Car is old, 222k miles on it.

I turn the key, and nothing. It's a manual, so if I turn the key and hold it in the "starting" position and take my foot off the clutch, I can hear a relay kick. If I put my foot back on the clutch, I hear the relay kick again.

So I know that's working. But it doesn't try to turn over. It's only sometimes. Most commonly when it's been sitting for a few hours. Before work in the morning or when leaving after work in the evening. If I go to a store, am there for 45 mins and come out, the car will start up fine.

Any ideas? It seems to be happening now with the colder weather.

 

when was the last time the starter was serviced or replaced? i'd go from there.

 

pff, no idea. I'll see what the prices run for them first.

 

Could it just be a old battery? Battery has to be over 5 years old. I'm probably due.

 

when it actually does start, does it sound like its having a hardtime cranking?

try swapping the battery, couldnt hurt

 

Try the battery.

If that doesn't work, I'll bet the starter's brushes are sticking. Next time that happens, hit the starter with screw driver or a small hammer. This always used to happen in my Civic, until I got a new starter.

 

I'm going to go with a starter. Try getting a longer ratchet extension and hit the starter while someone is trying to crank it and it should start to crank. If it cranks after that then replace the starter.

 

Well tonight I was stuck in in the lot at work for a half hour trying to get it to start, again. Nothing. So my wife and her mom happened to be near by so they came over, for the heck of it we tried jumping it. It worked.

So I went to walmart and bought a new battery. So far so good. I didn't think it sounded like it had trouble starting before, but it defiantly sounds like it has a more powerful and faster startup. I'll know more tomorrow morning and after work when it's been sitting.

 

yep sounds like your old battery was weak.

 

Yes sir. Started fine this morning and after work, and it was nice and cold. Starts up with more vigor now.