Scotty,
I have a 2009 Honda Element, automatic transmission, 187,000 miles. Lately it sometimes acts like the battery is dead or dying when I start it. Barely cranks. Some time it won't start and each time you turn the key it cranks less until....nothing. Wait a minute and try again and it cranks normally and starts right up. Took it to my favorite shop, who have been great n the past, and they said it sounded to them like an electrical problem unrelated to the starter. They were unable to replicate the issue while they had the car. They recommended another shop known for excellent work on electrical issues. The second shop said my description of the problem led them to think it IS the starter. The cost to replace the starter is about $500 and I don't want to do it unless I'm pretty sure it's the problem. I also don't want to get stuck chasing electrical gremlins that might not exist. In the meantime I've borrowed my girlfriend's car b/c I don't want to get stuck somewhere if the car just won't start some day, and she's getting testy about it. Scotty, help me keep domestic peace! I'm the second owner and as far as I know the starter is original. Have you ever run across this problem before, and if so, what was the answer?
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did anybody load test your battery?
If the battery is fine, then it does sound like a bad starter or wiring. You could try using booster cables to bypass the car wiring and test the starter directly. It sounds like the mechanics you went to are useless, or you asked them the wrong thing.
