2001 X - Slow Starting

[jclmaster]

Short version: cable ends are now tight and one is new but it seems to turn over longer before starting.

On Tuesday evening when I started my X up to go home from work the starter worked but it seemed to drag. I stopped at O'Reilley's on the way home. I popped the hood and wiggled the cable ends. The original negative end did wiggle and I could see there wasn't really any way to tighten it further. So I bought a new set and went home. At home I cut off the negative copper end and left the "band" section around the wires. I installed the new end and it seemed to b e goof to go. I ran it for a few minutes to charge up the battery. Then I put he charger on it to see if it needed more charging but it went to zero right away. On Wednesday it seemed to start better each time until I stopped on the way home for a DR appt. After wards it wouldn't even turn over completely. I checked the new end and it wiggled! I got the tools out and cinched it down really good. It started up like normal. After that it was okay until Friday night. I stopped at Walmart on the way home (30 mile trip home). I When I came out it barely started. Checked cable ends and they both seem to be secure. Went to O'Reilleys today and they checked the alternator and battery and said both were good.

Any suggestions on what might be causing it?

[raiderfernie]

since you already had pre-existing issues with your battery terminals..change them both out with new ones. make sure the new hardware is tight. the original hardware that tightens the metal piece around the terminal wears out after a while.

looks like you already put a new one on the negative end (unless i read it wrong.)

dont know which terminal you picked up..but buy these http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...2111&ppt=C0005 un-bolt the nut on the positive end and slide this one in its place.

like i said, i only recommend this because you already have had issues with it. i would like to eliminate the battery contacts as a problem.

on another note..when you took your x to oreilly,did they check the battery on or off the truck? i would prefer off and have them check it on the stationary machine..not the portable one. the stationary one will charge and check it where the portable one only checks it. it can be low on charge and still check the battery. hence you still having problems turning it on. the big one will automatically charge it then check it.

[jclmaster]

Thanks for the suggestions.

Here is the ones that I bought.

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...0365&ppt=C0061

I put only the neg one on. They are the old style lead ones. Do you think the thin metal ones work as good as the lead ones?

[jclmaster]

It just grunted this morning. I put a battery charger on it and it charged right up in about 5 mins or less (went from 4 to 0 on the scale). I started it up. Shut it off / started it again. Pulled the charger off and it still started up. How likely is it that my problem is the starter itself?

Thanks for any input!

[young1158]

Mine just began doing the same thing...seems to lag and require holding key a little long to crank. I recognize a weak battery on other cars, but hadn't seen it on this one yet. It cranks over strong, which makes me think it might be starter related.
(2002 X 2WD)

[KnightSaberAmi]

Mine is starting to do this now looking at replacing the 4 plus year old battery and the distributor cap. I'll let you know what happens...

[kms1990]

have you replaced the pcv valve recently? my 00 had a factory pcv valve and i had the factory starter die a few months back and still started slower then it seemed it should. so just the other day i was reading about he pcv valve being bad and causing oil leaks as pressure builds, and by the way replacing it did help my leak, but i noticed 2 other thing that are positives 1 idles better and 2 starts much faster and stronger. but i would suggest you take your starter off and take it to oriellys or autozone and have em test it and see if its at 100%.