2004 CRV Start issue

Question

Basically each time I turn the ignition, one of three things happens:

1. Car starts with no issues
2. Starter cranks but engine doesn't start
3. Starter doesn't crank at all (but e.g. dash lights will go dim, suggesting power is being diverted somewhere)

The crazy thing is, I can get all three of these in one sitting. Just now I got scenario #2 two or three times, then scenario #3 about three times, before the car started.

The battery is two years old. I never get the starter clicking noise that typically indicates a nearly dead battery. It usually starts eventually, though it could be after a minute or two of trying. I cleaned the battery contacts in an attempt to remedy, had no issues for a week, but now it's back pretty regularly.

Mostly I don't understand how the car goes from cranking, to not cranking, to starting.

Answer 1

It appears to have been the starter. Eventually it didn't start at all, and I replaced it, which I was hesitant to do since it was under the intake manifold. Battery is fine, I'm guessing some internal component of the old starter was failing, possibly increasing the internal resistance, since it seemed to start better with an additional power source connected to the battery.