Turning over trouble

2014 ACURA TSX
58,000 MILES • 4 CYL
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JEFF GREENE
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Battery and alternator test fine, but often it struggles to turn over before actually starting. A couple of times I just got a "clicking" sound and it wouldn't start at all. However, It will start and run with a jump. All auxiliary lights, etc., don't seem to dim to indicate battery issues. Any ideas? Maybe bad starter.
Jul 13, 2019 at 6:26 PM
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KASEKENNY
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Hi Jeff,

How did you test the battery? The reason I ask is because everything you described is a caused by a weak battery.

The lights going dim are one of the last things that happens because they don't require as much voltage as the starter does to operate. The give away is the fact that it starts just fine when it is jumped.

Here is a guide that walks through the type of test that we need to do. It is called load testing. Most parts stores will do this free of charge.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

My wife's car is doing the exact same thing right now. It is slow to crank and sometimes it takes a couple times of cranking in order for it to start.
It has 12.5 volts when you measure the voltage on the battery but the cold cranking amps is very low. The cranking amps is the key number and the only way you can get that number is by testing the battery as described above.

Let me know what happens and we can go from there.
Jul 14, 2019 at 6:48 AM
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JEFF GREENE
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Hey KaseKenny,

Yea, got the battery tested at AutoZone then again a week later at advanced. Both tested alternator and battery to be okay. At Advanced as we speak. They are charging the battery so I can at least take it in to the Honda shop and find out what, if anything is draining the battery.
Thanks again.
Jul 15, 2019 at 11:22 AM
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STRAILER
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Can you please shoot a quick video with your phone so we can see what's going on? that would be great. You can upload it here with your response. It sounds like a weak battery to me too.
Jul 15, 2019 at 11:23 AM