Ok, I did a search, but nothing really seemed to fit my exact problem.
So here's the problem. Every once in a while i'll turn the key and the car will be dead at the key(not even try to start), but with the second turn it starts up fine. It has been doing this for a few weeks. Now it will crank hard and then finally catch, then it runs fine. I think it's the starter. Anyone have any ideas? My car is a 95 SE auto 47,xxx miles. Thanks for any help and ideas.
Kevin.

 

I would check the battery condition first.

 

battery is brand new, but i'll check the connections. thanks.
Kevin.

 

a brand new battery doesn't always mean its a good battery. Also check to see if its getting charged up by the alternator too. You can Check the voltage level of the battery in the morning to see if its holding the charge and also, If you do things like play the stereo alot when the engine is off, that can make it harder to start too.

 

I went out and checked it out. The digital readout on my capacitor says its at 12.6 volts and 14.2 when it's started. I don't know if this a good source for a reading, but its all i've got for now.
Kevin.

 

Do you have scurity system with an ignition kill? I had the exact same problem on my old Altima, and it turned out to be some loose wiring in the security system that was causing it.

 

Although it seems to be a common problem on 95's, your problem doesn't sound like the starter.

A bad starter will usually still start but just make a nasty sound for the first second or two.

Plus you car only has 47k on it. Thats pretty amazing for a 7-8 year old car.

I'm tending towards a loose connection somewhere.

Good luck.

 

I'll check the wiring for the security system. Where might that be located? Thanks again.
Kevin.

 

Well I think I figured it out. I started the car and my brother listened to it. He noticed that there was what sounded like an air leak. It was a vaccuum leak from my homemade midpipe. Now it starts fine. Just one thing still bothers me, it will still be "dead at the key" at the first turn of the key. After that everythings fine. Should I be worried about this? Thanks again.
Kevin.

 

Starter solenoid could be shot.

 

Definitely sounds like a starter problem. Your solenoid is about to go. Upon first attempts, it won't catch the full voltage, because there may possibly be something wrong within the conductivity on the path going directly to the starter. Then, it will catch the second time. After putting in my fourth starter (myself, not the dealer) about a month ago, I found out why my starters were failing (I blame the dealer for this, since I paid them three times to install my starters). The solenoid wire from the battery going to the starter was resting on the transmission housing. This, in turn, caused to heat the wire after the car was hot, losing all kinds of conductivity! Over time, this will eventually ruin the solenoid. So, if I were you, I would suggest to maybe check your wiring going to your starter. Just look to see if it's routed in way where it could possibly be safe from heat. Also, it may not be a bad idea to clean all your connections.