SHO is being fussy...

[Smoof]

SHO is being fussy... *update*

I thinking it might just be the battery or the humidity in the air.
Today I was ready to head-out for work (9:45) and hopped in the SHO to start it.
I turn the key, it starts cranking. I get about three - Wrrr-Wrrr-Wrrr, then it stops. Now when I turn the key it makes this electric buzzing noise and does nothing. Occasionally in the mornings it will do this, but if I give it a moment it'll start right-up without a complaint the rest of the day. Today though, it just didn't want to. I got a ride to work and come home just now (6:30) and decided to give it a shot. I got two - Wrrr-Wrrr, and it goes back to it's little buzzing noise.
It was about 30degrees F today and foggy for a lot of the day (morning and then now). I'm betting that the humidity in the air has a lot to do with the problem right now, as the SHO has started for me without a complaint in the negative temps.
Anyway, I'm planning on giving it a try tomorrow morning and seeing what happens. Any ideas?

 

[MI-SHOFEAR]

I think your battery is taking a $hit IMO. But also check all your connections, you might have a draw somewhere from a loose or fuzzy connection.
Jeff

 

[GoofSHO]

Chk the BATTERY 1st. Go from there. 98% sure it's the batt.


Brian

 

[Smoof]

What would likely be the problem with the battery? Just not enough charge or what? Just going bad from being there for a while?

 

[MI-SHOFEAR]

its cold and old....
no juice left, you can have it tested at you local autoparts store

Jeff

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

cold kills weak batteries

 

[Smoof]

Thanks for the input guys
Just gotta get a new battery, even though I just spent $70 on the unnessicarry(?) ram for my computer

 

[Blank-Disk]

if it's a weak battery, then you shouldn't even be getting a whirring noise really. On top of that, if it majically starts up a little while later, that means that the battery has had a charge the whole time. I've never in my life had a battery that doesn't work one minute then works the next. It's either good or bad. and if it's TRUELY a weak battery, then turn on your lights next time it happens, if they're bright as usual, then that's not ur problem. sounds like either ur starter is getting bawled up somewhere, or you have a bad connection to it, IMO.

 

[somedude_001]

I agree with blank-disk

when a battery is going dead generally the starter will click but when my starter went oun (last month) it turned over 3 times and that was it buzzzz buzzzz thats all I would get out of it, there was nothing wrong with my battery. thats not to say thats your problem though. have you tried jump starting your car or charging your battery? does that work? charge up your battery and take it to a parts store and have them test it for you (free) if you bring in a dead battery it will not test properly and they might sell you one even though you may not need one.

 

[Smoof]

I just replaced the bat to check it out and still nothing.
So the starter is my next idea then? It's still doing the little electric buzz with the new battery in there. The night before it went out, it sounded real slow on cranking. Like Whir....Whir....Whir.... then it turned and started.
What would make the starter not do anything one minute, then kick-in and go fine the next?

 

[SHOman247]

starter relay

 

[Smoof]

What is the starter relay and how hard is it to replace?

 

[ShadetreeSHOguy]

ever thought it might be the cam sensor?

 

[Smoof]

So what is the answer then? heh heh

 

[josh m kuhn]

my moms toyota camry did this a while ago sometimes it would start with no problems sometime it wouldnt crank and just stop. like a loose positive or neg wire. so i took it to fleet and they tested it and it was border line, so i got a new one and it never hapend again. but my sho sometimes would crank once or twice and then would stop and i would always try and move the pos and neg for a better connection and that usually would get me a better connection. befor buying anything scar up the terminals and tighten all the bolts on the wires and clanp the wires on the terminals tight. then see what happens. thats just what i do

 

[josh m kuhn]

i would make sure that all your connections are good befor you start spending money on a starter relay. my opinion

 

[Smoof]

Well, putting the new battery in seemed to make no difference, plus everything comes on as it should. If I have some light tomorrow, I'm probably going to throw in a new solenoid first. If that doesn't work, probably on Thursday attempt to put in a new starter. If that doesn't work, I have NFI.
What is a starter relay and where is it at anyway?

 

[NiNeTy Fo SHO]

Just an opinion, but if it was me I would try more things before replacing stuff...

From a few things that I have tried and have worked for some (including myself) would be to try jump starting it. The higher voltage output from the alternator of another vehicle may kick over the car your having a problem with. This happened to me, new battery...sometimes start, sometimes not. When I jumped it, the car would start everytime without a hitch. I replaced the starter, and now have yet to have another starting problem. Starters can also be tested at auto parts stores after removed from the car. The selenoid is connected to the starter I do believe as one piece.

I would try jumping it first (if easy to do) and then remove the starter if you find jumping works or to even have it tested.

Removing the starter is very easy in my opinion...and causes problems due to the oil filter being directly above it I think.

Just food for thought...

 

[Smoof]

Okay so, I attempted to jump the car at the sugguestion of a few, since it's the cheapest way. I got nothing.
Samething as it was doing. The only thing different was when I first hooked it up the starter kicked for a split second. Then I let it charge for about 3 minutes, got back in it to try it again. It kept just doing what it was doing, then after minute or two of turning the key, the starter kicked again, but VERY roughy for about two turns (Whrrr-Whrrr) then it quit again. After that I stopped.

Ideas?

 

[Blank-Disk]

it's ur starter dude. it HAS to be. again, did you try your headlights?