87 4kcsq: strange starting behaviour

["Mark L. Chang" <mchang@ece.nwu.edu>]

Okay, my Q started acting funny this past week.

Patient: 87 4kcsq (complete with logo'd interior! :>)

Symptoms:
After car has been sitting for more than 35 mins or so (like a short lunch
at Taco Bell time), a crank on the key gives me a _slow_ starter crank
(much slower than I am used to)... on the second or third "turn", the
engine roars to life just fine.  Doesn't really take longer than usual, it
just sounds a little _iffy_.

If I stop, shut off, and run out somewhere (say, to pick up dry
cleaning)... the starter spins nicely and the engine kicks in as per
usual.

Am I getting a dying battery here?  Any BTDTs?  What to check out -- I
know I should get an idea of the load while the car is off -- ammeter in
line from battery?

Thanks all,
Mark

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