Hard to start

Hi, My 99 silverado 4x4 ext. cab is getting increasingly harder to start. I seems as though it is having trouble turning over. Once it turns over it seems to be OK. I have a 2 year old optima red top battery. It seems to do this when the weather is 60 degrees or below. I have 96200+ miles on it. Could this possibly be a starter or battery problem?
Thanks,
ecnar

Crap where are you that it still gets below 60° out?!? That's awesome (90's here in Texas). Anyway, almost sounds like the battery, but it doesn't sound right- an Optima only lasting two years. I doubt it's the starter. It may be fuel related - pump, filter, etc. Any hesitation at all when it's running?

Could be a alternator not charging. A battery going bad. Loose battery terminals. Starter going bad. Test voltage and amperage.

Are you saying that the engine is actually turning over slow or that its taking a long time to fire up (extended crank)?

If your starter is turning slow and you have an Optima powering the system. Regardless if its an Optima or not, its still an electrical device that can go bad when ever it chooses to. So first, check the battery (voltage and load test)

check the alt output and load test the alt.

check for voltage drop between the battery and the starter.

Many people dont think about this but a starter needs a ground too. That is made through the body being bolted against the block. Make sure its tight and that you dont have a bunch of gunky oil leaking all into it. If so, remove the starter and clean the gunk off the matting surface and mounting bolts.

Check the ground lead on the battery.

After you check all that and if you are still having the same problem, it could be your fuel regulator.. it can cause delayed starting as well. but usually only when the engine is warm. but would be worth taking a look at.

Yeah I would check the fuel pressure in the system. Could be related to fuel pressure regulator, fuel pump ect. A simple pressure test can tell you a lot.

If it seems like a slow dragging starter it could be the battery cable. Your best bet is to go to a parts store that will test your battery, alternator and starter for you in the truck so that you won't be just throwing money at the problem. Many of the major part suppliers will do this service for free.

Thanks for the advice. I had the battery checked and it was OK, the parts store guy suggested that I may need a higher amperage alternator because I have a stereo system with amplifiers. I will try testing the other components tommorow. The truck has actually started OK today.
Thanks,
ecnar