Like many I have dealt with a slow crank on a hot start pretty much since one year of ownership until now. So that is for about 3.5 years. 1.5 years ago the dealership replaced the battery under warranty for this issue. That kicked the can down the street for about a year. So, for the last 6 months I've been dealing once again with slow cranking on a hot engine.
I saw four paths to follow to attack this problem:
- add a new ground cable
- replace the starter
- replace the battery again
- sell the car
I decided last week to take the path of least resistance and add a new ground cable. So, I spent $40.00 to get one from Lethal Garage. I didn't have high hopes but miracles of miracles - it worked. I have driven the car about 8 times since adding the cable and I have not had anything even close to a slow crank on a hot engine. I have tried to make it happen by adding in short stops with each drive. Today I had four short stops and restarts in one trip. It cranked fine every time. Prior to adding the new ground cable I wouldn't have dared try that! Its the best $40.00 I have ever spent on this car.
If you too are dealing with this - I highly recommend you try adding a new ground cable.
Here is a cold start:
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https://youtu.be/n8Honktafms]
Here is the first hot start:
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https://youtu.be/Z_cqf_TfAm4]
Here is the second hot start:
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https://youtu.be/nyA-AfeJCmk]
I didn't add videos for the 3rd and 4th hot start as they were the same as the first two.
This video shows where I added the new ground cable:
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https://youtu.be/x1Q0s1vw9a8]
Edit: I just went back and listened this video and realized I failed to mention that the engine bolt I used is part of the serpentine belt system. I didn't take the bolt all the way out. I just loosened it and then cut a small piece out of the ear of the lug and slid the lug under the bolt and tightened it down. If you take the bolt out all the way you will lose tension on the belt.
Update 12/30/20: With the saying in mind that if one is good then two would be better - I added another ground. This time I took on the other end of the car and added another ground from the battery's negative post to the floor of the trunk. This cable is a little smaller (2.0 guage) and I bought it off of Amazon for $14.00. I placed the body end of the ground on a unused threaded stud sticking up out of the trunk floor (look to the lower far left in the photo). I have no idea if another ground is helpful and needed . I just added it for peace of mind - plus it was easy and cheap.
Please pay attention to the edit I added with the last video on cable location for the engine ground. Do not remove the belt tensioner bolt I used. If you do you will lose tension on the serpentine belt. Instead cut a small piece out of the cable's terminal lug making it look like a U and then slide it under the bolt. You can back that bolt out enough to slide the lug under it and tighten.
I continue to have normal starts whether the engine is cold or hot.
