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Re: Random hard to start. 3.0 V6
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Posted by pme [Email] (#1496) [Profile/Gallery] (more from pme) on Sat, 28 Feb 2026 10:28:54 Share Post by Email
In Reply to: Random hard to start. 3.0 V6, ScottA, Sat, 28 Feb 2026 08:54:57
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A CPS is possible, but that usually manifests in a no-start when the car is hot.

From my experience with a 2003 V6, I will throw two things out.

(1) Battery - always the simplest and easiest thing to try when something electrical manifests itself.
(2) Positive battery cable. (This solved my similar symptoms). See below.

Years ago, I found that my car was exhibitions similar symptoms to you - long cranks without starting. Replaced battery, CPS, confirmed alternator and starter function and still would have the issue. Then looked more closely at my driving patterns to try to draw a correlation to when the issue occurred.

When I parked after my 30-40 minute highway commute, the next start was usually fine. The issue appeared most when I was restarting the car for the first time after a shorter drive (like when doing errands), or next morning if my last trip of the day was a brief one.

That pointed to the changing system not replenishing the battery efficiently on short runs, and needing the long run to accomplish that. Alternator was good, so the technician did a voltage drop test, under load, on the positive battery cable. Cable was bad; internal corrosion caused the cable’s conductivity to deteriorate so it no longer is carrying the full amperage required to refresh the battery’s charge.

Replacing that cable completely rejuvenated the car electrically. Starts fast, lights and dash lights are nice and bright, etc.

Just my experience.

~pme

->Posting last edited on Sat, 28 Feb 2026 10:32:03.

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