slow ignition

[canadave]

In our 04 Vibe, it seems to take a little longer than our other cars for the engine to turn over. In our other cars, ignition catches pretty quickly, but it seems to take 2-3 seconds on our Vibe. In fact, the first few times my wife tried to start it up, the engine wouldn't catch, because she was turning the key only as long as she turns the key on our other cars.

Is that normal? If not, what would be the likely culprits?

[cq358]

starter did engage so i would look closely at da electrical side.

[canadave]

starter did engage so i would look closely at da electrical side.

Thanks Pardon my ignorance--I'm really, really clueless when it comes to cars--what, exactly, should I "look closely" at?

[Chiadog]

I think this may be "normal". My 05 Base with a relatively new battery cranks for 1-2 seconds before ignition takes place and the engine begins to run on its own. I have sped-up this crank time by "keying" the ignition on-off-on twice before engaging the starter. I believe this is giving extra "priming" to the engine before I engage the starter. In my opinion, this means my Vibe cranks for 1 second or slightly more BEFORE fuel hits the combustion chamber. I would guess this "timing" is a function of the ECU.
For comparison, a friends 2008 Dodge Caliper cranks for 3-4 seconds before firing and his wife's' 2002 chev Impala fires and runs instantly, fastest starting engine (3.8L V-6) I have ever encountered.

[canadave]

Interesting, thanks for the commentary.

If it WERE to be something "abnormal", though, could spark plugs possibly have anything to do with it? I'm just wondering, since I suppose it'd be fairly inexpensive anyway.

[beemerphile1]

Start by going to your local auto parts store and get a free battery load test.

[ColonelPanic]

Takes the '03 with a going on 7 year old battery a long time to turn over. Sometimes I end up accidentally letting off before it started out of habit from the other car starting so quickly. Then it's only that much harder to start.

I agree with the battery test. Give that a shot.

[Derf]

Agree with the other comments. Having several other cars, when I first got my 2005 Vibe, I found myself letting of the key before the engine started. I now know to keep the key turned just a bit longer on the Vibe. Battery in mine is only a year old, and when I charged it to full capacity still took a split second longer than the other vehicles.