Okay, I have a 98 Bonneville, SE.

Ignition has always been flawless - instant start-ups.
For a week or so now, there'* some hesitation during
the crank up. Something like the old cars used to
experience on cold winter mornings. Slower turnover.
It hesitates, but starts up in a few seconds.

No dummy lights coming on. Battery indicator is fine.
Original battery.

After the car has run a few miles, if I shut it off and start
it up it'* fine - just like new. This just happens when it'* cold.

Any ideas. Electric or fuel?

Thanks!

Might be the batt loosing charge while sitting but then when started you charge it up and your fine til it sits again til morning :?

I vote electrical. First of all the Battery is 5 years old. That'* about the end of it'* useful life although some batteries do actually last 7 years. Since you mentioned it starts like it does on "cold winter morning". I'm guessing you don't live along the Space Coast in Florida. Besides the Battery, I would check to make sure that all your connections to the battery and the battery ground cables are all clean and free of corosion. There is also a slight chance that the alternator could also be bad, but I voting for the battery on this one.

id vote for a nice new battery. I have an Interstate battery in my car, Im not to sure how old it is but i did a test on it, with the car off it maintains 12.5 volts, and running it charges at 14.5 volts, so i think its good, but its the battery that was in there when i bought the car in May. Non the less ive had no trouble...well battery wise that is hehe

I've been out of town.

Thanks, guys for your input.

I'll go the new battery route. Just one other question. Would a fouled spark plug or two cause this same symptom? Or would that react differently.

I'd start with the Battery and then worry about the spark plugs. We're talk'n slow turn over when the car is cold, right? OK, so just when was the last time this car saw the end of a spark plug socket? For me, it makes absolutely no sense to just inspect the spark plugs. If I'm going to strain my back into getting the old plugs out, you can bet your *** I ain't putting the same ones back. For less than a couple of bucks each, I just replace 'em and see how the old ones were burn'n.

Spark plugs would not cause a slow crank, just slow to fire. It'* definitely the battery. I just got a 800 CCA at AutoZone for $75. (80 with core charge. I'm eating the 5 though, because the old battery was fine, but a 630 CCA it was too small)

fingerpuppet,

Totally agree with all the above statements about your problem being the battery.

Question: What type and weight of oil in your crankcase?

thanks again, everyone!

ol'timer - it'* not a smooth, slow crank - it'* kind of a catching/choking/stopping/staring/sputtering thing. LOL! It'* stars within 5 seconds, it'* just not smooth. It catches if that makes any sense.

bigred - I do those drive-thru Valvoline places and get the Durablend.


Thanks!

Getting a battery after work today.

We're looking forward to your report after you get the new battery installed. Make sure that whoever installs the battery, that they clean the cable terminals and apply some anti-corrosion preventative(grease or spray) to the terminal ends before they connect the new battery . I think(hope?) it will solve most of your starting probs.