From time to time I have trouble starting my car. It will start, but it almost seems like the battery is really low. At other times it fires like a champ! Not to long ago, I had to jump my car which has never happened. I also noticed when I'm having work done to my car and will be parked for several weeks (3-4) the battery will die. I've been guessing its bad ground. Any thoughts?

 

3 to 4 weeks isn't bad, try that with a late model

As far as the hard starting, you might have a weak battery, (which would explain the battery going dead also) but my first thought was that your timing might be too advanced. This would generally make for harder "hot starts" from time to time anyway.

Another common issue might be loose or corroded battery posts, or poor ends on the battery cables. I have had more than a few "parts store" cables that look perfectly good to have poorly installed terminals, and sometimes the "parts store" cables are just crap that look ok, but are thin wires with thick insulation so they look right but don't work right...

 

the battery is Optima red top- about a year old. Post are clean and tight. Ill have to check my timing once I get my drivetrain in and running. What about bad ground? Can this cause this issue? If so how can I get better ground?

 

hiya,

you can check the obvious ground:
- at selonoid bolted to inner fender
- battery to chassis
- chassis to engine

when it's hard starting, is it related to engine tempreature?

Kalli

 

the temp has always stayed 180*
now how can i find out if im getting good ground from
- at selonoid bolted to inner fender
- battery to chassis
- chassis to engine

 

Go have the battery checked. All the big auto parts chains will do it for nothing in the hope you'll buy whatever is needed from them. And check that timing.

 

- at selonoid bolted to inner fender
- battery to chassis
- chassis to engine
just visual checks.

a) make sure the selonoid is properly bolted to chassis
b) there should be a ground cable straight from battery to engine (usually front of engine passenger side on head). good connectiosn and good cable
c) there should be another ground cable from rear of engine passenger side to firewall.

with temperature I meant. do you have problems only when car cold, or when car warm or when car switched off for 5 mins after it has been running at operating temp and then starting again

 

yes i sometimes have problems with temp. when cold I have to rev for a while so it can warm up and stay on, otherwise it will just turn off. Warm days it start easy but it has its days when it seems like the battery has no juice. same when its been running and i turn off then on again.

 

Another thing you could check is the belt. Make sure it isn't too loose, if you can turn the fan/waterpump or the alternator pulleys by hand the belt needs tightening.