[sionnsar]

If the vehicle is slow starting in the morning, when everything is cold, but performs well at other times during the day, that is an indication that the battery may be getting weak.
But if the vehicle is hard starting even when it is warm, and the battery should be well charged, that is an indication that the starter is beginning to fail.

That's the analysis I've been applying.

Unfortunately, they can occasionally fail in a rather catastrophic manner, as I learned recently, taking some of the electrical systems and electronics with it.

Yikes! Short-circuit flyback effect?

[NicknamedBob]

"Short-circuit flyback effect?"

I didn't know what to call it, but it took out a lot of stuff. I had to have the vehicle towed to the repair shop.

After I got it back, with a new starter in it, and other repairs, a few days later it wouldn't start again.

I thought, 'oh no, another tow bill!', but then I remembered ... I shorted the solenoid connection to the starter cable, with the ignition on, and started the car. Then I drove it to the repair shop, so they could fix my car that wouldn't start. (Bad siolenoid cable)

[sionnsar]

Car's in good order again. It was the battery.