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Strange...
I tried to start it today, and it did. Barely... But it did start.
Then, I went out this evening to try to rule out other possibilities. I hooked up a set of jumper cables to another car and tried it - cranked up and started happily... 5 times in a row. Then I removed the cables and it started up again a few more times with no sign of problems...
So I have a new theory. I think the starter is probably OK, but I think my excessive Engine-Off Coasting is draining my battery. I almost always bump-start, but I sometimes have to run the headlights (coming home from late nights), and the alternator DOESN'T ACTIVATE RIGHT AWAY after starting the car.
So I think what's happening is I'm not getting enough juice back into the battery to run the accessories while the engine is off, and the ignition/engine before the alternator re-energizes after a bump-start.
And when I say excessive EOC, I mean it. I ONLY have the engine on for acceleration - about 25-50% of the drive it is OFF.
It's an old-ish battery too (~3-4 years), so it might not be up to snuff anymore.
Am I totally full of crap, or might I be on to something here?
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