Weird Starting Problem!

[hshift]

Hopefully someone here has a clue as to what is going on with my 99 GTP, 82K miles. Sometimes when I turn the ignition key to start, I get nothing except a click. Its not the click you get when you have dirty connections at the battery, but something else I think, like the starter is going to crank the engine, but quits after a spilt second. This problem NEVER happens when the car is cold, and the ONLY time it does happens is after it has been driven, and has been parked for 10-60 minutes. Overnight it ALWAYS starts in the morning, and after work it always starts as well, its only when I 'm out running errands, or drive somewhere to eat that it happens. like there is a window of opportunity for it not to start. Also, when it has failed to start in the past, I can ususally get it going by rapidly turning the key several times on and off. Once I do this and it is running, I can turn it off and it will start up instantly.

BTW, the starter is relatively new, as well as the battery, and there is no corrosion on any terminals. All my dash lights are functioning normally and there's no codes / SES light. The car runs good and mileage is good also.
Thank you for your help.
Ed

[maxwedge]

If you can get to the starter solenoid and check for 12v to the solenoid when this happens you can confirm if in fact this is the problem, was the starter replaced for this condition?

[hshift]

No, the starter was changed about a year ago when I was having starting issues which turned out to be battery related. The batt and starter are both under one year old. When I check the solenoid with a DMM, the positive probe should touch the solenoid, and the neg probe is grounded when I have someone try to start it, is this correct?

[ronjon_4]

I have a similar problem with my 94 grand prix se. It usually starts up the first time and it seems random when it decides not to. when you turn the key all the lights shut off and it seems like it just dies but sometimes after you try a couple of times it starts. Where should I start to diagnose this problem. Should I pull off the starter and get it tested? I put a new battery in it and it doesn't seem like a starter problem to me but any ideas will be helpful. THanks

[eippermx]

This is sort of a double thread. Here goes my 2 cents worth:
hshift - I agree with maxwedge. I am assuming you have for loose cables at the battery, fuse box, alternator, and the starter. Its also assumed you took voltage measurements at the battery, the fuse box, alternator, and at the starter and they have the same 12 plus volts readings. With the engine cold, a person to turn on/off your ignition switch, ground the negative probe on the engine block, and worm your hand from the top of the motor down with your positive volt meter probe resting on to the starter's ignition stud on the solenoid. You should see the 12+ vdc every time the ignition switch is cycled on in the run position. If you do, then swap the starter. Doesn't matter if the starter was new last year or not, there could have been a quality control problem where the starter was built, low quality components that were used to build it, etc and a problem is manifesting itself now. If you do not see a consistent 12+ vdc then it's possible the problem lies with the ignition connection itself at the starter or at the switch, the switch itself or an issue with the cable that feeds the 12 volts to or from the switch.
ronjon_4's problem: Sure does sound like you have a battery cable that is either slightly loose at either the battery or starter ends or a combination of a cable that has both corrosion and its slightly loose causing an intermittent connection that results in total power loss. One other place to look at is the cable for a loose connection at the fuse box located on the left side of the inner fender nearby the battery.

[ronjon_4]

I will check the battery cables and see if there is any bad connections. There is no corrosion on the terminals whatsoever. I was looking at it today and noticed that the starter had a partially exposed wire that looks like it connects the starter to the solenoid or whatever is attached to the starter. Not sure if that would cause the problem. Also all the lights come on when put in run position along with the fan. When trying to start everything dies and makes a weird buzzing noise. Don't know if that is any more info that helps with the diagnosis. Thanks for replying and for the info. I will check the battery cables tonight.

[ronjon_4]

Pulled the starter out and tested it and it checked out. Clean all connections and put it back together and still nothing. Battery good, starter good. Anyone have a next step?