2001 hard start

Just happened randomly the other day, did a little search and it seems like it may be the fuel pump check valve??

It has a very labored crank. If i prime the fuel pump for a couple seconds it starts up quicker, but it is still very weak. Despite this, it runs great....

i'm thinking check valve or starter, but i'm not sure how to check for a bad starter??? The dash lights dim considerably now when starting (more so than they used to), which made me think starter.....

Labored crank--battery, cables, starter/solenoid.

Pull the battery, charge it, have it load tested. While the battery is charging clean both ends of both cables.

oddly enough it was the battery, even though it was only a few years old....

Yeah, they will sneak up on you, hopefully you had some prorated warranty left.

At least it went now and didn't wait for a Winter cold start and strand you.

Good luck.