The past few days my car has sounded very weak on start up. The first 2 or 3 cranks sounded weak and slow, then it would start up. It was getting worse, and on monday I was going to take my car into class where I could test my battery. Well looks like I wont be doing that, *** now my car wont start. It cranked over very slowley a few times, then it wont even crank. If I wait a few minutes I can crank it over mabye once, but it wont start, then it wont turn at all. I just got back from testing my battery, and that was fine, so is it the starter? I hope its not. If it is the starter, does anyone have any links to a place that has some good instructions, or some advice on putting a new one in. Thanks.

Check the voltage drop on the cables.

ok. How do I do that.

Ok, I just hooked up this tester/charger and it read like 25%. It charged it up to 100%, but did so in like a minute or so (I dont think its supposed to go that fast). Well I tried to start it, nothing, just the click. The tester went down again right after I tried to start it. Does this mean there is a short somewhere? Like in the starter?

I could swear that it almost sounds like a battery problem. Try to borrow a battery from a friend or something and see it that doesn't help. As far as testing voltages and what not you are going to need to get a voltmeter from the local Radio Shack or something. Good luck and give me a call if you need any help. The number is in the sig line.

Yeah, I thought it was the battery at first too, but now im pretty sure its not. I cleaned off the terminals very well, didnt help. I tried to jump start the car, didnt work. Tried charging the battery, didnt work. Took the battery to NTB, Tester said it was ok. Tommorow I will be buying a new starter and trying to install it, instead of installing my new courtesy midpipe. What could be more fun than that? Oh I know, anyone want to kick me in the face...? What kind of starter would you guys use? or which one's would you aviod? If the oem one isnt to expensive ill buy that.

Dude, I'll bet you money it's the cables! Get a DVOM (or something similar) and measure the voltage drop from the battery post (post! not terminal) to the stud on the starter. Bet you it's pretty significant.

Originally posted by mpg9999
[BWhat kind of starter would you guys use? or which one's would you aviod? If the oem one isnt to expensive ill buy that. [/B]
If it turns out to be the starter or alternator buy one from Andreas. He has tons of them and at a very fair price.

dude i had the same exact problem a you did. and my problem was the starter..... actually it was the three cables that lead to the amplifier, one of them was pulled out, so i went through 3 alternators until i got pissed off and checked all the wiring. Its a bitch!!!

My guess is your battery might not be holding a charge anymore.

To check your battery:

First make sure it's "fully" charged and take a voltage reading w/ a multimeter -- it should read between 12-12.6v. Then, as somebody starts your car w/ all accessories off, take a voltage reading. If it drops below 12v, then your battery is bad.

To check your alternator:

Get your car started (get it jumped if you have to), make sure all accessories are off, and check the voltage on your battery. Make sure it reads > 12.6v. If it does, then your alternator is ok.

Michael.