Possible starter problem? My startups are moody as hell!

[Rice Over Wheat]

Ok, I have a similar problem to another thread here but somewhat different and I didn't want to hijack the guy's thread. And my car sometimes starts up fine, so I'm having problems troubleshooting the problem.

When I turn the ignition to start up the car, sometimes the engine immediately jumps to life. Other times I will turn the key, it gets power in ACC, but when turned all the way I hear the click and nothing happens. Now, a random number of clicks later it immediately starts right up. There is no grinding starts.

My Everready (cold start 525) battery is a year old and according to my SAFC voltage readout it is charging and holding charge as it should. My alternator appears fine as well and is also a year old. I do have quite a lot of crap running off my battery: viper alarm, aftermarket sound system, SAFC II, TT, and Indiglos. Not sure if this has anything to do with it.

Yesterday I went to start my car and for the first time I didn't get any power even in ACC. I opened my hood, started poking around checking the battery, then 30 min later tried again. It started first try. Today it's back to its same old behavior, sometimes starting immediately, other times clicking forever before the engine jumps to life.

Any ideas on whether this is a textbook starter problem? And if it is, then why the hell would my remote start still work fine? It's actually the best way to start my car now.

(and yes I read all the FAQs and searched)

 

[BISHILVR]

Bad ignition switch, or a bad battery terminal or wire.

 

[SeeYaAWD]

Check for corrosion in your wiring harness. That was a problem with my 2G for the previous owner. It took replacing the starter, and alternator, and a battery to finally find (good for me . Look for corrosion, and good luck!

 

[Rice Over Wheat]

Thanks for the replies, I really appreciate it. A friend of mine suggested my not-so-sturdy terminal connection, but that was tightened down the day it wouldn't start. Now it's back to its old behavior. However, he also mentioned my wiring harness which aren't in the best of conditions anymore, some fraying and corrosion...just like you both did. I will try replacing the terminal connectors and wires today and let you know what happened.

 

[Rice Over Wheat]

Update. Well I found other problems and I'm not sure if they are related.

I found that my fuel pressure regulator vacuum hose was disconnected. So I reconnected it.

Also, I've been getting PO505 Idle Control System Malfunction for the last two years. I ignored it as my idle hasn't been a problem. However, I'm thinking about having the Idle Air Control Valve replaced...the part is $189. Not sure how critical this part is?

I'm thinking that the starter may be binding up and may need replacing. It's been going 74k miles now and never been changed. The starter would cost me $173. However, I still don't understand how it can be the starter if the remote start never needs repeat attempts like using the key/ignition does?

 

[SeeYaAWD]

...remote start never needs repeat attempts like using the key/ignition does?

I don't think you need much more convincing that it is a problem with your wiring harness. Either you have a fray/short, or corrosion. The same thing happened to the guy that I bought my car from. In trying to diagnose the starting problem (after replacing the parts I mentioned earlier), he finally just bypassed the ignition and put in a push button starter (and no, you can't start the car without the key in the ignition). Because this bypassed his corroded wiring harness, it works flawlessly every time. I still haven't fixed the corrosion on those pins of the wiring harness as there is no need to.

Alright... done with my rant. Good luck.

 

[Rice Over Wheat]

Ok I just wanted to close this issue because it appears I have the problem solved. I went and got 4 cans of engine bay solvent and cleaned about 5 years of oil, grime, and corrosion off of everything. They said not to use it on the battery but I did anyway and now it starts up fine! Thanks for the help all, it was a cleaning issue and thank god I didnt buy those other parts.

 

[Rice Over Wheat]

Sorry to resurrect the dead, but in case others are having the same issue...

I replaced the starter and it starts up perfectly now. It wasn't corrosion or wiring harnesses or grounds. It was the worn out internals of the starter. $198 for the starter.

Resolved! (for real this time)

 

[SeeYaAWD]

Good to hear you finally have everything worked out