Just recently my 1991 Accord (270K miles) has developed this slow cranking start. It still starts but it doesn't have the normal sound/start time as it did before. It's been like this for a week now so I don't think that the alternator or battery are the culprit. If it were the alternator, the battery should have run out by now....and it's not the battery because I've tried a new battery and it does the same thing. I haven't checked the alternator yet, but I don't think that the alternator would cuase the starting system to become slow. Don't forget, its just slow but it always starts. Could the starter be the problem? Can anyone think of anything else?

Things to note: the starter and alternator are still the original OEM parts.

Thanks in advance for any comments/help!

 

Probably a voltage drop somewhere, if your battery is good.

 

distributor, bad spark plugs or even the wiring to the spark plugs, my sister had the same problem but she had a 96 corolla it was her distributor

 

I tested the battery under a load and it is still good. Replaced the cap/rotor, checked spark plugs, replaced fuel filter and everything else looks good. But the car still is cranking slow. Does anyone have anymore suggestions?

 

Starter perhaps? I have a 92 and it cranks really solid, but my mom has a 90 and it sounds much weaker, but starts fine. Just seems like the starter to me.

 

Could be a voltage drop somewhere. Bad connection, corrosion at connection etc...

 

Does anyone know how to check if the alternator is working properly without having to take it out of the engine compartment? I just want to see it is still charging the battery....if it isn't, I'd like to take it out and get it rebuild.

Any easy way of checking?

 

Alternators dont just provide voltage they provide current. The alternator should charge the battery at about 14 volts. Or just slightly above. Increase the load on the system until it meets the amp rating of the alternator. The voltage should read battery voltage or about 12 volts. If at the alternators amp rating, the voltage is lower than 12, replace the alternator. Of course, the first thing you always check are the connections. Unwanted resistance is the most common cause of electrical failure. Usually this is in the form of a bad connection or corrosion. Corrosion equals a voltage drop which would cause a slow crank even with a good battery. I would check the voltage drop between the battery post and cable clamp. Then from the cable clamp to the cable directly after the clamp. Then check for a poor ground connection to the engine block.