I have a 2007 Honda Civic LX with about 103000 miles on it. It is in general good condition. However, intermittently when I try to start the car in the morning it does not start up until I try to turn the key 3-4 times. For the first few tries the engine can be heard barely turning over by the starter before stopping after just 1-2 seconds. I try again a few times and then it finally starts after 3 to 4 tries. It seems to behave similar to when the battery is old/drained but if it was the battery I would not expect it to work after 3-4 times. Besides, the battery is new. I actually have tried two new batteries and same behavior. After the car starts and I drive for 20 miles it has no problem starting up again in the afternoon after sitting all day. However, it seems to occur more frequently when the car has been driven only 1-3miles the last time and then sitting for a few days. Starter dying? Is there anything I can do (measure voltages/current draw with a multimeter?) easily without having to pull the starter out to have it tested?
The first thing to do is have the battery tested using a battery conductance tester.
If the battery tests good, then the starter should be tested for excess current draw using an inductive amp probe.
This is expensive equipment that most DIYer’s don’t own or wish to spend money on
That’s why it’s best to just bring it to shop and pay them a diagnostic fee to determine what’s causing the problem.
For all we know, it could be a poor connection between the battery and the starter, or a parasitic current draw on the battery.
Tester
If you want to check some things out, first place I’d go is every electrical connection in the starter system, like @Tester mentions. Also see if there’s any internal corrosion in the battery cables (any swelling or other issues).
Agree with both above post, also make sure your battery terminals are tight, should not be able to “twist” them by hand…
Just because it is a brand new battery, or a almost new battery doesn’t mean it isn’t a defective battery…
Corrosion can build up on the battery cable(s) not just the battery and terminals, so look closely…
And check both the chassis and most importantly here, engine ground(s). Your ground strap/cable could be rotting away.
A bad connection can do this because the resistance creates voltage drop which creates heat and metal expands, makes better contact…