Why does my car struggle to start even with a new battery?

23.02.22

Car Tips

Car struggles to start but runs fine? Here’s what’s wrong & how to fix it

There are few sounds more panic-inducing than your engine cranking over but not starting immediately. Sure, there’s relief when you finally hear that purr under the bonnet, but will you be able to get it started again at your next destination, or will you be stranded and embarrassed in the Dan Murphy’s carpark forever?! If your car struggles to start but runs fine, this article is for you.

Why your car struggles to start but runs fine

There are a number of reasons why your car might be slow to start but runs as-normal once it gets going. Causes can vary from weather conditions to battery health, wiring issues, starter motor concerns and fuel-pump health. If your car won’t start at all, check out our guide here. Let’s dive in and explore a few of the common causes for a slow start.

1. Wiring

Your car transfers power from one component to another through a series of wires. Loose connections or leaks can cause interruptions to important systems involved in starting your car. For example, your starter motor relies on 2 key wires to run properly:

• A large wire supplies power, running straight from the battery
• A smaller wire sends a signal from the ignition when you turn your key (or press start), instructing the starter motor to use that power supply and get started

If either of these wires is loose, or affected by corrosion, you may experience an interruption in power-supply or a delay in the delivery of the signal to start the motor. Often an issue like this will result in a slow start, but no ill-effects once you get going.

If a quick fiddle of the wires gets things running smoothly again, great! But if you’ve got an obvious leak or corrosion in play, bring your vehicle in so we can resolve the root cause before further damage occurs.

2. Starter relay and starter motor issues

If you hear a series of clicks when you engage the ignition before it fires up, this may be a sign of wear and tear in your starter relay or starter motor. The electrical contacts that provide power to the starter motor will wear down over time, transferring less and less power to your starter motor.

With less power, the starter motor will spin slower, causing that struggle you feel when starting your car. If you don’t have this repaired quickly, it can cause expensive damage to your starter motor, so don’t delay in bringing your vehicle into Cox Auto for early repairs – we’ll take care of you and your vehicle.

3. Battery problems

If your battery isn’t sending enough current towards the starter motor, your engine simply won’t fire up. So if engaging the ignition the first few times results in nothing (e.g. no sounds or no lights on your dashboard) before you finally get some action, then there’s a good chance that the problem is with your battery. A physical examination will quickly reveal if there’s any corrosion on the battery itself. If it looks okay, check that your battery cables haven’t come loose.

Still slow to start? It might just be the case that your battery is getting to the end of its lifespan. You might get away with a few slow starts, but it’s likely that a battery on its last legs will give out at an inconvenient moment, so don’t delay in seeing the experts and getting your battery issues sorted out!

4. Fuel issues

Another cause of a slow start can be a blockage or leak in your fuel lines. Fuel lines transport fuel from the tank to the engine; any blockage or loss of volume through a leak can result in lower pressure than is necessary to power the engine. It’s not uncommon for a blockage in a fuel line to slow the start of your vehicle, only to run fine after, but repeated slow starts might be a sign of something more systemic, such as a leak.

Don’t ignore the signs!

If you’ve noticed that your car struggles to start but runs fine time and time again – even if it then seems fine while it’s running – it’s time for some expert intervention. Bring your vehicle in and we’ll use our sophisticated diagnostic tools to identify and rapidly resolve the issue before more damage is done. We can keep you on the move with a loan vehicle, free of charge.

Call the workshop today on 03 9071 0166 to talk through the safest and most convenient option for you – we’ll take care of you and your vehicle, and have you starting smoothly first time, every time, in no time!

If your vehicle won’t start, it’s usually caused by a dying or dead battery, loose or corroded connection cables, a bad alternator or an issue with the starter. It can be hard to determine if you’re dealing with a battery or an alternator problem. Here’s how to know which one is the culprit.

Bad Battery Symptoms

If the cranking of the engine is sluggish, like your vehicle is harder to start on cold mornings, it starts inconsistently, or there’s no sound and interior lights when you try to start, suspect a failing battery, a loose or corroded connection or electrical draw. A low battery that has visible corrosion on the terminals is probably damaged.

If jumpstarting works, then you know you’ve got a battery problem. But you also need to figure out whether it’s simply at the end of its life or there are underlying issues. A dead or low battery can be caused by a failing alternator. It can also result from additional draw from auxiliary lights, fuses, sound systems, alarms and such.

Schedule a Free Battery Check

Signs of a Bad Alternator

Some of the things to look for are no-starting and trouble starting, dimming lights and problems with stereo system output. If your car starts but stalls when you’re underway, your battery is probably not being recharged due to a faulty alternator. A squealing sound coming from the engine that gets louder when drains like the heater or sound system are on may be your alternator bearings.

Another telltale is turning the AM radio to a low number on the dial without music, then revving the engine. If you hear a whine or the sound goes fuzzy when you hit the gas, your alternator is probably failing.

If the vehicle won’t crank or start but the headlights are still working, look to problems with the starter or other parts of the engine.

If you have a check-engine or battery indicator light illuminated on your vehicle, it could indicate a problem with an automobile charging system, or if your vehicle gets a jump-start and immediately stops running, it could be an indication that the alternator is malfunctioning. It’s important to bring this into a professional for a proper diagnosis.

What the Battery & Alternator Do

An auto battery supplies a big electric charge that travels through the starting system and turns some gears to start the car. Once the car is running, the alternator sends current back to recharge the battery as you drive. It supplies power for your car’s electronics when you’re underway and makes sure the right amount of charge goes back to the battery.

If Your Car Won’t Start

The common signs above should help pinpoint what exactly is going wrong.

If you’re not wanting to do your own diagnostics, get a jumpstart (and keep your vehicle running) and take it in for a technician to check your electrical system. Both the starting and charging systems should be inspected.

Battery checks on standard wet-cell batteries should include inspection of fluid level, the posts (the terminals marked + and -) for corrosion, and cables for snug connection and no corrosion.

An electronic battery test should be done, which gives more information than a standard load test. It measures the voltage and cold cranking amps (CCA). (Battery inspections and charges are free at Les Schwab Tires.)

The shop should also check the alternator’s voltage and current output and look for signs of bad diodes, the components that convert electrical current from AC (alternating current) to DC (direct current). If it’s time to replace it and your vehicle has been customized with power-hungry aftermarket accessories like a sound system, ask if you need a higher-capacity alternator.

If the alternator is working fine, the search for the problem will move to other parts of the starting and charging system.

Got a Bad Alternator?

It may have damaged your battery. Since the alternator regulates how much electric current gets fed back to the battery during recharging, the battery may have overheated due to overcharging. This shortens its expected life and can make it unreliable. Ask whether you need a replacement if you’re having alternator repairs done.

If it’s your battery that’s bad, it won’t damage the alternator.

Why is my car having trouble starting with a new battery?

Why does my car seem like it's struggling to start?