car hard to start (turn over)symtom flat battery (but not )?

you seem to be a little busy spinning all around the mulberry bush. If you stop, and read what you wrote its clear as an opaque window, a slow roll indicates a possible dead cell at the very least, and your repeat attempts to force starter are going to burn that up next. you have a load tester great, or measure the voltage draw when cranking, if it bleeds off fast and drops below specs ifs likely the battery. Generally diesels have two in your case it would be wise to replace both if they are about the same age. good luck

I have a SAAB 9-3 2.2 Diesel same engine that is used in many Vauxhalls, I had a problem with starting due to perished spill pipes, loads of cranking needed before it would start, after it had been stood for a few hours, this took it's toll on the starter motor and it started to exhibit the same problems you mention, first off though take a jump lead an connect it to the negative of the battery and the block of the engine (making sure there is a good earth), if the turn over is improved then you have a bad earth, if not then it can only be,1) the power feed to the starter, loose connection from the battery or at the solenoid. 2) Bad solenoid. 3) Bad starter motor. I have a perfectly good starter motor with a burnt out solenoid attached, it seems you can not buy just the solenoid on its own any more. the bad connection in the solenoid meant while cranking it would get hot causing high resistance, thus getting hotter and in the end no cranking.

Hope this helps

Looks like you are sure the batteries are good so now you need to look at how the amps (not volts by the way, volts just push the amps) get to the starter. Battery terminals got to be clean sometimes you need to remove them to get inside that is where the contact is. Next are the wires. Do the ground wires from the batteries go to the engine block? If not look for a large wire going to the block and make sure it is clean. If all that is good then your starter is beginning to fail. Not unusual because of the high compression of the diesel engine.

If you're SURE it's not the battery (IE you've checked it with a voltmeter and done a soak test on it while cranking, rather than just thinking "it's a new battery and the radio still works") then it could be the starter seizing up or possibly the battery earth cable is loose or corroded. Does it get hot while you're trying to crank it?

If, when it does start, it misfires initially it is likely to be failing glow plugs. I assume you wait for the preheat indicator to go out before you crank the motor?

In spite of what you say about the battery, one in good condition would turn over the engine for quite some time before failing to do so. So, I would suspect glow plugs and/or the battery as the plugs need to glow bright straight away to ensure a quick start.

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You can have a fully charged battery but if you don't have the amps to push it won't start.your

battery needs all 12 volts to start it,when it stops turning by letting it set a wile it charges back

up a little.it could be your starter motor or even a loose cable on the starter.could be a solenoid

going bad also.as for points that is why i am on Yahoo Q/A and if my answer solves your problem

that's ok to vote someone else a best answer

the engine may be too cold to start put something hot under the engine be careful not to melt the plastic parts

Could be damp,it happens this time of year. Or you need new plugs. If it's damp,spray with WD40.........