First off, Its not my battery.. battery is new and had it checked.. But Car ran fine all day long.. Jump in it to go to the store, shut car off, try to turn back on and it cranked normal then slowed down and then nothing.. This happened in like 5 sec. And only happened once.. Everything still works fine except car not starting, but when i turn the key i just hear 1 little ping in the engine bay.. Slightly noticable.. I figured it was the battery since the tempature dropped to lower 20's tonight.. So is it my starter? Solenoid? Anyone ever have anything happen like this.. thanks for the help

 

happened to me afew months back, i new mine was going tho cuz my engine was turning slow when i cranked it for like a week before it totally died

 

replace the battery. if problem not solved then could be the starter.

 

This just happened to me about a week and a half ago...

I noticed that the engine was kind of slow to start up, and I had no problem getting it to start, until I stopped at a gas station and turned off the car to fill up. She wouldn't start back up, she wouldn't start on a charge from another car, NOTHING. She started once when we popped the clutch, but we weren't able to reproduce it.

Long story short: Changed the battery, (old one needed to be replaced according to battery reader), wouldn't start, had it towed, bought a starter, installed it, and she started up right away. She starts quicker now. The only thing that can be a pain when replacing it is that you can go in through the top, but you have to remove the air filter housing/intake, and have to have some extensions and u-joints for your ratchet set.

Good luck!

 

Replace your starter.

 

remanufactured starter is $117 at NAPA

 

Yup Was the starter.. I guess after 142k miles something had to go wrong.. 1st thing i had to change on this car.. Thanks for the replies..

 

crank very slow, and sometimes a loud knock was the starting symptom...
then one day, no response when i crank, then i know my starter is not gonna make it any longer... so i knock my starter with a harmer while crank it, so i made it home and got a Bosch remanufactured from lordcal cost around $179 + tax

 

Wow man you are luck. i have friends with the same year but less milage and have replaced more than just a starter. is yours a cali spec or a fed spec?

 

It's a fed spec.. Still have the Same maf and still got the non grey dot coils..

 

NEWBIE here w/ quick question to the poster of this question and those who replied with great responses...

I believe i have the same prob except mines has been that way about a month and sometimes it makes a chokig/grinding soun and the head panel lights (if the doors are open) dim and brighten as long as i turn the key in the ignition?

I thought it may be the solenoid ...

 

This week I noticed that my when turning my car on I had to turn the key a second time before car started. Today it wouldn't start. Called roadside. Guy said it wasn't fully in park and to play with it. Car started. Later it wouldn't and had to get it towed. Everything else works, though. I have a 2001 AE with about 85,000 miles. I just don't want to get screwed at mechanic. How can I tell if it is definately starter?

 

You had to play with the gear selector? might be the Nss Switch.. Nuetral safety switch