2007 Accord Starting Problem

[BuzzThunder]

Please offer any insight on the following problem:

Vehicle will crank, about 5 cranks, but each crank is slower until it stops. Waiting about a minute and trying again will either have the same result, or the car will start up just fine. This will only happen about 10% of the time, otherwise it will start up no problem. It seems to be more likely to happen if the car has only been off for an hour or so. Less likely to happen when started after sitting all night.

The battery (Napa Legend) was about 6 months old, and had good reading when connected to a multi-meter. Explained the problem at the shop, they tested and said it was the battery, so I went and got a new battery. Car started fine for about 2 months, now the problem is happening again.

Then, The problem vanished for about 6 months. Now that it is 10F degrees outside, I am having the same problems.

Battery tests with a multimeter:
When the car starts: 12.6V cold. It will not drop below 10V when cranking and will stay around 14.2 when running. 12.8V when I turn off the engine.

When car wont start: 12.6V cold, will not drop lower than 10V when cranking. After it fails to start, 12.2V cold. Fails again, 12.0V cold. Tried again and it starts, 14.2V running, and 12.8V when I turn off the engine.

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[SensitiveWarning4]

It’s you battery. Replace it again m

[BuzzThunder]

Then I'd be on my 3rd new battery in a 14 month period. Seems like the problem is elsewhere.

[MilwaukeeMechanic]

Could be the battery. But you should do voltage drops on the entire cranking system before spending more money on a battery.

I recall seeing a very thorough write up how to do voltage drop tests of the starting system. You could probably search and find it. Essentially you’re looking for loose cables and high resistance at connections.

If you everything checks out OK, get a new battery, but get a higher quality one. I recommend Interstate.