Car won't start sometimes

[Digitalwave]

This started last week when I got up to go to work. I turned the key and absolutely nothing happened. The starter didn't even try to engage. It was like the battery was disconnected. I went back to bed and tried it again ~4 hours later and it started up.

Nothing happened for a few days, until this morning. I drove to work, and when I was done I went to start the car and the same thing happened. Had my mom come pick me up, and came back to the car later in the afternoon and it started again. This time it sounded like the battery was weak... it cranked sort of slowly and then fired up. I checked the voltage of the battery both times this happened and its been at 11-12 volts. I checked the wiring from doing the tranny swap and I had soldered it and its all good still. ECU connections are tight, ICV and AFM connections tight.

Any insights on what to look for? It almost seems like its the battery, but besides those 2 times the car fires up fine every time. I started it after I got home and it started fine as well.

[EverWiser]

Ignition switch going bad would be a good possibility...

[EtaSport]

Just happend to me last night, put a load tester on the battery just to be sure its good. If your bat is in the trunk check power at the block under the hood, if that is good then check the lead on your starter.

Ignition switch could be the problem, thought thats what happend on mine, so I went home to get my new swtich and it didnt fix it. Turns out the connection on the starter was bad.

[Digitalwave]

I think its the battery, I am going to replace it today and see what happens.

[mph]

I would say it sounds like the battery or alternator. Try testing the voltage of the battery while the car is running. It should be around 13-14. If the battery isn't being charged by the alternator as it should be, when you shut the car off and try to start it back up right away and it doesn't, but it'll start later, then your battery is regaining some of the charge it should have.

Try taking the car somewhere and having the battery and alternator tested. Most parts places will do this for free.

[Digitalwave]

The bat does get up to 14v when running, I don't think its the alternator. And you are right, I figured letting it sit for a while was letting the battery get a little charge back.

[arsevader]

battery fer sure.

11-12 volts is way too low. Should be at least 12.4 volts.

James

[mph]

11-12 volts is way too low. Should be at least 12.4 volts.

Thats actually okay. 11-12 volts is fine. 12-13 is ideal, but 11-12 should be okay. But having said that, it depends on the drain the battery is getting upon start up.

Take the car to Autozone or the like and have them do a load test on the battery and alternator while the car is running. You'll know what you need from that.

[Digitalwave]

11-12 volts is way too low. Should be at least 12.4 volts.

Thats actually okay. 11-12 volts is fine. 12-13 is ideal, but 11-12 should be okay. But having said that, it depends on the drain the battery is getting upon start up.

Take the car to Autozone or the like and have them do a load test on the battery and alternator while the car is running. You'll know what you need from that.

I can't start the car so I can't bring it anywhere.

I just bought an Optima Redtop battery and it still won't start, although its getting farther than it was before. Now the starter solenoid clicks but the starter doesn't turn over. I guess the starter is the problem?

[mph]

From what you just said, it seems like the starter.

[Digitalwave]

Well I just tightened down all the connections on the starter and it works fine now. I think it was a combination of the 2 problems. The battery was nearly 5 years old, and it was down a bit on power. The car fires up almost instantly now. The Redtop has a great warrenty so I shouldn't have to worry about the battery for another 4 or 5 years now.

[mph]

Awesome. Glad it all worked out for you.

[enercity]

this is gonna make me sound like an idiot...but where can I get to the starter to tighten up all the connections and such? I don't know exactly where it's located. :D

[Jarvis]

Front of the transmission, driver-side of the car.

[Digitalwave]

Thanks for the help guys (especially mph).