So I've got a 94 integra GSR and it developed a problem when starting up. When I try to start it up the lights dim and it sounds like it's cranking very slowly and then it fires up fine and it's good to go after that. I figured starter or battery and I tested the starter at Kragen and Autozone and they both told me it failed. I replaced the starter and the first couple of times it fired up fine and then went back to doing the same lights dim and slow cranking thing again.

I think it may be the battery or cable related... any ideas? Can't do anything today because of the rain

 

how old is the battery? it may just coincidentally be on its way out, too.

check the ground from the neg battery terminal and make sure it's a clean connection.

 

The battery is about a year and a week old... I plan to pull it out, clean and tighten terminals and see if anything changes... I'll also make sure to check the ground connection too.. thanks!

 

sounds like battery to me..

 

same problem with my car.... its the battery

 

do you have a multimeter??? if so, after driving, leave the car sit overnight . put the meter on the battery the next day before starting to see what the voltage is. anything under 12 volts probly means the battery sucks, and you need a new one. i just went through the same thing on my civic. the battery would read about 11.7 volts in the morning, and after i changed the battery it would read high 12 low 13 volts. if you dont have a multimeter....THEN GO BUY ONE. theres no reason not to have a meter if you do your own work. it is an invaluable tool and a cheap one can be purchased for less than 20 bucks.....sure it wont be the best most accurate meter, but anything is better than nothing.........if you're even too cheap to buy a meter, then at least go have the battery charged/tested somewhere (usually free at autozone) and drop it back in. chances are if the battery IS bad, it will start great the first couple times, then it'll go right back to its crappy cranking again. you might want to have your alternator checked too, (usually free at autozone too) just for good measure.

 

The multi-meter is a great tool. I just used it recently during a cold snap in the weather, which always seems to bring out the best in a weak battery. I tested my battery like the previous poster did, 11 something volts, then had it tested and it was bad. The new battery was over 12 volts for sure.

You can also test the alternator with the same setting on the multi-meter. When the car is off, a healthy battery I think should read 12 volts or alittle more, but while running with a good alternator, the voltage will now read over 13 usually. If you don't get an increase in voltage while the car is running, then the alternator is probably going out. Then just pull the negative cable while the car is running to see if it dies, if it does, definitely crapped out alternator. Can anyone confirm the voltages, cause I am just giving my observations with my car.

 

Thanks for the tips guys... the rain let up at around 5ish and I was able to pull the battery out and had it tested at Pepboys. It was reading between 9 and 10 volts which the guy told me was a failing battery. He said batteries in the 12-14 range are usually good to go but it was also the same guy who incorrectly tested my starter, but he had someone else watch him do it ... I saw a couple of multi meters there in the 20-40 dollar range and will probably pick one up when I've got the cash.

The battery is still under warranty from Sears so hopefully that will fix the problem. Keep ya posted...

 

they will most likely not replace it for you, but will probably give you a little off a new battery. battery warranties are usually prorated.