vs starting problems need advice

[knight_vs]

hi all

this has been covered numerous times but id like to know a little more on the subject my 97 vs ecotec since ive owned it has a sluggish very very slow cranking start sometimes takes up to 5 seconds to fire the donk up

is it a battery or starter motor problem?

opinions would be great
joel

[Brett_jjj]

Id check both battery terminals,make sure they are clean and tight,and check where the positive battery lead connects to the starter motor,make sure the nut is tight,and I use a wire brush to clean the lead and the contact bolt on the starter.(Disconnect the battery first of course).Theres also a couple of earth leads that need cleaning.Theres one that goes to the body ,just near the battery,and theres another one I think it goes to the engine mount,clean them up with a wire brush and make sure they are tight.You can also add extra earth wires from the battery terminals to the engine.Ive added another earth cable going from the negative battery terminal to the bolt at the front of the engine where the two oxygen sensors earth to the engine (2 black wires)..Ive also added another earth wire going from the negative battery terminal to the body.This has helped the slow winding over considerably.I also went and got a decent battery when my old one died.I had a century 420 CCA(Cold Cranking Amps), which is a bit too low,so I got a 600 CCA ,its an AC Delco brand battery and it only cost me $120...The car winds over heaps fast now, and it fires up pretty much instantly now instead of having to wind over a few times first before firing up..

[knight_vs]

ill defin ately clean terminals and leads thanks its just a cross of the fingers everytime it starts so starter motor mighten even be buggered?

[A.C.COOKIE]

yeah my guess would be electrical, if it were the starter motor you would either have a grinding noise coming from the starter itself or it would miss in the cranking due to the teeth on the starter not meshing if you know what I mean. I just had to replace my starter in my vr exec but in my case it would power up but that was it it wouldn't even try and crank over. Good luck

[nikstik]

I've got the same problem too, it drives me mad!! Sounds like the battery is almost dead. I'm going back over the wires tomorrow after I replace my diff thats buggered.

[hako]

I'm with Brett - you need a good fresh battery on a Commodore....at least 600CCA. The difference a good battery with plenty of reserve capacity is surprising.

[knight_vs]

it might just be that guys although all battery fluid levels are topped up maybe its seen better days terminals could do with a freshen up but id hate to buy one then still have the same problem but if its the way to go i might just have to cheers

[knight_vs]

id also like to add the times that it doesnt start it makes a clickin sound and all the lights flicker sometime later it sometimes starts up