Weird Ignition

[TeryT]

Yesterday I noticed my 03 was starting just a little slow. The battery isn't the issue, as it's fairly new and I test it regularly (voltage & spec. grav.). Today I went to start it up, but it just clicked fast several times and didn't start. So after doing this several times I thought to just hold the key all the way over. Then it started to turn over slow, then fired up.

After driving around for 20 minutes I came back home and turned it off. When I went to start it again, it fired up normally (just turning the key enough for the automatic ignition to engage). It started several times like this, and I couldn't reproduce the earlier issue.

Any ideas? Could the automatic ignition (relay?) be going out?

 

[galactic_04]

I'd check the grounds on the starter before jumping to that conclusion. Get a 10,12, and 14mm and start checking the grounds on the engine and especially the starter connections... shouldn't be too hard.

 

[TeryT]

I'd check the grounds on the starter before jumping to that conclusion. Get a 10,12, and 14mm and start checking the grounds on the engine and especially the starter connections... shouldn't be too hard.

Thanks. I'll look at that. This morning it was back to clicking when I held the key all the way over, and the automatic ignition wasn't working. Eventually it fired off. After it warmed up a bit it started normally. So I get what yer saying about a possible ground problem - which the temperature change may make a difference (that is, when it warms up).

I just keep imagining some ridiculous circuit board problem which equals an expensive dealer visit . . .

In any any case, I am thankful for everything I have, and all these things are really just minor bumps in the big scheme of things! :driving:

 

[TeryT]

BUMP - No other ideas?

 

[Arcking]

I second checking the grounding - I had a similar problem with an Explorer that checking (/beating) the grounds on the starter resolved.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Grounds first before dropping a dime on anything IMHO...

 

[MikesToy]

What battery do you have?

 

[TeryT]

Well genius master mechanic that I am - I couldn't even find the frigin starter! Then I found on here where it is located on top of the engine, underneath the intake manifold! So I suppose that means to get to it I have to take the intake manifold off, which also means a set of gaskets - right? :moping:

 

[TeryT]

What battery do you have?

Woo hoo! Thanks for asking! I meant to checck it last night but got distracted. I thought for sure it wasn't the problem because I had just tested it a few weeks ago, but today discovered that it's dropped a cell (via specific gravity test). It's a WalMart brand about almost 24 months old - but it has a 3 yearr free replacement!!!

Thanks again!!!!:thanks:arty:

 

[MikesToy]

Well if WalMart gives you a free battery, is the new WalMart battery gonna have another 3 yrs warranty? If so, then you'd prolly get free batteries from WalMart for life. :lmao:

 

[TeryT]

Well if WalMart gives you a free battery, is the new WalMart battery gonna have another 3 yrs warranty? If so, then you'd prolly get free batteries from WalMart for life. :lmao:

Yup! Go figure - I just replaced a 2 yr. Walmart batter in my wife's car that went 5 years. This is very unusual in the Phoenix area as batteries are know for going 2-3 years tops, as the heat just kills them. So yes, I buy the 3 year batteries and if they fail B4 three years - freebie!

I actually don't know which is better . . . getting a free battery every few years, vs. not messing with it as often. (But I have to admit I spent a lot of extra time testing that battery in the wife's car, because I was paranoid it was gonna fail any day now after around 3.5 years!!!)

Anyhoo, once again, I didn't check & eliminate the simplest thing first (i.e., battery). I often tend to think it's gonna be something more involved . . . life will be much simpler when I learn this lesson!!!:thumb3:

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Anyhoo, once again, I didn't check & eliminate the simplest thing first (i.e., battery). I often tend to think it's gonna be something more involved . . . life will be much simpler when I learn this lesson!!!:thumb3:

Analysis paralysis... I have no idea what you are talking about :lmao:



Glad it's fixed:cheers:

 

[MikesToy]

Yup! Go figure. So yes, I buy the 3 year batteries and if they fail B4 three years - freebie!

I actually don't know which is better . . . getting a free battery every few years, vs. not messing with it as often.

You can't beat free batteries for life.
:guitar3:

 

[TeryT]

KISS Principle not always followed!

Thanks again for the prompting on here to check the battery (AKA KISS principle) before I wound up going through a bunch more stuff!

For instance: Last month I changed the radiator on my wife's Altima. Easy job. Then I decided to clean and hose off her engine. I'd done this before with no issue. But afterward the thing was missing a little. I thought it had some water somewhere in the electrical distribution, but after a day of messing with it and conceiving of all sorts of problems, I took it to my local garage. They only charged me a $35 "Stupid Tax" for diagnosing some water in a spark plug boot!
:redbrick:

Oh, so if you ever loose a cell in your battery, you may find the automatic ignition doesn't work . . .

 

[00328]

I guess the point is a little moot now. But, wouldn't corrosion on the battery terminals be one of the first things to check?

 

[TeryT]

I guess the point is a little moot now. But, wouldn't corrosion on the battery terminals be one of the first things to check?

Yeah, now that I knew as I had just done the terminals when I checked tha battery a couple weeks back.