CLIFF NOTES

1. Up until Sat night the car's starter had the very zippy sound

2. After that, it became really sluggish, starting wasnt as easy as it used to be.

3. Tested Battery and Alternator - TESTED OK

4. Bought a new battery - Car still starts sluggish.

5. It happened just like that, started fine and then an hour later, started slow.

On sat night, I was leaving for a car show and when I started my car, instead of the normal zippy starter sound, it was very sluggish, but still started the car.



I drove the car to the show, then left, went to dinner, and went home. The starter sounded weaker everytime I started it, making me think battery or alt.



When i got home I self tested the alternator and saw it was in the 14v range. I trickle charged the battery and in the morning, it started better than before, yet still sluggish.



I went to Advance and I had my friend test my battery AND my alternator, both tested OK.



However, we tried out another "new" battery, yet same thing, weak starting. I bought the battery because it was a steal for an Optima .



However, this brings the question, is this my starter telling me it is dieing? Or is it something else? The grounds are fine and the connections all around are good.



Thanks for the help

Matt

 

test ur grounds

 

I would check the grounds also, mainly the one on the battery cable itself

 

Main battery ground is corroded.

Change the cable and you're set.

 

I knew the replies would say "check the grounds" but I opened it to say it anyway.

 

I had the same symptoms... The starter would be sluggish and turn over the engine slowly whenever I tried to start the car.

In my case, I found out it was the starter when I went to have the battery and alternator tested. The guy from the shop did a load test and the trouble pointed to the starter... It turned out the starter's brushes were bad and drawing a lot of current from the battery when the car was being started.

I also noticed my clock resetting when I tried starting the car and the occasional 'click' from the starter (without the engine turning over) when trying to start the car.

Hope this helps with your troubleshooting.

 

i think im having the same problem...
starts like..

"chee...chee..chee..chee.cheechee BROOOOOOommmmmmmmmmmmmmm

rather than..

cheecheecheecheeBROOmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmr

also where are the grounds located anyways? heh...

 

well it was indeed the starter!

 

Main ground cable from the neg. battery post to the front of the block. I put a new one on my car to get rid of hesitation, didnt really help.

 

i had a problem when i started my car (car in storage) i usually start it once a week. so anyways, i start it fine but then it starts juddering like crazy, after awhile it goes away i was so freaked out

 

Mine does that to.

chit chit chit chit chit cheee brooooooo....oooo......OOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMM

 

ok so i started removing parts off the engine.. iono if i can pull this off.. but so far the trottle body n intake manifold are off...

iono if i can put it back together tho.. im 18 n i dont have much car exp as a pro... ARG!

dam i need help..

 

i was suprised how easy it was to put it back together. only problem you will have is the coolant bridge... and well the starter.

 

well dont mean to thread jack but heres how far i went =[



just parts laying around...



manifold thingamajigger..





so far im right here...





im at 21 n i cant figure out what where the bolts are.. also the EGR pipe ion ohow to reach that =/

 

is 21 the lower manifold? i cant really read it. i took off the fuel injector rails and you can see all the bolts for the manifold.