:iagree:

The starter is spinning and the engine is engaging. Sounds like it not spinning fast enough.

When does the starter just spin?

Check the condition of the battery, and don't try jump starting the X because that can leave to other problems. Either recharge the battery or replace the battery.

:iagree: I just replaced the original battery on my 05. It had 102k on it. The symptoms were slow, and long cranking before it would start.

I would first try to do what upallnight suggested with the starting fluid. Doesn't seem like its the battery, it should of started with those cranks. Sounds like it had enough juice to start. Check the spark plugs. If you have a scanner, try scanning it and see if some codes show up.

Check your plugs, also run 2 bottles of the lucas octane booster, top off with a gallon of shell premium. Let me know what happens and well go from there.

Well that's a little embarrassing haha. I was sure the battery was fully charged but I took it out and had it test, completely charged it and now the engine turns over

I also replaced the spark plugs with NGK plugs. Now the car just turns but wont start up. It seems as though if I give it some gas in the middle of cranking it does sound as though it gets closer to starting

Again, I can clearly hear fuel pump priming but could it still be a problem?

My 03, with 165k did something similar this winter. I was backing out of my garage and she was running really rough. I immediately shut it down then tried to restart. It would crank but not fire. It threw a code for the mass air flow sensor system. I cleared the code, tried to restart and would not start but did not throw the code again. I tried using stater fluid and it would not start. initially I thought is was the fuel filter or pump

I did how ever notice a sound of an electric motor trying to engage after I would attempt to start the engine. I got out my trusty 18 inch socket extension and starting trying to poke around and listen for the source of the noise. I discovered that the Idle control valve was the culprit of the noise. The idle control valve is under the intake bellows on the driver side and and performs a similar duty as a choke on cold starts. I replaced mine for $185 from Pelican parts.

maybe be worth a shot to check it out.