PontiacBonnevilleClub.com

I have a 96 Bonne, 3.8, 242k that has developed a problem that I think may be a starter but I'd like to see if anyone out there has any ideas.
Normally I have no problem starting the car. However,It is slow to start, cranks slow (like a dead battery) only when I have been driving a lot, like heavy traffic, etc and when I turn it off, then try to start it again a min later it cranks very slow. It has always started but it may take a minute or so before it will catch.
I'm thinking my starter is going. I checked and it doesn't seem to have a heat shield and I haven't been able to have the starter tested so it may be that. But with the way cars are today (I'm 69, an old alley mechanic and too old be be crawling under the car anymore) the problem may be anything.
Anyone out there have any suggestions? I'd appreciate any help you can give.

What about your alternator? Is it charging?

Check the positive cable first, make sure this is clean as well as the negative and the grounds..

Once the cables check out, the battery is fully charged see if it still drags when warm.. May not be a bad idea to have the battery load tested while we are at it.. 250 amps will hardly turn the motor over, if its dropping that low under load its bad.. Beyond that it could be a tired starter..

Problem solved. It was the alternator. It gave out (lots of noise from the alternator) yesterday just as I was coming around the corner 2 blocks from my house but only one block from my mechanic.
I swear this car has some kind of soul. I was just coming home from work, a trip of 38 miles, all highway but it chose to give out a block away from my mechanic. Strange, that's at least the second time this car chose the perfect spot/time to break down. Funny thing though, I never saw any sign of problems on the gauge. I must not be reading it right.

Problem not

Problem not quite solved--yet... I replaced the alternator but it still has a hard crank when hot. Slow crank, very slow, but it will start. This only happens when it has running for a while and I have to stop (shopping for a few min). Then it cranks VERY slow, then starts. But it never happens after it has had time to cool off. Starter???? I can't think of anything else.

Pull the starter and battery and get both tested sounds like the battery is getting saturated with heat and its draining when its hot