Weak starting???

[korax123]

When I start my car in the mornings now it just seems like it doesn't turn over as hard as it used to.

Like it's strugling sorta sounds like when a battery gets weak. Anyone want to guess what else it could be?

I will prob get new sparkplugs real soon also. and Gap to .45 or .40 cause GM's .50 just seems to big.

[Howsitgoing]

Mine did this sometime ago. Eventually it failed to start. Ended up being a bad starter.

[Sp00ner]

Maybe a bad battery?

[zfactor]

mine does it once in a while not sure why couldnt figure it out why everyhting checked out okay.. i figure it is relative to the way our cars start.... they actually dont have an starter wire like almost all cars do... our cars start by the acces. wire triggering a starting circuit once the key is turned... you can actuall turn the key in the car and you dont have to hold it at all just quickly turn it and let it go the car will start all on its own after that. i measured the resistance across the circuit when it was starting.. and the resistance will likely change as resisitors do depending on hot or cold and voltage etc... this leads me to believe if its not a bad battery as stated it is just that the acces wire is not seeing enough of a voltage drop or the proper resistance. hard to explain unless you have an understanding of electronics...other than this i cant see any other reason for this. i even helped one of the techs while checking another redline with the same problem and neither one of us could figure it out..... and it doesnt do it all the time... correct.. same as my issue..

[Sp00ner]

Ya know, I think I actually know what you're talking about here, now that I think about it. I usually park in the garage, but you're in a lot warmer of a climate, both of you. I do remember a few mornings that the car would be a bit 'sluggish' turning over, but it was COLD. Like 10 or colder. This might just be coincidence to the days that I left it outside though.

[zeebees]

I used to leave my car outside (I live in PA;it's cold) and it started like shit every time. Put it in the garage and no problems starting whatsoever. It just doesn't like the cold.

[zeebees]

Originally Posted by Howsitgoing

Mine did this sometime ago. Eventually it failed to start. Ended up being a bad starter.

That's a different problem, a bum starter sounds like grinding noise when trying to start the car, he's saying it starts but it starts weak. It's because of the cold weather.

[WopOnTour]

Originally Posted by zfactor

mine does it once in a while not sure why couldnt figure it out why everyhting checked out okay.. i figure it is relative to the way our cars start.... they actually dont have an starter wire like almost all cars do... our cars start by the acces. wire triggering a starting circuit once the key is turned... you can actuall turn the key in the car and you dont have to hold it at all just quickly turn it and let it go the car will start all on its own after that. i measured the resistance across the circuit when it was starting.. and the resistance will likely change as resisitors do depending on hot or cold and voltage etc... this leads me to believe if its not a bad battery as stated it is just that the acces wire is not seeing enough of a voltage drop or the proper resistance. hard to explain unless you have an understanding of electronics...other than this i cant see any other reason for this. i even helped one of the techs while checking another redline with the same problem and neither one of us could figure it out..... and it doesnt do it all the time... correct.. same as my issue..

Z, you have obviously been misinformed how the starter is wired in these cars. Not sure what you thought you were measuring but it's got nothing to do with any "acces wire" or whatever. The CRANK contact in the IGN SW is just an input to the BCM, so when it "sees" the input it uses network communications to request the PCM to engage the crank relay. Providing all PassLock security has been resolved AND the PCM is observing the clutch switch input state is "active" the PCM will provide the ground for the crank relay for a preset cranking period (varies) OR until it sees RPM>400.

If cranking RPM is less than normal it's more likely either battery/charging system issues preventing sufficient current OR the starter itself. Well at least these are most likely- less likely would be something physically making the engine hard to turn over like a partially siezed engine, incomplete clutch release, a seized belt-driven accessory, or even "hydro-locking" -when abnormal amounts of some sort of fluid (fuel, oil, water etc) finds it's way into your combustion.

If your engine is cranking slower than normal - it's best to take it in for the dealer to properly diagnose.
HTH
Regards
WopOnTour