blue98ls1 Posted April 8, 2008 Report Share Posted April 8, 2008 I have been having a "Slow starting" issue with my car. It cranks normally, but takes a lot longer to start than it should. A shop that I had my oil changed at checked the Alternator and it showed it wasn't putting out anything. Then I took the car this morning to an Advance auto parts and had them check the battery/alternator and everything tested fine. Last night I was out driving around and after one of the slow starting episodes, the lights where dim and the clock wasn't illuminating until I got on the highway. Then everything was fine. Today the clock kept getting dim/bright while I was driving. I am not getting any check engine lights, battery lights or anything like that. I had the starter and fuel pump replaced aprx 2 months ago. The engine replaced/rebuilt about 9 months ago. Another note: sometimes when it is having the "slow start" issue, if I give it some gas, it seems to start better. Does it sound like the Alternator is going out? Or does it sound more like a fuel related/sensor related issue? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Posted April 8, 2008 Report Share Posted April 8, 2008 Do you have a voltmeter in your gauge cluster? If so, find out what the normal voltage should be. What car is this, anyway? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue98ls1 Posted April 8, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2008 Do you have a voltmeter in your gauge cluster? If so, find out what the normal voltage should be. What car is this, anyway? No, I don't have a voltmeter in the gauge cluster. Its a 92 Subaru SVX. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Posted April 9, 2008 Report Share Posted April 9, 2008 Try a shop that can run a diagnostic on the battery and alternator at the same time while the car is running. Snap on has a neat dealie I used Sunday to diagnose my car. Shouldn't be expensive at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acec Posted April 9, 2008 Report Share Posted April 9, 2008 From what you describe it should be the alternator. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tractor Posted April 9, 2008 Report Share Posted April 9, 2008 Sounds like alternator trouble to me. I'd check your power with a volt meter while the electrical system is under load, but from the "dim lights" and other things its very likely the alternator so just replace it or at least open it and replace the brushes:-) Maybe clean a few things while your in there if you don't want to buy the thing. Evan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skold Posted April 9, 2008 Report Share Posted April 9, 2008 start the car let it idle hook a voltmeter to + and - see if you get 13+ volts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TurboRust Posted April 9, 2008 Report Share Posted April 9, 2008 start the car let it idle hook a voltmeter to + and - see if you get 13+ volts then turn brights on, heater/a/c on full blast(blower speed high) and check makes sure its putting out atleast 13.3+ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ODoyle Posted April 9, 2008 Report Share Posted April 9, 2008 I had a nissan 300zx that did this same thing and it was the battery not the alternator but i would get them both off the car and get them both checked thats what i did Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
resurection Posted April 10, 2008 Report Share Posted April 10, 2008 make sure none of your wires are corroded. If you have too much resistance with a bad connection, that will cause a charging problem as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vander Posted April 10, 2008 Report Share Posted April 10, 2008 What advance did you go to? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue98ls1 Posted April 10, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 10, 2008 I went to the Advance on W. Broad St. I had a friend test the Alternator again today, and he said it was fine. I'll clean the connections and see if that does anything. I'm guessing if it is "bad" it is working intermittently or something. Thanks guys for the suggestions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 614Streets Posted April 11, 2008 Report Share Posted April 11, 2008 Check your grounds and do a voltage drop test. Sounds like a resistance issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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