Turn over takes long: weak starter or battery?
 

Hi all,

Have a 2002 P5, love it. There is NO PROBLEM HERE but I am curious: it takes about 2-3 seconds for my car to turn over when I start it cold. The manual says it can take up to 10 seconds. My last car started instantly, as does my mom's Toyota. I would imagine the longer turn overs are because either the battery is not as strong as it could be, or the starter is not as strong as it could be. I would imagine the stronger one is, the longer they would both last. Is this true? Is there something else that causes one car to take longer to turn over than another, other than the battery and/or starter? Again, I'm not complaining, but I'm just curious. Especially if one dies and I could benefit from getting a stronger whatever.

Thanks!!
Josh :dunce:

What was your previous car and what year is your mother's Toyota? With all of the fancy electronics controlling the engine on newer models, it takes a few cranks before everything gets online and tests run before the engine is signalled to start. It's just the way it is now.

-Jerry

Yah I noticed this problem too. Takes quite a long time to get it started. I think it's a weak starter rather than battery, the starter motor sounds weaker than in other cars.

And in those other cars, it takes a few cranks to start too. What makes it sound weaker? Would you prefer the chirp-chirp sound of a Honda starter? Or the wake-the-dead sound of a Ford starter?

-Jerry

I had a 93 Saturn SC-2 and my mom has a 2001 Toyota Corolla. They both start instantly, yet my Mazda takes several noticeable seconds. If the delay is intentional, why? Again, just trying to learn more about my car, thanks for any help.