Alright, i've always used the search function and found answers but this time i came up short. This is a very intermitant problem, but when it happens it leaves me stranded. Whenever i turn the key, the car cranks really slow, if at all. Most times it does start, but this morning the starter just would click once everytime i turned the key. This weekend the car has recieved a new starter and a new optima redtop. Grounds have been checked and are firmly attatched. I don't know what else could cause this. I figure it has to be an electrical problem right?? Any help would be greatly appreciated and my mods are in the sig. Thanks

Brian

 

I am assuming this in for your 93. It's possible the starter relay/fuse is needing to be replaced. Or, you might try the ignition switch (under the dash on top of the column). Faulty, dirty or just plain worn out contacts on the switch might be a good place to start.

 

Fuses are good, ignition switch looks fine. I tried shimming the starter and that didn't seem to have an effect I was told to do a voltage drop test, maybe that might shed some light on things. I'm runnin out of ideas here.....

 

A voltage drop could be possible. It is certainly easy to do.

 

same problem i had, it was the starter solinoid

 

well considering the starter solenoid is attatched to the starter and the car gave me the same problem before and after i changed it, i think i can pretty much rule that one out. since i put the shim in the starter the car has not clicked and failed to start. it's always started, but still is cranking extremely slow. I haven't had a lot of time, but i'm going to try to do a voltage drop test on it tonight. We'll see what happens. Thanks again for your suggestions guys

 

mabe a draw in the system some where... check your altenator and positive cable coming from the battery to the altenator. they can corrode

 

Well the car didn't start again last night. It doesn't like to be shut off and then turned right back on. maybe it's a heat issue? I'm gonna look at it tonight and trace wires there and back. Anybody else ever have this problem??

 

This same issue was happening to the hubby's 94Z w/ 114k miles on it. We replaced the starter. Problem solved. His was getting progressively worse, just like you are describing.

Cheapest place is Advance running around $150. We had a friend at the dealsership though, and got a new one for $161. Slipped on the new one, no more slow starting.

It isn't a battery issue you are having, it's a starter issue.

Good luck!

 

Thats exactly what i had thought. so i did replace the starter about 2 weeks ago and still have the same problem.

 

Ever get this fixed?

Check the wires to your battery. The "one click" is a classic case of a poor connection. This can be due to either worn starter contacts, corrosion on the terminals, or a physically messed up hot wire. A continuity test with a multi-meter won't show this either as it will only happen at high current flows... like when you start the car.

Corrosion or a loose terminal is the likely culprit... typically the connection is there, current starts to flow over a bad connection, it part arcs/heats up and resistance goes through the roof... and voltage disappears.

Make sure the side bat terminals are fully enguaged as well... they can be on a bit without making a good connection and cause this exact issue.