i have a 1988 chevy cavalier with an I4 and 5-speed manual. the car had occasionally not started for a while after i drove it, then it stopped starting altogether. i could push start it since it's a manual, but that turned out to be really inconvenient. i got a new starter, and the problem went away for a bit, then came back in a couple of months. then i got a new battery, and the problem went away, and came back in about a month. it is now beyond me why it does this. the starter MIGHT have been a rebuilt rather than a new, but i'm still baffled. please help.
2006-10-12 16:39:04 · 7 answers · asked by nicklikesmilk 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
take it to a shop and have them figure it out:)
2006-10-12 16:45:52 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it starts every time you push start it the problem is in the starter system. Now the symptoms make a difference. If there is a clicking but the engine will not turn over then you are looking at low battery voltage or a bad starter. Because it only dose this after a long drive and not when the engine is cold it most likely is not the battery or alternator.
You need to check all of you connections first. Make sure they are tight and don't forget the ground is through the bolts to the engine block and from the negative side of the battery to the engine block.
If the connections are good you probably have a starter That is week. Any testing beyond this requires a volt meter.
2006-10-12 16:58:25 · answer #2 · answered by Beast 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the connections on the battery, starter, or alternator are not good, it would match your problem, especially a top post battery. All connections need to be clean and tightened very snugly. If there is any movement with any of the bolts or connections, or a bolt is stripped, At least you will know the answer If you cannot find such a problem, I would take it to a shop with a good electrical man.
By the way, if the windings in your starter were bad, they would have be4en dead from the git go. Loose brushes are another matter; leave that to a mechanic.
2006-10-12 17:13:57 · answer #3 · answered by bob h 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Thats the general symptoms of a bad starter. The car starts fine when the engine is cold but once its driven for a while and heats up it won't start. Has to do with the windings in the starter.
If it was the battery it wouldn't matter if the car was hot or cool.
2006-10-12 16:49:50 · answer #4 · answered by Roadkill 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Does your car run hot. Sometimes you can get what is known as vapor lock. The fuel line gets warm and causes the fuel to vaporize. Does it start after it sits for a while.
2006-10-12 16:48:59 · answer #5 · answered by READER 1 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
alternator.
2006-10-12 16:41:00 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fuel filter / pump?
Altonator? (i know its spelled wrong)
hmm. that is a good one.
2006-10-12 16:41:44 · answer #7 · answered by Jeff M. 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋