Problems starting 2006 Nissan Xterra...

[RMB]

We have a 2006 Nissan Xterra with 103,000 miles on it. A few days ago my wife complained that it was sluggish when starting in the morning. That afternoon it wouldn't start at all. It was doing the typical clicking noise associated with a dead battery. Took the battery to have it checked, and they said it was still good. I cleaned all the terminals and plugs associated with the battery, put the battery back in, and it cranked. At the moment, it cranks, although it's sluggish. I don't mean it's running sluggish, I mean it takes the starter longer than usual to crank it. The first couple times you crank it when you first go out there, is when it's the most sluggish, and the needles on all the gauges will flicker back and forth. After about five starts it seems to clear up. Although I haven't had it tested, I don't think it's the alternator, because it seems like the battery would have died again by now.

Could the battery still be good, but close to dying, alternator, starter?

Thanks,
Rob

[first time builder]

Drive it to a Advance Auto (if you have one) they can test the entire system for you and its FREE ! Could be the starter, but if the battery is from 2006 its time to replace it !
Kenny

[RMB]

Ok, I didn't know they could test it if you drive it up there. I was thinking I was going to have to remove the alternator and starter to have them tested. It's not the original battery, this one is just over two years old.

Rob

[first time builder]

Any update on the System check out ?