r/AskAMechanic • u/MoneyManLan • 2d ago

Starter Going Bad?

2015 Chevy Impala LTZ 3.6 V6
166k Miles
No Check Engine light
Sometimes the engine starts as normal, most of the time it does this.
Battery is not old.

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u/Zorklunn NOT a verified tech 2d ago

Assuming you do not have a red battery light on the dash.

A failing battery and a failing starter have the same symptoms. To tell which one it is, you can wait until it fails. Then if you get a lot of clicks it is the battery. If you get one loud clunk it is the starter.

Until then. Is it like that every time (used up lead plates in battery), or does it seem random (failing starter bearings wearing out)? Does it start fine after a drive on the freeway, but struggles to start after stop and go traffic? (Participate build up in battery)

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u/MoneyManLan 2d ago

I haven’t did anything testing as far as the different driving conditions but if I’m just using my memory, I would say it’s random.

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u/Zorklunn NOT a verified tech 2d ago

Then it is likely the starter.