I’ve got a ‘97 2.3 four-cylinder 5 speed manual, and it does this thing where maybe every 10th time when I turn the key it will turn over very, very slowly, like the battery‘s almost dead. But it’s not. If I try a few more times, suddenly it will turn over and start just fine.

I’ve taken it to the shop four times for this issue and they keep telling me they fixed it (as near as I can tell all they’ve done is change out the cables and clamps) but then it happens again. Strangely enough, I can cure the problem at least temporarily by jiggling the battery. (The bolt to hold the battery down is missing, I’ll be fixing that shortly).

anyways, I’m stumped, and I’d like to take it to a new shop up the street, but since it only happens occasionally (and of course never while they are looking at it), I am not sure where to tell them to start.

Any ideas?

thanks!

 

Welcome to the forum

If "they" have changed the battery cables then the problem is most likely in the Battery itself, from your description
i.e. "jiggling the battery fixes it"

So internal issue with one of the battery terminals

Starter motor needs 60 to 75amps all at once, that's why the battery is there and so big
That 60amps must travel thru the Positive Battery cable to the starter motor and then BACK to the battery thru the Negative battery cable, that's why there are two BIG cables on the + and - battery posts, just for the starter motor

If just one of the + or - cables or battery terminals can only pass say 40amps then starter cranks slowly
Inside the battery there are connections as well, so if that's were the "bottleneck" is then you need another battery
I would look for a battery sale

Some batteries are prorated so if its less than 3 years old you might be able to get some money off a replacement
Car/truck Batteries last 5 to 6 years

After a battery sits ovenight test its voltage
12.8volt is a newer battery
12.5v is a 3 year old battery
12.3v is a 5/6 year old battery and can only hold 50% charge, so time to shop for battery sales

12.2v or less is a done battery, will not start the engine on the next COLD morning, the dreaded "click, click, click", lol

 

Never thought of that! Great idea! Maybe all the jiggling around dislodged something. I’ll have to get that clamp replaced. Thanks!