Intermittent problem with starting car

[jakeblake]

Hello everyone,

I have a 1997 SE that has been giving me a problem. When anyone but myself goes to start the car it doesn't turn over. Carwash, my girlfriend, etc.. I start the car by holding the key in the most forward position until it turns over/starts. Maybe 5 or 10 seconds longer than usual cars. Sometimes it won't turn over at all. I take the key out and I wait a couple of minutes and then I turn the key and it will start. This model does not have the chip/transmitter in the key itself. The car has a factory alarm and keyless entry. Now I was told this alarm is a factory model, it's a Checkpoint model.
Has anyone else had this problem? could it be the starter? could it be a bad connection in the key housing on the sterring column? could it be the alarm?
Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerly,
Jake

[lockemiester]

I had a simular problem. My starter would not engage into the flywheel. I pulled the starter and cleaned it out. At first you could force the sprocket out and it would stay there which it shouldn't. After a cleaning it worked great. Something to look into:smoker: