Any ideas what that might be ? It happened to me 3 times in last month.
I will turn on the key, all lights will come up, but car won't even crank a little. All I hear is some sort of sipping sound (like drinking from a straw when you glass is almost empty) After several attempts, it starts normal.
Car Sentra'01 GXE 1.8, 90K miles on it.
Apparently not getting enough voltage to the starter (assuming it's not the starter). Could be the battery, dirty, corroded battery connections, loose connection at the starter terminals, etc. One way to help pin your problem down is to get a good check of your battery. It's a standard test where they load the heck out of it and it has to be able to maintain voltage and current requirements. Just tell the shop you're not sure if you need a battery and if it can be checked out. Then there is the starting system check--You need one of these because one night when you're out in the boondocks it won't start at all. MLD
Battery and connections are fine.
Check the connections to the starter. Make sure they are tight and clean. Also check the ground connection to the engine.
If all those are fine, bring a piece of 2x4 and hammer with you. Next time it happens, put the piece of wood on the starter and whack the wood with the hammer. No need to hit it hard - just enough to shock it.
See if it now starts. If so, your starter is most likely on its way out.
Remco
Good suggestion--that's exactly what happened to me some years ago. Had to whack it from underneath but it got me started. MLD
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