Thread: Car starting issues

Optima battery has been in for a few years. Car decided to not even attempt to turn over. The night before it struggled to start and then finally didn't this morning. My headlights when turned on aren't dim. Audio system powers the 12" woofer fine. I noticed the terminal connections are somewhat loose. Could it be the issue?

Yes.

Could be a lot of things beyond that: Grounds, alternator, clutch pedal switch, etc. Clean your terminals and battery cables, tighten them down and see if it starts. If not, take your battery in and have it tested. Those are some easy and free first steps. Depending on the report back from your battery test we can go from there.

I have a multi-meter and a load meter so i can do all of it at home . Just hope i don't have to deal with the alty. I hate changing it.

I rather change the alternator then the starter

All you have to do is take off your aftermarket intake and you can do the starter from the top as long as you dont have a v bracket. Its way easier dude.

O.k. I didn't expect that. On a FWD the starter is only accesible from below. I had to do this 6 times or so, both because I've sent my starter for repair, but it still had relay issues and it is no fun with the car on jacks. Especially when I also halfway pulled one of those connectors under the intake, in that rusty metal bracket. Turned out to be repaired but unreliable starter and connection or no connection for the start signal. Two problems at once and bad luck incorporated.

Alternator went a month later, that was a breeze to replace

Do you want to be timed against me or something?lol It is way accessible from above. I've been around for 9 years on the forum(s) and i'm sure many others could vouch for easily removing hte starter from above. I don't even need to see the starter to take it off.

Sure, lol. I'll make sure I'll be last. I'm slow :P