Intermittent starting issues..

[604-Allstar]

Hi,

Lately I have been having issues with my car intermittently not wanting to start. At first it was only happening once every few days/weeks and now it seems to be happening at least once a day. The battery is good and the charging system is working. I've noticed that the issue seems to happen more often when I have parked the vehicle and not had the wheels straight. Also, if I try and start the car without my foot on the brake i notice this also seems to increase the chance of a starting issues.

I've tried switching keys to see if the key was the issue, moving the gear shifter to see if the parking lock was causing issue but neither seemed to help. Anyone have any suggestion on things to test?

Could there be a ground wire issue?

Cheers!

[JPK Omaha]

What is the symptom? Does it turn over and not start? Does the starter make half a turn and stop?

[604-Allstar]

Sorry, forgot to mention that... Then engine doesn't turn over (crank) when you turn the key to start the engine, you just hear a click.

Thinking I will need to try testing the starter/starter solenoid.

[JPK Omaha]

That could be something as simple as a loose connection between the battery and starter, or a dead battery.

[rgk]

It's a bad starter. I had it happen to me. I see it happen to a lot of people on this board.

[604-Allstar]

It's a bad starter. I had it happen to me. I see it happen to a lot of people on this board.

Yeah, i had started to suspect that too. I reading some posts that said that mentioned installation issues with aftermarket starters. Does anyone know which aftermarket brand seems to be the best to purchase? I would prefer not to spend the $300 on an OEM one if i can avoid it.

[rgk]

I purchased a rebuilt Beck Arnley, and it has been excellent since I put it in 1.5 years ago. From what I see, your only non-OEM option will be to purchase a rebuilt starter. I went with one of the higher-end brands. I believe it was about $150 on rockauto.

[attofarad]

My wife's QX4 had similar symptoms. I replaced hers with one from eBay out of a wreck with maybe 50k miles on it. That was a few years ago, so those low mileage parts are probably hard to come by these days.

[cr4west]

When the "click" happens strike the starter motor case with a hammer and try it. Or use a large screwdriver to short between solenoid 12V positive terminal and the solenoid trigger terminal. Sounds like starter motor brushes are worn out or the starter solenoid is failing.

[bmconway76110]

Agreed that the started is where I would start. I had a volvo years ago. If you drove it for while and then tried to restart it, it wouldn't even click. Let it sit and then it worked fine. I replaced the starter and it was great. Sold it and the guy that bought it totaled it out two days later.

[604-Allstar]

Thanks, I ordered a new starter, now I just need a free weekend to install it.

Any tips or tricks for installation?