It just started to happen yesterday afternoon with my 1997 Camry LE. Normally the car cranks fine when I turn ignition key switch. Then yesterday there was a "hesitation" in the cranking, but then a second later it caught and the car started. I figure that was weird, so I shut it down. Turned it on again, and this time it cranked like normal again.

Then this morning, it was the same exact thing, except the "hesitation" was a little more worse. Then I drove around a little bit, stopped for 30min, then turned on again, it started normal. I'm wondering if tomorrow it'll happen all over again.

Does this sound like the battery is not being fully charged, or maybe cannot hold a charge anymore? But if it's not fully charged, then I don't know why the cranking problem disappears when starting soon after the initial start. Any ideas? I do know that my battery has been pretty old, at least 6 years old.

It does sound like the battery is getting weak. Six years is a pretty long time for a lead/acid battery.

Two suggestions still come to mind. First get one of theose cheap battery terminal cleaners with an internal and external brush. They are available at most auto parts stores for a couple of dollars. Clean both the battery posts themselves and the cable ends until they are shinny clean. Just remember to remove the negative cable first and reinstall it last. This is just a safety precaution.

Second, many auto parts stores offer free testing of the battery and charging system while still on the car. Call around to auto parts stores in your area and ask if they offer this free service. When you find one that does, take your car in to them and have the battery and charging system checked out.

Mike