Recently, my car has been having a very difficult time starting. The problem is there whenever I wanna start it and it makes no difference what time of day it is.

Basically, I turn the key and it starts turning over REAL slow, then progressively gets faster and finally starts, but then it dies. I have to take the keys out, open and close the door so all the systems turn off, then try again. The second time around again it cranks slow, but a little faster than the first time. Giving it a little gas helps it start a little easier. After it starts, my radio is reset and I assume the PCM is as well.

I thought it might be the IAC motor (AutoTap was reading 0 counts all the time) so I replaced that and it was working fine for a week or two, but it started up again. I have a carputer installed so I removed the power to that thinking it might be causing extra drain on the battery, but that made no difference.

Could it be a bad battery? I can't have the radio or anything on for more than a minute before the battery starts going deeeep into the red zone at which point when I try to start it, it clicks letting me know there isn't enough power to start at which point I have to get it jump-started.

I was also thinking that it might be a bad starter?

The battery is an Optima red top and I have drained it completely before on accident - could that be it? I was told with the Optimas it makes no difference if it's been drained completely and that it should work just as good as new when charged back up.

Could it also be my alternator?

I dunno there seems to be a bunch of stuff that could be wrong with it. If anyone could help me out I'd really appreciate it.

The car has basic boltons.

 

If you aren't sure if the battery's bad or how to test it, you should be able to get the battery (possibly also the alternator) tested for free at AutoZone or a similar store.