sluggish startup on VS

[nickwontlose]

Hey im having some problems with my 97 VS. Ever since iv had it whenever i turn the key the car struggles to start, it usally takes between 2 - 5 seconds to actually start up. The other day however i tried starting it up and I got nothing it just made a clicking noise. After a while it eventually started but I was just wondering if anyone has experienced this before and has fixed it. Iv already had a look through the forums and i dont think the problem is due to bad contact with the key.
Any help would be appreciated cheers.

[dale1389]

Could be your starter motor mate?

[kopper69]

Sounds like a dieing battery, bad connection on the battery or your starter motor. If you have a multimeter you can take some measurements to get an idea of how the battery is or take it to a battery shop and they will test it for you. Start by checking the battery connections - they must be nice and tight. If the battery is a few years old, replace it. Good starting point anyway even if it is the starter motor.

[VS Omega]

If the car stalls while you're driving then it could be the crank angle sensor (CAS), was having similar problems; car wouldn't start sometimes and would almost randomly. When it doesn't start next try pouring cold water on the CAS and see if it starts - when they're damaged they get very sensitive to heat I think.

[Berlinarator]

When i first read your post, i thought starter motor for sure. But where you said clicking, i can only say the battery. As kopper69 said, it's the best starting point. Failing that, depending on your climate, the brushes in the starter motor can cause sluggish cranking. I'd be starting with the battery though.

[nickwontlose]

Sounds like a dieing battery, bad connection on the battery or your starter motor. If you have a multimeter you can take some measurements to get an idea of how the battery is or take it to a battery shop and they will test it for you. Start by checking the battery connections - they must be nice and tight. If the battery is a few years old, replace it. Good starting point anyway even if it is the starter motor.

I replaced the battery when i first bought it, it didnt really change anything. Ill check the connections and get back to you

If the car stalls while you're driving then it could be the crank angle sensor (CAS), was having similar problems; car wouldn't start sometimes and would almost randomly. When it doesn't start next try pouring cold water on the CAS and see if it starts - when they're damaged they get very sensitive to heat I think.

The car has never stalled when driving however I will trying pouring water on the CAS next time it gives me trouble

[Shaundy]

Yeah my VS also does this. Sometimes it will just quickly crank over 3-4 times and it will start. Other times it will crank over a slower and with more revolutions while if its really bad it will crank slowly and for a reasonably long time and each crank will 'stop solidly' with an audible sound.

[jdstrat]

Yeah my VS also does this. Sometimes it will just quickly crank over 3-4 times and it will start. Other times it will crank over a slower and with more revolutions while if its really bad it will crank slowly and for a reasonably long time and each crank will 'stop solidly' with an audible sound.

mine does that too - when the car's hot it cranks a lot slower than if it's cold. doesn't take more revolutions to start tho. it this a common ecotec thing?

[hako]

Also try moving the T Bar to N and back to P before moving the key - sometimes a worn inhibiter switch can cause this problem.

[Swordsy]

My VS used to do both these things, new battery made it start quicker and a new key fixed the "dead" start. My old ducks VS also did the key thing untill she replaced it.