'02 Taurus hesitating to start

[bradleyheathhays]

So this '02 Taurus with only 87k miles on her starts right up every time multiple times a day except for twice in the last 3 weeks. The first time was 3 weeks ago and the second was today. It happened the same both times. Turn the key and stop to let the pump prime, then when I turn to the start position the engine turns real slow and sort of in fits. Usually when a battery is low the engine turns slow but in rhythm. During my 2 starts the engine barely seemed to turn and the crankshaft rpm seemed to vary. On both starting events I let off the key and tried to start 2-3 times with rests in between. But then eventually on the 4th try it starts right up just as quickly as a normal start.

I have No clue as to what might be causing this. Only thing I know to do is, next time it does this to put a voltage meter on the battery to see if it's weak. Actually though, because both events the engine ended up starting up like normal that would indicate something other than the batt. Electrically this car is a little odd though. The interior light never comes on when the doors are opened, for years, and then last week it comes on twice when one of the rear doors is opened.

[Rob Mayercik]

Maybe the starter is getting weak, and has weak/dead spots on its commutator?

[JohnX]

Or dead spots on the solenoid....they normally use a big washer that moves to contact the battery cable to the starter motor. Contacts get burned up in a couple places maybe.

[bradleyheathhays]

Thanks for the info yall. After cleaning all connections I'll be bench testing the starter to see what's up with it.