i just want to make sure before i waste a big pile of money replacing it, so heres what i got:

last 2 weeks, car took longer to start than usual, one time i had to roll start it.

3 days ago: car wont start. at first sounds like its trying to crank, but really slowly, and wont turn over. after a couple tries like this, it wont crank at all, just like what would happen if i didnt push the clutch in.

i had the battery checked at sears, they tested it twice and said it was fine. they said they tested the alternator too but i didnt actually see them do that.

now: most of the time it wont crank at all. sometimes i can get a really sad, wheezy noise that sounds like its trying to crank but cant. when i turn the key to start, i can hear clicking coming from some relays next to the fuse box. its possible i can only hear this because i have the dash apart to put my new gauge bulbs in (this is a pain in the ass, btw). these relays are usually behind the panel

could this be caused by a blown fuse or a short or something like that? oh i have a 91 G20 w/ 86K.

To tell for sure, put a voltmeter across the battery terminals while someone is cranking your car over.

The voltage should not dip below 10V. If so, your battery is toast.

But, given all you said, it sound like your battery or cables are bad.

the car wont crank at all, but the accessories still work fine. thats why im thinking its probably not the battery but something else. whats a good way to test for a short or should i check that the starter is getting power?

When my starter went bad, it gave me some warning. It first started to sound weak. The next day it barely turned over. Then the next time I tried to start it it turned over once or twice very slowley, then that was it. Got a starter from andreas and it starts up great now.

Originally posted by mpg9999
When my starter went bad, it gave me some warning. It first started to sound weak. The next day it barely turned over. Then the next time I tried to start it it turned over once or twice very slowley, then that was it. Got a starter from andreas and it starts up great now.

That is exactly what happen to me, only it was 4 days between slowing down and not starting at all. I would also recommend Jason Garret Young, if Andreas doesn't have any starters in stock.

Josh

i emailed andreas but he hasnt answered and its been 4 days so im guessing he doesnt. ill try him again but if not, whats Jason Young's email? also, can people recomend this guy. ive seen a lot of good things about andreas so im not worried him, but unfortunately people do get scammed here so id like to know of any good or bad experiences.

Mine happen about 2 weeks ago, yes, both of my SE-R.
I crawl underneath the car, jack it up first. Take a hammer, slap the starter, if it cranks up, your Starter buddy!
Mine did not came on, jumps start, bingo, bad battery.
Call Courtesy, its worth it.

yeah i had the battery checked first but sadly its fine. can you reach the starter from above? i dont have a jack. its below the airbox kind of right, about behind the front left wheel right?

You can reach the starter bolts from above. You won't reach the starter unless you can reach underneath the intake manifold from the passenger side or through the transmission on the driver's side. :p

You gotta remove it from underneath.

Are you getting "click, click, click" when you turn the ignition. If so, you need to replace the starter. Mine cost $175 with a core charge. Lifetime warrenty from Kragen.

Q in Sac

yeah i can feel the relays next to the fuse panel click. ill probably end up getting a used one from andreas. he finally wrote me back...