I have to hold my key turned to start the car. Is this a sign of a bad starter? I have to hold it in the start position for a few seconds before the car finally begins to crank.

7/16/2007 9:48:34 AM

what's the make and model of the car? Does the starter turn full blast or start slowly? Need to jiggle the steering column to make it start or will it start after a few seconds every time?

7/16/2007 9:56:43 AM

its an 86 300zx non-turbo. Starter starts slowly. I'm always worried that it won't quite start, but it seems to after turning the key and holding it there for a few seconds. It makes my electronic clock and stereo all crazy after (electronically)

7/16/2007 10:06:12 AM

check to see if your battery terminals are nice and tight. the fact that your electronics go haywire afterwards makes me think it's not the starter or ignition stuff. it's a loose wire/short somewhere. check your alternator terminal and harness plug, too.

my alternator charge wire (no idea what the official name is, but the one that goes to battery +) actually backed out of its terminal this past weekend (240sx). I was very surprised.. it's never been messed with yet still broke loose from the factory crimp job

[Edited on July 16, 2007 at 10:13 AM. Reason : some guesses]

7/16/2007 10:12:41 AM

Interesting. I'll certainly check it out. THANKS!

7/16/2007 10:13:33 AM

prob battery terminals

7/16/2007 10:34:24 AM

so if I took the car to advance, and had them test the alternator(which is nearly new), battery(also nearly new) and starter, it should give me an idea?

7/16/2007 4:05:20 PM

no, pulling off your battery terminals and cleaning them will however

7/16/2007 4:10:52 PM

get a new battery

7/16/2007 10:39:45 PM

sounds like a weak battery for one reason or another. terminals not getting a good connection, weak alternator, or just the battery itself.

7/16/2007 10:46:38 PM

Quote :

"battery(also nearly new)"

7/16/2007 11:38:29 PM

never gotten a bad battery?

7/16/2007 11:41:02 PM

nope, i give em a full rectal exam first

7/16/2007 11:43:37 PM

lol

7/16/2007 11:45:16 PM

classic^^

7/17/2007 12:15:34 AM

sounds like a shitty car to me

7/17/2007 12:47:12 AM

It was totally a bad connection to batt.

THanks!!

7/20/2007 8:37:10 AM

totally, like for sure and junk!

7/20/2007 9:22:35 AM

if you dont carry one of those brushes to clean your terminals in your car, go spend the $2 and consider it a wise investment

7/20/2007 11:06:11 AM

or just spary it with terminal protector

7/20/2007 12:40:56 PM

^Keith, you tard. The protector ain't gonna CLEAN the terminals, and you know that!

Battery brush, baking soda, water = CLEAN terminals. Advance also sells a battery terminal cleaner that's cool. It sprays on yellow, but turns to red as it enounters acid and neutralizes it. Basically baking soda in solution with a reagent dye.

You still need to unhook the terminals from the battery and give the whole shebang a good cleaning.

7/20/2007 1:06:13 PM

looks like i won

7/20/2007 1:38:46 PM

Quote :

"if you dont carry one of those brushes to clean your terminals in your car, go spend the $2 and consider it a wise investment"

what i meant was instead of the above, just a good cleaning and terminal protector, i've never had corrosion problems on any of my vehicles, instead of just brushing it off every few months

7/20/2007 1:54:32 PM