It ran perfectly yesterday, I drove to the grocery store and now it wont start. No unusual noises when it was running, and no noises now. Ordinarily I would think it was the starter (its not the battery, lights and door beeps are normal), but I'm not sure. The reason this is confusing to me is that it did this same thing a month ago....except a month ago it did it while parked in a hotel parkinglot 1000 miles from home. Weird thing about that one, is that after about 24 hours of not wanting to start, it started right up and has drove perfectly ever since. Any idea what could be wrong with a car, and somehow fix itself after a period of time of just sitting there?
2006-08-03 06:45:40 · 5 answers · asked by Les M 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Sounds like the solenoid on the starter. or could be the starter itself. I would definitely have it looked at because chances are, even if it cranks tomorrow, this will start occurring more regular the longer you let it go.
2006-08-03 06:51:44 · answer #1 · answered by jbradc69 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Probably a connection issue. If the battery terminals are just a bit dirty, they will carry enough current to make your lights etc. work. But there may not be enough current to start.
It is also possible that the starter is failing, and it has settled on the bad spot. The only thing that will make it work again is to get past that spot. Then it will work again for a little while.
1) Clean the terminals and check the rest of the connections.
2) Check and/or replace the starter.
2006-08-03 13:55:27 · answer #2 · answered by Ironhand 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My Honda Preluse used to do that. I know it's not the battery, alternator, or solenoid. I spent hundreds trying to diagnose the problem and the best solution any mechanic ever gave me was to walk away for five minutes, and try again.
And oh yes, it only wouldn't start when I desperately wanted/needed it to. So, plan on leaving five minutes earlier. It may have something to do with not getting the right gas/air mix occasionally.
2006-08-03 14:59:14 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
IT IS YOUR BATTERY
- LIGHTS, RADIO AND ACCESSORIES DO NOT DRAW BUT MAYBE 10-20 amps - YOUR CAR TAKES 500 CRANKING AMPS TO START - VOLTAGE IS 12, BUT WITH OUT THE AMPS, IT WILL NOT START
-- I GET THIS EVERYDAY WHERE I WORK - SO PLEASE TRUST ME - ITS YOUR BATTERY
IF YOU WANT TO JUST THROW MONEY AT YOUR CAR - REPLACE THE STARTER, THE SOLONOID AND ALL THE ITEMS THAT PEOPLE RECOMMEND, IN THE END - YOU WILL STILL BE REPLACEING YOUR BATTERY
2006-08-03 14:00:09 · answer #4 · answered by nunofyobiznit 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you say it wont start, do you mean cranks but wont start or doesnt do anything?
2006-08-03 13:52:52 · answer #5 · answered by wright works 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋