Hey all, got a prob. my max (98 gle) has 105k miles, never a problem. last weekend, tried to start it, nothing happened. took battery to test(battery and alternater tested fine), put back in, and she started, but took a couple seconds(slow crank). started slow all week . then this morning same thing, tried to start, and nothing happens(lights, radio still work) . got a ride to work(I was late), got home, and it started right away. 5 minutes later, tried to start, and nothing happened again. Could it be the starter? sorry, i've been reading the forums all week, but found nothing similar.. Thanks in advance

 

Its a bad starter... replace it.

 

same thing happened to me.. i got the battery and the starter checked... they both came out good. i put everthing back in the car and it ran well for a week (other than when i started it i had to give it a little gas) just last night the max just wouldn't start and the starter is rotating really slowly. sometimes doesn't rotate at all. good luck!

 

Starter is going, replace ASAP.

 

well... is it possible that the starter will operate normally during a bench test but crap out once on the car? i only say this because the starter tested out just fine last week. thx for any input.

smokeyone- not trying to jack your thread... it's just that we have similar problems.

 

no prob apbrian. mine does the exact same, starter turns very slowly, giving it gas did help. im going to test the starter today, i'll post the results later.

 

well, i've been looking on the org for about an hour now and i seem to have broken it down to two problems:
-bad starter
-bad ignition switch

 

woohoo... got my max running again! i tested my starter and it was barely putting out any volts or amps or whatevers but i got a new one and put it in and it started up right away! woot! good luck

 

sorry, been away, just wanted to say removed starter, tested fine, put back in, almost 2 weeks ago, starting fine now. Bad connection or dirty battery posts, i guess.

 

I posted this same problem but still little different. Mine has a remote start and it does start no problem but when I use key to sart, it has the same problem. Is it still the starter?

 

Ok, problem is back. Drove to work and back thursday, slow starts, then thursday night wouldn't start again. kept trying all night periodically, got it going about 2am. worked all day friday, till i got home, car sat for a few hours, and now wont start again! Help badly needed! thanks in advance.

 

I have a brand new battery, alternator seems fine...and brand new starter...and I had trouble staring my car, it started up really slow and almost wanted to die out ofter it started from a cold start, also giving it gas helped...cleaned my TB, and replaced my engine coolant temp sensor...and all my problems went away...

 

i dont think its the starter at check your ground with a test light from the starter wires to the neg on you block or the battery

 

I replaced ignition switch and it starts everytime. Try it out. I found how to from forum so check it out.

 

I'll also be replacing my ignition switch today. I also have trouble starting. Ill tell you guys how it goes.

EDIT: Well I just replaced the ignition switch with a new one. Put everything back and tried starting it. It started up on the first turn of the key. Before I would have to crank through the first try, sometimes through the second, and then my car would start and then hesitate a little. Now it fires right up without any hesitation. It took about 10 min to replace.

For anyone having starting issues, by all means look into the ignition switch. It gets overlooked big time. I thought my starter was going to take a crap, but I thought wrong.

Some symptoms I had:
Long cranking when cold
Had to turn key past "on" for it to crank
when started, car would idle at 800 rpm, instead of going to 1500 like it should.

Pic of the switch:

$38 at Carquest, it might be cheaper elsewhere. Hope this helped..!

 

I'm sure its my starter going, started it 4 times yesterday by tapping on starter with pair of pliers, since then started about 7 times normally, no problem. Im going to regrease starter first, see if that helps. Ill probably change ignition switch soon too.