I had my alternator die on me twice in the past 2 years. Everytime it starts up it seems like its taking longer and longer for the engine to crank and get started. Sometimes I have to give it a little gas too.

I just brought it to Kraagen today and they said from their tests that the battery/alternator/starter all seem fine. Is this something I should worry about? It is definitely getting worse. Is it the ignition? Any idea how much that may run to fix?

Or do I just let it go until it dies? Is there even a cost benefit for bringing it to the mechanic early? I do have AAA in case it dies anyway.

Thanks!
Tony

 

Let what go until what dies?

Any codes?

Sometimes a starter will just not start as well when it's older. Or it could be a grounding issue with the starter, running a new ground wire to it can result in quicker startups.

Is it just longer cranking, or is an actual hard start?

 

i have had 2 codes for a while

0304 - knock sensor (which is probably caused by the 1006)
1006 - EVAP canister purge volume control valve

I really don' believe it's code related as 1006 is more of an emissions issue. What do you mean by hard start? I'm not sure what the technical term is, but when I turn the ignition, it just sounds like it wants to go, but you don't get the actual ignition to start up until I wait holding it long enough or I give it some gas.

maybe i can post a video of the sound? would that help?

 

Sure, a video would help.

 

Sorry to jump on this thread but this forum has that crazy rule you can't start you own thread until you respond to 15 of them!? what's up with that?

I am posting this for my neighbor who has a 97 that he just did a clutch on. He cannot start the car with the starter. It cranks but doesn't crank very smoothly.

But the odd thing is if he roll starts the car it starts right up. I'm thinking he has a bad starter that is leaking voltage or something that is screwing up the ignition. The guy at the car part place says it's probably the crank sensor but then if that was the problem, wouldn't it not run at all when you jump start it?

Looking at the schematic for the ignition system the only thing I can think of is the starter or the sensor that senses if you're in gear but if it thinks you're in gear it shouldn't crank.

Any suggestions?

 

Hence why we have the newbie thread (the very first damn sticky at the top of the forum), so newbies don't hijack other's threads.

Had you searched, you would've found many threads on this.

Run a ground wire to the starter, should be problem solved.

 

Read the forum already and did the ground wire thing. That didn't fix it.

 

Post in the newbie thread so as to not hijack this one.

And the things you've already tried are nice to know, so we don't waste our time suggesting things that you've already done. That should be a given.

 

hey so i got around to making a video..sorry the sound is a bit low and the beeping sound is annoying

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...eat=directlink

any ideas?

thanks!

 

I got the same problem on my 99 i thought it was my battery, got it checked at Autozone... battery is good.. i read different things here and there thinking it might be bad grounds.. will try to check them today or tomorrow.. hope thats it... i will keep watching this thread to see if you figured out the issue.. and if i solve mine i will keep you posted as well... good luck

 

my car nearly died so i had to bring it into the shop. they ended up switching out the starter for $250 including labor... i would try and check to see if it is indeed the ground wire to save yourself some money

 

did a new starter fixed your problem? it starts up fine now?

 

yeah it works fine now. i wouldn't switch it unless you get to the point you know it might die soon. if its just a slow start up, i think you should be okay

 

im having an exact if not similiar situation as you.. yesterday i changed my starter and got a new rebuilt starter. once i got it installed. it cranks fine but it wont start..i see the rpm needle go as high as 1k rpm then drops back and repeats. people is telling me to ground wire it. im going to do that today. hopefully thats it.. if not.. im back to step 1 in figuring out the situation