Hello I have a MY02 s2000 with about 130k miles ive had it for a quite short time, about 2 months. The car is my daily and has never gave me any problems whatsoever and I have been babying it. Well coming back from work I went back to my car to go get something to eat and well what do you know I turn the key all the way and press the start button and literally nothing happens. However after a few tries the car will crank sort of and then will crank all the way and start and runs and idles just fine. Also previously on really cold mornings the engine would make a grinding sound sort of like the start is stuck like this video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2HaZwPGJuM Here is a video of me attempting to start the car https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhzQICHhGoI Does anyone have an input on this? Could it be the starter? Thanks for your time and any feedback.

 

Status of the battery?

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Ok so I checked the fuses and the battery. The negative battery terminal seemed to be loose so I tightened it and it seems to be "better". I'll see how it is in the morning.

 

So it did it again this morning but it starts no problem just takes a few tries at the engine start button. I read in another post that this happened to someone but it turned out to be an aftermarket alarm that was cutting into the starters power supply. The last owner of the car also installed an aftermarket alarm. But I have no idea what it looks like or where it is. I have checked under around the e brake area and found this see through box, it has a sensitivity adjust on it so I think it's the alarm I was going to remove it but wanted to make sure it was an aftermarket alarm before I mess up my car all the wiring and stuff. Anyone have any input on this?

 

http://tinypic.com/r/fn4ns5/8

 

How did the battery test?
Sounds a whole lot like a bad battery, or you could be in need of a new negative battery cable (autozone 2gauge $8)

 

Umm......start with the easiest thing; test the battery!

 

I'm going to take it to autozone and get it tested after work. Does anyone have any idea of what that box is I showed in the picture?

 

Seems like weak starter to me.

 

Alright so it I took it to advance auto parts and here are the results as stated on the print out. The battery is good and so is the starter the only thing that seems to be the problem is the alternator which says it has "excessive ripple" Does anyone know what this is? and whats steps to take next? I also am still trying to figure out what that clear little box I found is lol. Thanks for your guys help.

Battery Good
Voltage: 12.8V
Measured: 553 CCA
Rated:500 CCA
Temperature: 48F

Starter test Cranking Normal
Voltage: 11.33V
Amps: 131.8A
Time: 703ms

Charging System test results "excessive ripple"
No Load: 14.54V 1.5A
Loaded: 14.10V 1.0A