86 930 Starting Problem
 

Always starts instantly when just removed from battery maintainer. May or may not crank if it sits for a few hours or more off the maintainer. When this happens the key turns and there is zero sound of any solenoids or relays.
Any thoughts appreciated.

Thanks Larry

My initial thought is that you have a defective battery or a serious drain. The latter is less likely than a defective battery.

You may want to remove the battery and have it tested.

I am a huge Optima fan - In case you decide to buy a new battery.

Good luck!

Already checked that and found a .75 amp drain with the front cover light on. Since that's 9 watts, I figured the drain was not the issue. Also the battery is a brand new Interstate,

I still wouldn't rule out the battery. Get it checked to be sure.

Be sure to check all of the grounding points, and positive battery connection. Always, remove any type of charger from the battery before you try to start it! ALWAYS! Good luck!! Tony.

Based on the symptoms you described, the battery was the most obvious. If you have had the battery tested, then the following should be considered:

1 - Is the battery a correct one? Does it have the cold cranking amps needed?
2 - If the car starts with a freshly charged battery but refuses to start after an hour or so - Are the Alt & VR working correctly?
3 - Is it that a starter wire is getting hot after the hour or so of use and is then inop?

That's all I can think of for now....

Here's the punchline: Interstate megatron plus 85 month battery with a sulfated cell after 5 months of service.

Larry

I've had several "new" batteries go bad for no apparent reason, that's why I never trust the "it's a new battery" reasoning. To me, if all of the evidence tells me it's a bad battery then chances are, it's bad battery. Glad you figured it out.