Okay, for the last few days my car was going "wher wher wher" when I tried to start it then it would "catch" and start. When this happened the clock would reset to 12:00. Now this morning it did the "wher" one pathetic time and now all it's doing is clicking... anyone have any ideas what's wrong with it? And prices on fixing it?
One guy at work said "sounds like your starters going" when he heard me starting it the other day. Now this morning a friend of mine told me the clock restarting and the clicking mean I need a new battery.
Thanks
2006-08-18 00:35:04 · 9 answers · asked by Mrs.Me 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Well, your battery is at least low and needs to be recharged, and maybe replaced. Try to recharge the battery and see if your car will start. If you get it started, your first trip should be to a battery outlet that can check your battery and charging system. You can also try to jump start your car, if you or a friend has a set of jumper cables. It would also be a good idea to have someone follow you to the shop in case you have any problems on the way.
If you can't find a charger or a jump, you should pull the battery and take it to the shop to have it checked before you get a new one.
2006-08-18 02:21:09 · answer #1 · answered by Jeffrey S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like your battery is going bad, but without a few simple tests, I can not be sure. The first thing to do is to try to jump start the car, or charge the battery. Have the battery load tested, some auto parts stores (Autozone and the like) will do a load test for you for free. If the battery is good (which is doubtful), there is a reason it is not recharging, so an alternator output test would be needed.
The starter could also be going bad, and needing too much power to work. You do not say what kind of car you have, so I have to guess at prices.
The battery should cost $60-$100 for replacement.
An alternator or starter will be $100-$700 (or more) depending on the car and if you get a new or rebuilt one.
If the battery is more than three years old, I would replace it even if this problem is a starter or alternator. It will most likely fail this winter anyway!
2006-08-18 07:53:47 · answer #2 · answered by fire4511 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds as if your starter is staying engaged. That would make the whirring sound. The clock resetting itself means that it has lost electrical power. If the starter has a short, that would cause the clock to loose power. The clicking noise could be the starter solenoid or low battery. So in all probability you have a starter problem. Master Tech
2006-08-18 07:46:28 · answer #3 · answered by Cal 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh my goodness, these answers are crazy. OK, you have a bad starter drive. Used to be known as the bendix because Bendix mftrng made most of them since WWII. Replace the entire starter. Your battery is probably fine. You can smack it with a hammer or tire iron, (the starter....not the battery!!) or just something. Then try it again. It will eventually engage. This will get you on the road until you get the starter replaced. Good luck.
2006-08-18 08:34:03 · answer #4 · answered by jeff s 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have a friend take you to Autozone with the battery. They will test it for you to see if it's dead. If it is, you can buy a new battery for like $40-50 when you turn in the dead battery. Installing it should be a peice of cake. If Autozone says it's still got juice, it's probably your starter. Doesn't hurt to check your alternator and the serpentine belt either.
2006-08-18 07:41:38 · answer #5 · answered by so1o 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I doubt it's the battery. It probably is the starter. If you have an Auto Zone store nearby they will check your battery for free. Then you will know for sure. If you notice your lights getting dimmer and dimmer and things like that it could be an alternator, but, from your description it does sound like it's the starter.
2006-08-18 07:42:59 · answer #6 · answered by freespirit 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The same thing happened to me 4 weeks ago. It is clear that you need a new battery. or there is another part called "charge something" but i cant remember the second word. but it is an expensive part. hope that the only problem is battery.
2006-08-18 07:43:59 · answer #7 · answered by v for vendetta 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can take the battery to either Auto-zone or O-Riley and have them check the battery for free!! If it is the battery it could be your alternator or it could be the starter.... But first things first.. Have the battery checked first. then you can trouble shoot from there.
Good luck......
2006-08-18 07:47:24 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Starter is going and alternator sounds like it's not charging the battery, so your battery is dead too.
2006-08-18 09:14:31 · answer #9 · answered by sovereign_carrie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋