Occationally my car starts up and it almost struggles to come alive. It'll idle rough and be between 500-700 rpm. If I flick the gas it runs fine and idles 700rpm.

It might happen one in 20-30 starts. It normally happens when I've driven somewhere, 10+ miles, and turn the car off. Then when I started in 5-10 minutes later I get this.

129K
Fully serviced
Fresh Battery (6 months old)

Thoughts?

 

Interesting, my car exhibits the same behavior every once in a while. The starter will turn the engine more than usual before the car comes up and when it does it idles very low and my lights may dim. Almost feels like it's gonna cut off, but everything eventually levels out.

rob-2, do you experience this: sometimes when the fan comes on (under the hood by radiator) the car jumps forward and lights dim for a split second? I've felt it might be electrical / battery-related but if you've only had your battery 6 months I'm starting to think alternator.

 

Interesting, I encountered this the other day. Turned it off right away, turned it back on and it acted as if nothing happened.

 

No, I dont experience that problem. My alternator was checked at the time of battery change and provides a strong charge.

Think it could fail quickly over the last 6 months?

I do A LOT of short trips now. 2-3 less than 2 mile hops.

 

rob- those short trips are killers on the battery- it uses a big shot of amps to crank the starter, then you barely get the car warm (another possible issue) and the alternator doesnt get run long enough to recharge the battery fully

Stop by zone or similar store for a free batt alt starter draw test- check the cables too

 

i get the same problem occasionally

 

Hey Tom,

Does that explain this?

Rob

 

not sure thats your entire issue but could contribute- take it in for a free test between rainstorms

 

per acura book- if driven less than 10 mile trips-
once a week take it on the freeway for 30 minute cruise to dry out the moisture from the exhaust and ps fluid
(and probably charge the battery full-IMO)

 

we do, sunday morning we drive about 20-25 miles. I'll get it checked in the coming weeks. Sometimes it just JUMPS to life an other times it acts up.