It's hard to here from the video but there is
1) grind noise as the engine's getting cranked
2) dome lights are flickering during the crank


To put down few other observations..
1) This issue is sort of on and off.. maybe once every 4 days or so... and been doing this for the past 4 months or so
2) I haven't run into any engine stalls during the drives since the issue started happening (possibility that this is not ignition switch issue?)
3) Sometimes, when I turn the key to ignition, I hear click,click,click and no sound (almost like stall/no response), then click,click and car starts (takes about 2 seconds from the point key turned to ignition until car starts.. and "no response" time is quite fast.. maybe 0.5 seconds or less) and I never let go of key from ignition until the car starts
4) Recently, it started to make some grind noise during crank when this problem happens
5) Most of the time, the car starts just fine and no issue like grinding or sign of battery flickering



-My spark plug was replaced less than 10k miles ago
-My battery, I believe, was replaced less than 20k miles ago


Any idea?

 

Either Cable / Battery or Starter. More than likely one of your battery posts is sulfated. Get a wire brush and sand paper and sand down the posts and the cable connection. After that, tighten them up real good and see if the issue occurs. If so, check the voltage and current to the battery while the car is on. If that checks out, it's probably your starter.

I have a DIY, I have been meaning to post. I'll reply back if it ends up being the starter. You say Grinding Yohan, but I don't hear it. I just hear the engine struggling a little bit to turn over. Definitely don't keep the key in the ON position too long or you will hear a grind from the starter spinning against the flywheel. Not nice.

 

majofo's answer =

 

I will check my battery post after work today. Will keep you posted on it.

 

maybe this is a better video

the scratching sound at the end is not because i held the key at ignition too long..
well.. i held it in cuz it didn't really start..
but is that what you are telling me not to do Majofo?

 

yes.. don't do that.

 

Actually it seems like it's grinding way too early after kicking over.. I guess I need to post that starter DIY sooner than later.

 

so you think it's the starter issue?

 

Rule out the battery and cables.. It's still a little early to judge.

 

^^^ yessir you need to post up a STARTER DIY....get started on it already LOL

 

Majofo..

What do you think about clutch switch? This guy whom I take my car to thinks it could be starter or it could be my clutch switch...

He wants to try bypass it to see if the problem goes away...

Any thoughts?

 

I doubt it.

 

I had the same problem as you. Same rough sounding start.

The other day I turned the key and...no noise...Battery was fine, but the car would not crank. I popped the hood and hit the starter a few times. Afterwards, the car started up normally without any grinding/rough sounds. I repeated it a few times and everything appeared normal.

I placed an order for a new starter from Tim @ oemacuraparts.com He's a vendor here and can get you a really good price.

Hopefully this solves your problem too.