OK just a problem im encountering lately when i start my car up. It takes a bit for it to kick over. I dunno how to explain it umm... Put the key in turn it and it sounds like its gonna start then it will just stop...pauses for about 2-3 seconds then starts up rather sluggishly. Oh another thing i noticed, when starting it up all the lights on the dash come up then when it pauses and has trouble kicking over they fade/disappear then come up again very very briefly when it kicks over. Then they just disappear. If im driving the car, and say go into a servo. And then turn the car back on its fine, it seems its mainly when its a little cold. Im beginning to think its the starter motor, and im really hoping its not.
Remove the battery leads, clean your battery terminals and the lead connectors, then smear a little vaseline on them to stop them corroding, then reinstall them and tighten them up firmly. Check the battery voltage after a run. I replaced my starter last week, a brand new bosch unit to suit a V6 Auto delivered to my door for $137. From www.holmart.com.au
Or if you have a multi meter do it yourself 14.6v is meant to be optimal I think but around 12v while running is ok. My car runs at about 13.5 according to the trip computer (special functions diagnostics mode) Cleaning the terminals is an excelent idea, even replace with some better ones if need be. To clean them up you can use sandpaper it works a treat if there is allot of white crud on the battery terminals get half a cup of water and put two tea spoons of bi carb in it, stir, and brush it on, I use a toothbrush and scrub it on Just note that too much bicarb will just make a mess and leave white bi carb crap on your terminals.
I would start with battery. Clean contacts as 9C1pack suggested. Make sure the wiring into the contacts is really tight. If battery is over 2 years old, replace it. If, once you have put in a new battery, it is still hard to start, suspect starter motor. If the car goes well for a few days, and then starts to return to bad starts, suspect the alternator not charging the battery properly. You will find out soon if it is the starter motor, they have a tendancy to fail when they want and leave you stuck.
Just on that point DannyboyDS, if you are constantly getting corrosion on the battery terminals, try some 'Battery Terminal Protector' by CRC. It comes in a white and red spray can. I used to have really bad corrosion build up on my negative battery terminal (I have heard that it is meant to be more common on positive). I tried those round felt pads that you put on the terminal and are meant to stop the corrosion. They were crap, the white power built up on the pads themselves after the battery terminal was covered. I finally found this stuff. It sprays out in a thick bright yellow almost paste. I grab a bit of newspaper and rip a small hole in it, put it around the terminal so I dont get overspray, and put a coat on the terminal. One coat is all you need. I think the can is a little expensive, like $16, but it should last forever. I have only ever used the can 3 times in about 4 years. Once when I first had the problem, used it again when I put a new battery in and other time was on my ride on mower. It completly covers the terminal so that the corrosion cant occur, but even in places that it doesnt cover, it seems to protect. Its good stuff.
Hey kopper69, that CRC stuff, does that leave a blue rubbery coating on the terminal and any where else it is sprayed? My car has this blue stuff sprayed on the terminals and I have always wondered what it was.
I think I know the stuff you are talking about. Pretty sure its the same type of stuff by a different manufacturer. You should never get any corrosion on your battery terminals while that stuff is on.
