, and if it's a reputable place, should be a better job.

How hard is it to remove it? Anything I should remove...hoses, etc. to get to the starter...it's a PITA to get to right? I think its located down under the brake booster near the firewall. I know the dealership will charge a pretty penny, so I would rather have it checked and rebuilt if I need to.