Car would randomly struggles to crank over?

Tiny
STORM23
  • MEMBER
  • 2015 HONDA CIVIC
  • 1.8L
  • 4 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 90,000 MILES
The past 2 weeks my car would randomly struggle to start/turn over. Maybe nothing longer than a solid 4 seconds, but it's an obvious struggle. It's only the first start of the day. Once I drive it and stop somewhere- it starts just fine the rest of the day.

I just bought a new battery for it 3 months ago. Thought it might have been a faulty battery and went to get it tested. Battery is 100% fine.

Took it to Advanced Auto and they tested (but didn't show me the screen) and said everything was fine. Didn't get a great vibe from the person helping me so I took it by the AutoZone on my way back home just for the hell of it. They tested and showed me the screen and it said Voltage Regulator Failed/ Diodes Passed. Figured it may be the alternator or voltage regulator.

I scoured the internet and decided to do a little mini test and I unplugged my interior led lights that are USB connected (maybe I got a bad set that's draining something? Idk) but when I tried to start my car the following 2 days. It starts just fine.

Day after that, it struggles to start again. I take it to a different AutoZone near work and he shows me the screen, and everything passed this time (?) I'm stumped.

Car starts just fine today. I had an oil change scheduled at Meineke and my car was given a full bill of health. (Although I'm not sure how deeply they examine the car in their full-point check) but regardless. I still have no answers. Mentioned the issue to them and they loosely suggested it could be the starter going bad (however everything I've read about a failing starter wouldn't even allow the car to turn over).

Help?
Monday, June 19th, 2023 AT 2:23 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,949 POSTS
It is common for the starter to go out, but I would check the battery cables for corrosion as well.

This guide can help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/everything-goes-dead-when-engine-is-cranked

You can load test the battery yourself with this guide:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

Here is a guide to help walk you through the starter replacement with instructions in the images below for your car:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-starter-motor

Check out the images (below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem so we can see what's going on.

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Tuesday, June 20th, 2023 AT 4:49 PM

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