I'm going nuts, so I need some suggestions. I'm having a spuratic problem with my car turning over. There doesn't seem to be any set pattern with it, and I can't figure out what else to check.

I'll get in the car, and go to turn it over, and it chugs, like it's got a dead battery. However, the voltage meter is indicating 12+ volts, plenty enough for the car to turn over. It will refuse to start, so I will sit there for a few minutes, try again, and it'll turn right over.

I've replaced the battery, replaced the battery terminals, checked all connections and the alternator is putting out plenty power. I don't understand where the problem may lie? It's quite frustrating, because I'll get in my car after going to the store, and the stupid thing won't start.

Like I said, it's completely spuratic, sometimes it will work fine, other times, everytime I turn off my car, and try to restart it, I have the problem. My other thought was the starter might be bad, but would it do it so spuratically if that were the culprit?

Thanks...

 

If it starts fine sometimes and not others, I would think the solenoid is going bad. Usually all the components on the starter go bad at about the same time, so you might be better off replacing the whole starter. But if you can't afford a replacement starter yet, a solenoid isn't too expensive (usually about $20). Just replacing the solenoid will probably last for several months before you have to replace the starter.

 

Hmm... I'll have to check into that. It's just weird because it NEVER does it the first time I go to turn the car over. And then after I drive somewhere (say the grocery store), and I go to leave there, it'll just chug. But then I'll wait 5 minutes, and it'll turn right over.

 

That sounds like it may be the typical starter heat soak problem. A weakening solenoid, and weak field coils in the starter can cause that.