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I'm worried my starter is beginning to go out on my 11-year-old car because it starts very sluggishly. Shouldn't be the battery, because it's relatively new, although it's been horribly cold here as everywhere.
You can take both out and have them tested at your local autoparts store, but there could be a 3rd reason that i'd investigate first and that is poor electrical connections.
But if it's really cold, the oil gets very thick and makes it harder to turn the engine through it's stroke. What i'd do is drive the car around to get it up to temp, stop it, wait 10-15 mins and then try restarting it. It should crank quickly and start up fast. If it doesn't then I'd suspect a poor electrical connection (corroded battery terminals usually), weak battery or dying starter.
I wouldn't rule out the battery being the issue as well just because it's new. I've seen plenty of new batteries fail, which is usually why most come with a 3yr warranty or something similar.
I always thought that when a battery failed (as I recall), there's a "click-click-click" sound rather than a "whirr-whirrr." In other words, the engine doesn't turn over at all. Wrong?
I'm worried my starter is beginning to go out on my 11-year-old car because it starts very sluggishly. Shouldn't be the battery, because it's relatively new, although it's been horribly cold here as everywhere.
Is there a way to tell which it is?
More than likely the battery is not fully charged. If you don't run the motor for several minutes each day, or drive your car for long distances, the battery is not going to be fully charged. The cold temperatures also reduces cranking capacity.
I'll bet that's it! I live in the city center and walk most places, even in the cold; some days I don't even start the car. When I do, I don't go more than a few miles. How long would I have to run it to fully charge it; would just a few minutes do it?
I always thought that when a battery failed (as I recall), there's a "click-click-click" sound rather than a "whirr-whirrr." In other words, the engine doesn't turn over at all. Wrong?
No. All that means is that the battery is discharged below the capacity it needs to energize the starter. Charge the battery fully, and then start the motor. If it now starts fast, that's your answer.
But make sure that all the connections to the battery are tight and that the cable terminals aren't corroded.
Easy (and cheap) way to tell - if you have a garage is to get a $23 Battery Tender. Hook it up overnight and let the battery charge. In the morning, if it has completely charged, disconnect the tender and listen as it starts.
The battery will be full so it should sound "normal", if not it may be the starter.
If it sounds normal, try it the next morning without charging overnight. If it sounds sluggish again, it may be the battery.
Definitely not scientific, but can give you a clue.
Don't have a garage; it's out in the cold day and night. Another indicator that it's probably the seldom-used battery!
But now this has me wondering if I should replace my starter proactively. Are there any warning signs that it's going bad?
Last edited by otterhere; 01-28-2019 at 12:25 PM..
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