My vehicle struggles to start. Symptoms present at what seems random and the rest of the time it starts up no problem. I turn the key and the motor turns over a few times without starting then stops turning over yet still sounds as if the ignition and starter are still functioning, just with out success. No grinding or clicking, but the very audible sound of the car trying to start remains, but with out the cyclical turning of the motor. If I continue to keep the key turned for several seconds it sometimes will turn over again and start sluggishly but not always. I replaced the battery and it had no effect. Any ideas?
Could be a loss of fuel pressure. Try turning the key to Run (not all the way to Start), back to Off and repeat this cycle a couple times. The fuel pump should run briefly each time you turn to Run - you may hear it. Then turn the key all the way to Start. Good luck and let us know how it goes.
I will try that… I should add that sometimes it presents the symptoms after having been run for any and all amounts of time. If it does it after the the engine has been running, shut off, and immediately then turned on can that rule out that possibility?
...the very audible sound of the car trying to start remains, but with out the cyclical turning of the motor.
If you feel that the starter is still turning, it could be the one-way clutch in the starter is failing. The fix would be a new starter.
I misread your “with out the cyclical turning of the motor.” If the engine (motor) is not actually turning over (spinning) some of the time, that does point to a starter motor not working reliably and/or damaged teeth on the flywheel. The starter motor, if running but not engaging the flywheel, should make a high pitched whirring/whooping sound. If you hear a buzzsaw sound, that’s starter motor damaging its teeth or those of the flywheel.