Engine Starting....

[chatyak]

Today for the first time since I had the car it took about 3-5 seconds for the car to start, after turning the key. Normally takes a second or so for the ignition switch to kick in... got scared my battery was dead or something.... anyone know why this may be?

After that, I shut off the engine and tried again and it worked as usual.....

[Booter22]

Time to trade it in I supppse..

[chatyak]

Like I said in another thread - trying to learn more about cars and am a slight noob at this. Didn't know if it was a sign of the battery starting to go bad or something - but I understand your answer... so thank you. Chalk it up to random quirks & nuances .

[silverstarmazda]

when was the last time you ran your car before these symptoms. it could simply be that your battery was slightly weak from minor electrical usage from the last time you shut your car off (lights and radio on after your shut your engine).

or it could be that your batter is no longer holding a charge as it use to.

[chatyak]

I use the car daily....drove it earlier in the day. I had left the driver door open while cleaning and washing it but I have the setting for the dome light to be off - so the light wasn't on. If the battery is no longer holding a charge like it should be - is there a way to test this or would this occurrence happen more often?

[Lmmorden]

3 to 5 seconds turning over or 3 to 5 seconds to engage starter?

[chatyak]

3 to 5 seconds turning over or 3 to 5 seconds to engage starter?

Sorry, can you explain the difference? It was a few seconds of that sound when trying to start a car but nothing happens - like the battery is dead... just took longer to "kick in".

[silverstarmazda]

3 to 5 seconds turning over or 3 to 5 seconds to engage starter?

first one. go to a part source that tests batteries and have them tell you whats up. my car will rarely take a bit longer to start.

[Booter22]

sometimes this happens to me if i dont drive the car long enough to let it warm up and move it from the road to the drive way or a quick drive over to tims. i think you are ok. just see if it happens again or more frequent and then go from there. and stop getting so worked up about the little things. IE filling up the fuel. it will only fill up so much before it comes out and all over your shoes. i wouldnt say to over fill it that way every time. but 1 time is not going to mess stuff up

[Lmmorden]

first one. go to a part source that tests batteries and have them tell you whats up. my car will rarely take a bit longer to start.

But if it's turning over battery should be fine
Especially since no charge was required to get it working normally
If start at the fuel pump

[m_bisson]

But if it's turning over battery should be fine
Especially since no charge was required to get it working normally
If start at the fuel pump

Nah, I'm going with battery first. Way more likely to fail than a fuel pump.

[Lmmorden]

Nah, I'm going with battery first. Way more likely to fail than a fuel pump.

In my experience faulty batteries don't turn the car over then suddenly start working.. An engine turning over with no fire is either no spark or no fuel.. So you may want to check check your plugs aren't gummed , your fuel filter isn't due for change.. And your fuel pump is working tip top and have no grounding issues. Battery is used for electronic fuel pump but if you didn't charge the battery it makes no sense to start working after time.... Time... Flooding can be cured with time.. Again this is fuel/spark related.
Again it's my experience and may save you some time; although I may be wrong here.
Do let me know! Definitely interested in what it is

Edit: also a fuel line check may reveal something.. I once had one clogged with foam 😳 and I only found that out after a new battery, new fuel pump, then literally sucking the air out if the fuel line with my mouth lol