starting problems

[MoonieGT]

My '99 has always felt a little slow to start, but recently there have been 3-5 second pauses before it even starts to turn over. As long as it gets to the turning over stage, it always fires up. This morning it wouldn't start. I ended up pushing it out into the alley (which has a down grade) and was able to push start it. I really don't think it's the battery as it's only a year old. What else should I check? My car does have an aftermarket alarm that was on the car when I bought it. I had an issue once where the car wouldn't start and it was because there was a loose wire in the alarm system. But when that happened I couldn't even push start it (it was disabled by the alarm).

Thoughts?

[motorollow]

Gabkwong had starting issues on his 99 and it turned out to be a short in the fuse box under the hood. Wiggle it and see if you hear it arc.

[MoonieGT]

I'll give that a try tonight. Thanks for the suggestion.

I still have accessory power when it won't start. Just thought I should mention that.

[black roadster]

Wife's MPV had similar problem. Battery was only two years old. ACC worked but occasionally it wouldn't start. No clicks like a dead battery either.

It was a bad battery. Took battery into VatoZone and had it tested. They swapped it out under warranty for free.

[Rob®]

Same here with my truck a few weeks ago. Battery was ~3 years old (going by the dots on the sticker), starting got a little slower and slower as the weeks went on. Then one day it didn't start at all, ACC worked, no dead battery starter clicks. Open the hood and you could hear the battery boiling. I tested it for giggles in the driveway and got 8 volts. Jumped, drove to Autozone, replaced with a newer Autozone battery (not under warranty though ) in the parking lot.

[MoonieGT]

I hope it's not the battery... I think mine is from o o o o'reilly's

[Rob®]

Most places test batteries for free. You have nothing to lose but a few minutes of your time to rule that out.

[MoonieGT]

I'll add that to my check list. I suppose the battery is a much easier problem to fix than other issues. So maybe I hope it is the battery...

[Titus]

+1 on Battery. I had slow starts in my Miata for a few months. Replaced the battery and all was better.

[NissanFairladyZ32]

Mine has been doing that off and on for the past 2 years, doesn't bother me

happends more in the winter time.