delayed starting 2000 lesabre

[bap]

My Buick Lesabre is having problem starting. When I turn the key there is a vacuum noise from behind the dash display, then engine fires. No problem with battery according to the DIC (14.5V). Once engine is started there are no problems with idling or any warning lights of DIC monitored functions. Could this just be a bad battery? I'm assuming it's the original as I bought the car last year and it only had 28,000 miles

[LeSabre97mint]

Originally Posted by bap

My Buick Lesabre is having problem starting. When I turn the key there is a vacuum noise from behind the dash display, then engine fires. No problem with battery according to the DIC (14.5V). Once engine is started there are no problems with idling or any warning lights of DIC monitored functions. Could this just be a bad battery? I'm assuming it's the original as I bought the car last year and it only had 28,000 miles

Bap

When you hear this noise, do you smell anything hot? Do any of the lights dim? I'm thinking (and this is just a thought) that the sound you hear could be a bad electrical conection.

You need to find out what's making the noise. I don't think this is "normal" for a 2000.

Regards

Dan

[bap]

no unusual smell. I have daytime running lights so I assume I'm drawing more energy from battery to start the car. This morning, my wife was in car listening to radio on accessory while I was in the bagel shop for 10 minutes. When I went to start the car, the delay was even longer and it sounded as if the battery was anemic. Also, the security light stayed on after the car started. Thanks.

[LeSabre97mint]

Originally Posted by bap

no unusual smell. I have daytime running lights so I assume I'm drawing more energy from battery to start the car. This morning, my wife was in car listening to radio on accessory while I was in the bagel shop for 10 minutes. When I went to start the car, the delay was even longer and it sounded as if the battery was anemic. Also, the security light stayed on after the car started. Thanks.

Bap

On my 97 there is a ground stud near the battery that has caused many power probems when it gets corroded. First off, check to see if you have a ground stud in this area, second, if you do, take off the nut, claen up the terminals, put some diaelectric (spelling??) grease on to prevent feature corrosion.

I would be willing to bet this or another ground, may be your problem.

Regards

Dan

[imidazol97]

Have you looked at the battery itself and its cables? Have you looked at the green eye to see if it thinks the battery is fully charged?

Before you start the car is the battery showing 12.6 volts on the DIC. If reently run it may need to have headlights or something on for a minute or two before it drops to show that base voltage from the battery. Then after the motor is running you you show the 14.5 volts or something like that.

Having the radio on or the blower on for a few minutes and the starter sounding like it's not getting adequate current for cranking sounds like the battery might be nearing end of its life if it is the original.

[bap]

thanks for tips. checked the battery cables, ground and connections...very little, if any, corrosion. green eye of battery is visible. However, before I started the car, I checked the DIC and battery read 10.2V. Car started but it labored to do so...sounds like a new battery is in order.