so sometimes, like every 4th or 5th time i start my car, it cranks but won't turn over. i noticed that when it won't turn over, the lights on my dash are really dim. if i take the key out, and turn it again, and the lights are bright, it starts right away. if they're dimmed down, it doesn't. they are dim with the key in the on position, before i even attempt to start it.

possibly related, once in a blue moon when i start my car, my voltage on the dash shows 8 volts, and when i rev the engine very slightly, it jumps to 14 and stays there. i have no power loss, no stalling, no problems whatsoever once the car is running.

 

Maybe you need a new battery, I doubt it's the alternator is the voltage goes up when running, but I'm dumb and know very little about cars anyway

 

well the voltage problem is odd. it will literally idle and say 8 volts forever, and when i just tap the gas, it immediately bumps up to 14 without hesitation. but the battery's only a few years old, and if i reset the key the car starts immediately without a problem.

 

I'll ask and post again if I find anything remotely helpful to say, otherwise just wait for one of the smart guys to post

 

here's a video of the problem... the first time i start it, it just cranks. i turn the key off and back on, and it starts right up no problem. you can see the lights dim the first time, and bright the next.

 

someone just said his problem was the altenator/voltage regulator