Split-Second Starter Delay

[nismoskyz]

When you turn the key in the ignition, usually you should instantly hear the starter cranking the motor, "chu-thu-thu-thu", lol

Lately, it seems that an increasing delay is developing from the time I turn the key to the starting position and the time that I actually hear the motor crank.

I turn the key and instead of cranking right away, it seems like a fraction of a second goes by, then I hear the starter.

This has only been happening occasionally, however, today I turned the key and nothing happened at all (no clicks or anything), but it started right away the second time I turned the key.

Doesn't seem like a major issue at the moment, but I'd like to take care of this before it gets any worse.

Car is all stock, any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

[xpertsnowcarver]

Sounds like your battery is nearing its end. Bust out a voltmeter and see where its at right now, without starting your car.

[g6civcx]

As said above, low battery voltage, or the starter itself.

[airhead]

ignition switch or wiring.

[94porkchop]

i would also double check the timing.that can also caused a slightly delayed starting.

[KiLLeR2001]

I have this exact same problem and it seems from what I've observed it has to do with the ECU. Usually when my fuel pump is still priming and the key is in the start position, if I hold it there it won't start until the fuel pump is done priming, then it'll start right up. If I turn to the start position and the fuel pump has already been primed, it starts right up like it should. My battery is only a few months old (holds a solid 12.5v - 12.8v when car is shut off) and my alternator is good (at idle voltage is around 13.7v at the terminals)

[Wabash9000]

mine was doing that for 3 days and then the started completely died

[DALAZ_68]

the exact same thing happened to me friday OP...out of nowhere no click nothing...went to Autozone, battery was perfect...even swapped in a brand new gold duralast to see if that was the problem and nope, it was the starter going...

swapped starter day after and 0 issues...put back the original battery and still working liek a achamp...

i say do the same hting i did, go to autozone, get ur battery tested, if it passes, ur starters taking a dump soon, if u have plug cleaner, clean up ur plugs, corrosion gould be a culprit, but im unsure if it would be...

for me it was the starter.

[g6civcx]

What is the year/model of the car?

[wiggafly808]

Starter.. my 14 used to do that. Id have to put the key in and jiggle it before it would start.

[mothon]

Was your car converted to manual?

[nismoskyz]

Thanks for all the replies

I don't have a voltmeter but I could probably go to AutoZone and have them test it...

@KiLLeR2001
Well I don't usually even turn the key until I hear the fuel pump stop priming, so I don't know if that's the issue. Still a possibility though, maybe I forgot to listen for it.
Although, certain times I have intentionally turned the key while the fuel pump was still priming and it has started up.

@DALAZ_68
Ouch, hope it's not the starter, because mine is just a few years old.
Yeah, I think I'm probably gonna go have the battery tested... I have had starting issues due to corroded terminals in the past and this battery's been in there for a while, so I think it could be the culprit...

Car is a '91 240SX, stock, no transmission swaps.

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions and input.

[DALAZ_68]

@DALAZ_68
Ouch, hope it's not the starter, because mine is just a few years old.
Yeah, I think I'm probably gonna go have the battery tested... I have had starting issues due to corroded terminals in the past and this battery's been in there for a while, so I think it could be the culprit...




u missed my point, it was the starter, i swapped it out, and blamo she starts B-E-Autifully now :bigok:

it was a bitch to do...

[one30five]

I have that problem, but mine is the signal connector near the starter. When i jump over the connector, it works fine.

[nismoskyz]

u missed my point, it was the starter, i swapped it out, and blamo she starts B-E-Autifully now :bigok:

it was a bitch to do...

Yeah I see that your problem was the starter, I was saying that I just hope mine isn't the starter since it's not even that old.

Still haven't yet had the opportunity to have the battery tested.. but I'm having a feeling it is the battery, since it seems to happen only if I haven't started the car for several hours or so.