[StubzStang]

Hey guys my car has been starting really slow and weak lately. It turns over slow and takes about 10-20sec before it starts.
I've checked the battery( optima red top 1yr old) it reads 12.6 volts and the charging system seems to working according to the gauge on the dash. I also changed the fuel filter and can hear the pump when I turn the key.

The car starts up a little bit better if was just driven but if I park for like an hour I get that really weak start again.

What could this be? Starter maybe? The battery has also died a few times.
How else / what else could I trouble shoot?

[Jetflo]

Originally Posted by StubzStang Hey guys my car has been starting really slow and weak lately. It turns over slow and takes about 10-20sec before it starts. I've checked the battery( optima red top 1yr old) it reads 12.6 volts and the charging system seems to working according to the gauge on the dash. I also changed the fuel filter and can hear the pump when I turn the key. The car starts up a little bit better if was just driven but if I park for like an hour I get that really weak start again. What could this be? Starter maybe? The battery has also died a few times. How else / what else could I trouble shoot?

Deep cycling or "killing" a battery is murder on them. When a battery is discharged too far lead sulfate precipitates and partially shorts the battery plates. Each time the battery is drained this accumulation gets worse.

The result is that the battery holds less charge and discharges with less current and at a lower voltage.

It is certainly possible the cause here is a bad battery. If you can, take the battery to an autoparts store and have them test it.

[StubzStang]

Will bring it in tomorrow. Didn't know the battery could keep working even though it's bad. Thanks

[Green_6er]

when was the last time you changed your plugs? any other symptoms? bad mpg? electronics lights dimming? or just doesn't want to start?

[StubzStang]

Changed the plugs last year, also have msd wires. Mpg seems normal. The headlights do dim when it's turning over, but it starts. It's not started only like twice but started up on the second try.

[Green_6er]

mine started to do that before the alternator went bad. took my battery with it. my want to go and have your alternator checked.

[StubzStang]

I'll bring it in with the battery

[BlueScreaM]

Originally Posted by Green_6er mine started to do that before the alternator went bad. took my battery with it. my want to go and have your alternator checked.

When I read that I thought alternator as well. If the battery is being drained then it would be the alternator. I agree that you should still check the battery. Get an Optima yellow top

[StubzStang]

Well after a night of sitting I hit the battery with a voltmeter and it read about 11.4
Upon cranking the engine the volts dropped down into the 9's.
With the engine running it went back up to 14+ volts.
When I turned off the car the volts began dropping back to 11.
I'm pretty sure it's the battery, what do you guys think?

[8850d]

I'm a battery specialist and yes the battery is bad always remember Any thing under 12 volts is bad right off the top. There are 6 plates in a battery or 6 cylinders on a gel cell and each plate/cylinder is 2 volts actually 2.04-2.06 volts x2 is 12+ volts. When u charge a battery remember you are charging cranking amps NOT volts you can never put volts back in a battery only cranking amps. SECOND the reason it went to 14 volts when running is because when u test a battery when motor running it is not testing battery it is actually testin alternator that's why with a volt meter it will jump up as soon as u touch power and ground should read same at alternator and battery when running . Change that battery it is bad.

[StubzStang]

Originally Posted by 8850d I'm a battery specialist and yes the battery is bad always remember Any thing under 12 volts is bad right off the top. There are 6 plates in a battery or 6 cylinders on a gel cell and each plate/cylinder is 2 volts actually 2.04-2.06 volts x2 is 12+ volts. When u charge a battery remember you are charging cranking amps NOT volts you can never put volts back in a battery only cranking amps. SECOND the reason it went to 14 volts when running is because when u test a battery when motor running it is not testing battery it is actually testin alternator that's why with a volt meter it will jump up as soon as u touch power and ground should read same at alternator and battery when running . Change that battery it is bad.

thats what i figured. alternator good battery bad. going to replace it today reps for all. thanks