I've got abad feeling that I have been down this road before with the wife's car. Intermittently on starting the car sometimes seems to have a weak almost lagging type turn over then it will after a few seconds fire up and run fine. I say I've been here before because last time I had these type of symptoms the car ended up failing and it turned out to be the distributor. I replaced the distributor for new one last october and the car ran fine. The problem seemed to start january, I also resoldered the main fuel relay which sorted out the stalling at petrol stations. I have changed the plugs,fuel filter and have just orderded some new ht leads. Please help if anyone has any ideas? Could it be the starter motor?

 

Sounds like a starter to me. Leakdown/compression test couldn't hurt either, and is free to rent from your local Autozone/Advance Auto

 

could be a weak bettery though also. if youve got a charger try getting a good charge on the battery, also make sure the cells arent dry and in need of fluid.
if its not battery id check the starter. a distributor could cause starting problems but it wouldnt sound or feel like a weak start, it would just crank and not fire up.

 

Do you mean there's a lag when you turn the key and nothing happens for a second? Or does the motor turn over but doesn't fire up for a second?

Stick or automatic?

 

It's an auto and it does turn over but seems slow turning over then after a few seconds it fires up.
Just had the battery tested only seems to be holding a minimum charge so I'm going to charge it over night and get it retested to prove the battery is at fault. The only thing I wanted to check, is that the battery I have got is the correct amps as it has been changed before. The car is a 1993 1.6i DOHC delsol SIR with the electric roof. The battery reads 335amps on it does anyone know if this is ok?

 

yeah...that sounds like the battery...

i'm not sure, i have the del sol S and back wen i had the singlecam nonvtec in it, the battery was supposed be 425 cold cranking amps, if its holding a low charge, it will start just as it is now.... go to a local shop and have them test the battery and if it comes out fine and ur battery starts to drain again, make sure to check parasitic draw, meaning make sure watever uses the battery after ur car is off is not drawing to0o many amps and also make sure notin extra is being left on.....just some things to ponder

 

I would test the voltage at the battery before you start the car and after it's started. Is the alternator charging correctly? Clean and tight battery cables?

 

I recharged the battery over night then took it to be tested again and it is still only holding a minimum charge. so I have ordered a new one hoping to refit this week I will let every one know of the out come. Cheers

 

Fitted the new battery also got some new ignition leads and that problem seems to have gone, fingers crossed. Cheers for every ones input.