car won't start?

Question

my van was fine until someone turned on my headlights and left them on, now it won't start of course, but it's also clilcking when i try to start it.... is that my battery or my starter, and is it possible to have it recharge itself.. no, i'm not stupid.. i had a van that did that before

Answer 1

It's your battery. To have it recharge itself, you need to either jump-start from another car (not the best option if it's very new - this can screw with the car's computer) OR get one of those portable rechargers you plug into the cigarette lighter port.

Answer 2

Your battery has been drained from the lights being left on. Take the battery out of the van and have it charged. A quick charge would be best for the case. Batteries that are drained real low have to have a high amp charge put into them to knock the sulfates loose from the plates and allow the battery be recharged. A fast charger hits the battery with a high amp charge at first, then lowers the charge steadily until it is charged. We have what is called a deep recovery charger where I work. It can tell if a battery can take a charge within about 10 minutes. After the battery is charged it should sit and be allowed to cool down so the cells stabilize for 8 hours before you can test it to see if it has taken the charge. If it hasn't it has to be replaced.

Answer 3

You have enough power in the battery to engage the solenoid on the starter motor but not enough to turn the starter or fire the spark plugs. If you have a manual gather some friends and start pushing (in 2nd gear, clutch pedal depressed and once it rolling pop the clutch out and it will start). Since it's more likely an automatic, you will have to get a boost. Once it is running, go for a long highway speed drive to build up the battery. If you have a battery charger, hook it up and let it charge the battery for about 2 hours before trying to start the car. If the battery is more than 2 years old, you will need a new one before winter.

Answer 4

Battery is dead. A starter is a series wound motor which will make a clicking noise if the battery hooked up to it is not giving it enough voltage.

You could try jumping it, but the battery is likely damaged, best get a new battery. That should fix your problem.

No it cannot recharge itself.

Answer 5

The battery won't recharge itself. Have sombody jump start you and let the vehicle run for 45 min or drive it around for awhile. If the battery dosen't come up. It's probably got a dead cell. You'll have to replace the battery.

Answer 6

the battery is probably dead. have someone jump start your car, preferably a SUV. then drive it around for 30 Min's. come back later try and start your car, if it works, great. if not get a new battery. leaving the lights on will kill your battery. shouldn't be the starter.

Answer 7

Have someone give you a jump or if you have a battery charger, charge it over night.

Do your lights work if you turn them on. Sometimes, putting the lights on, gives a jolt to the battery and may allow it to start.

Ah, for the old days, of a manual transmission, a little push, pop the clutch and you are off.

Answer 8

Recharge the battery and have someone check your alternator output. If the alternator is not putting out enough voltage change it. The battery is probably your only problem though.

Answer 9

Charge the battery, or jump start and drive around. The clicking is the starter without enough power to spin. ?:)z

Answer 10

don't be dumb it's the battery and the clicking sound is the starter trying to start cause it can't get any battery power from the battery charge the battery i suggest