[lakesidepark]

bad positive cable from starter to battery? I've seen a few threads here that talk about this cable going bad. It gets a good workout since the alternator cable runs from the alt. to the starter (meaning the starter cable also carries charging current sometimes in reverse direction from starting current). Cable also gets a lot of engine heat since it runs in the wireway in the front of the engine right below the timing belt cover. If the cable has broken down and got corroded inside it may not carry a high-amp load without dropping voltage due to high resistance.

I might expect other problems if this is the case since it may not charge as effectively and may cause low-voltage faults (i.e. the same symptoms seen when a multifunction module is failing). You did not note any other problems but things like radio failing, trunk and fuel door release failing, interior lights not coming on, etc. could be a symptom of this. I am also assuming there is no abnormal noise during cranking, just a slow crank like a dying battery, and since the engine runs normally, no abnormal engine load.

Not sure where the starter is but thinks its on the passenger side at bottom of engine (toward the rear near the trans bell housing).

I've been planning to run my alternator straight to the battery and also replace this cable with a higher gauge to prevent future problems (like I read elsewhere in the forum).

Starter bench test may be the best way to confirm the starter is failed - from a mechanic's point of view this can be risky since he must perform half the labor just to get this far, and an intermittent failure may disappear on the bench meaning re-installing a bad part (now double the labor plus part to fix the problem). He must make a decision based on the quickest and most likely fix to the problem so he will eliminate the obvious, then replace the most likely failed part. He doesn't want to see you again in two days for the same problem either (if he gives a crap about it).

To save a buck or two, eliminate the cheaper problem first (confirm the cable is good or bad; make sure all available battery capacity is being applied to the starter); then remove the starter for a bench test at your local autozoo.