Guys, I'm new in this forum. Just wanted to ask you the following question: My honda accord has 145000 miles on it and bought it used two weeks ago. For the last two days, in the morning it cranks slowly like on a dead battery but then for the rest of the day it cranks just fine. Got the battery and alternator checked, they both are good. I know it will happen tomorrow as well. What could be the problem? Any help would be appreciated.

 

Are you having to get it jumped to get it started.?
Sounds like a slow drain overnite is getting it..

 

If you have a trickle charger, keep battery charged overnight. If this eliminates problem, you have a weak battery, likely 1 shorting cell.

Another way is to get a Equus battery voltage monitor (see below) and watch battery voltage on morning starts. If significantly below 12 volts (11-11.5 v) the battery has problems.



It is also possible the starter contacts are weak and not passing enough current to enable strong starting turnover. This will usually get worse w/ time, resulting in only solenoid clicks w/o engine turnover. Repeated start attempts will overcome in early stages.

good luck

 

So far I have'nt had the need to jump start it, however it cranks weakly only the first time in the morning.

 

While I'm thinking electrical/battery is still the top candidate for causing the problem, another thing to consider is the oil; it could be that the viscosity is too high. The spec for oil for your engine is 5W-20, that means that any oil with 0W-20 or 5W-20 is acceptable, any oil with a "10W" (or higher) or a "-30" (or higher) is considered too thick for your engine.

 

You might be right. I got the oil change few days ago and after that the problem started. They put 5W-30 oil, so you think that might be the reason for causing slow cranking? It happens just once in the morning and after that no problem at all. Today the weather was not that cold in the morning and the car started with better cranking, still not the best though.

 

We may have a winner here; if it tends to be cold in your area over night then I'd lean toward using 0W-20 (which is what I use in our Honda and Mazda).

 

Being you are in the Baton Rouge area, I don't think the oil and temp in the am have anything to do with this.

When Shipo means cold...think of something less than zero.

 

Good call, I didn't know we were talking about the balmy nights in Baton Rouge, I thought we were talking about Edmonton or some place like that.

 

Same problem exists even though they replaced the battery. There is something else wrong, still need to figure it out. I appreciate your suggestions.