# Odd starting problem: 02 Pathfinder

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/odd-starting-problem-02-pathfinder/65866>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [June 30, 2011, 5:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/odd-starting-problem-02-pathfinder/65866 "2011-06-30T17:49:38Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![goldyman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a9adbd/32.png) [@goldyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/goldyman)\
**Post date:** [June 30, 2011, 5:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/odd-starting-problem-02-pathfinder/65866/1 "2011-06-30T17:49:38Z")

</div>

Will try to sum it up: Most of the time, the thing starts like a charm, first try. Every now and then, though, I’ll turn the key and either a) nothing will happen or b) it will slowly crank and eventually start. If nothing happens, I have always been able to try again seconds later and everything works OK. Have been through several batteries. Current battery checks out OK, as does starter and alternator.

A short circuit, perhaps? If so, how would I check it out?

Problem with taking it to a mechanic is, most of the time all is OK. No pattern as to when the trouble will occur (has yet to happen with vehicle in the shop, of course).

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\
**Post date:** [June 30, 2011, 6:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/odd-starting-problem-02-pathfinder/65866/2 "2011-06-30T18:07:37Z")

</div>

Could be bad starter solenoid contacts, that’s what resulted in those symptoms with my ES300, at about that age.