Car doesn't start sometimes, not sure if it the starter or something else. Car starts with a jump, but battery tested out good, could be a coincidence. When I turn the key, all that happens is a click, not sure if its from the starter or ignition, but there is a click and the cluster goes dark and comes back on. Could it be a bad ignition solenoid or a bad key? When the car sat for a week it started back up no problem. I also have the strange whirring coming from the navigation, not sure if that could be causing some sort of drain... Probably unrelated. Anyone have any ideas?

 

it could be a worn out neutral safety switch. Sometimes they get dirty and just need a simple cleaning and relubing with dielectric grease to make all the contacts work as they should. I know from a post I had created that this switch enables the starter to be energized so this could lead you on the right route.

 

Could be corrosion some place, battery terminals and the wires inside the clamps etc.

 

Could be battery, cables, neutral safety, ignition switch, but it also most likely is the starter. If it degrades over time(takes more clicks to start it) the starter is probably it. Hope you are handy with wrenches because it is not an easy r and r. Are you around 200k miles?

 

Are you sure?
The cluster never goes dark when the NSS is dead.
I'd check the voltage drop and the current to the the starter using a current probe first.

 

Well the car started up this morning, but not the first try. first it cranked for a second and died, second time it cranked and started right up. battery is at full charge. the car is at 192k

 

Crank and cam sensors first suspects.

Hmmm I kinda forgot the major problems when I posted the above, give us a video with sound to see and hear what is happening.

 

If it's the starter that is causing it, few things you will notice:
1. The starter does not crank as fast as it should. Depending on how long you've had the car, you may not even know how fast the starter should spin, and may think it is all right, when in fact it is spinning too slow.
2. The starter that is failing draws MUCH more current than a healthy one. This results in the battery getting depleted and ruined as a result. Leaving it alone for a few days may actually help the batter re-charge somewhat, as does highway driving. But a few short rides around city will definitely be a problem.
3. Sometimes the car would not start on the first attempt, but does start on the second or third one.

When my starter failed a few months ago, at first it was cranking slower than before, maybe about 50% slower. The battery was getting killed too. Finally, when the starter died, it would not crank at all. Guy from AAA had to connect his truck's battery and the portable one and the starter just barely cranked. When he checked my battery, it was dead, even though the voltage was fine. It didn't have the amps any more. Then I bought a brand new BOSCH battery (those batteries rock!), and the car cranked one more time which was just what I needed to get to my mechanic. No way I am doing the starter job

Had the knock sensors replaced at the same time - OEM is Denso and can be found for $50 only.