First, please keep in mind i know nothing about cars.
My car has had no indication of problems all day. I parked it next to the house so i could vaccumm it. When i went to put it into the parking space, it wouldnt start.
It sounds like it is makeing a kind of grinding noise. the clock flickers. the lights come on. The needles, (temp and whatnot) are fluttery up and down when i try to start it.
The oil was just changed last night. I dont know if that could have done something to it? It worked fine all day so far.
Could someone give me any ideas on what it coud be? And what could be done for it?
Or even something i could try to do to find out what is wrong myself?
Thank you.
2006-10-18 08:35:28 · 12 answers · asked by white_goth_11 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Oh.. Its a Dodge Neon 2002 if that matters...
2006-10-18 08:35:56 · update #1
Fluttery dials indicates it's probably an electrical problem and it sounds most likely that you have a dead battery -- or nearly so. If your battery has inspection slots in the top, have a look and see if the electrolyte levels are okay. It has an indicator to show the right level. If it's a sealed, no-maintenance type, then it's hard to check.
To start your car, try to find a neighbour or friend who has a set of jumper cables. They can connect them from their car battery to yours. Make sure your car has everything switched off before you connect the cables, and make sure they are connected positive to positive (+ on the battery terminal) first, then negative to negative. The positive cable should be RED, the negative is BLACK. Also make sure both cars are in park or neutral, handbrake on for safety.
Then your neighbour starts their car. This helps to send extra boost into their battery. Then try starting your car.
It will probably start, but if it still doesn't and it makes horrible noises, don't keep trying! You'll just do more damage. The problem may be a jammed starter bendix. This is a tricky one to fix at home without the right tools and you so need an expert to fix it. Don't play around with stuff like that if you don't know what you are doing.
But let's hope it starts. Let it run for a minute or two so the engine's warmed up then take off the negative cable -- the BLACK one -- from your battery. If the car is still running okay, unclip it from the other battery. Now you can disconnect the RED one.
Be very careful not to touch the cable clips together when they are connected to a battery!
Now you have to make sure your battery is taking a charge okay. The car can run even if the battery is dead because your alternator is supplying the electricity to give you spark for your spark plugs, but that doesn't mean the battery is okay. If you switch it off too soon, before the battery has built up some charge, then you will need the jumper cables again.
Now, why was the battery dead? Did you leave something switched on? Even a rear window heater will run a bttery down over several hours. If you aren't sure why it went dead, the best thing to do is drive your car to the nearest garage and get them to check it.
Good luck and I hope this works.
Lenky
2006-10-18 09:01:21 · answer #1 · answered by Lenky 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like you have a weak battery, and when you were working on cleaning the car, the interior lights drew it down so that it does not have enough power to start the car. If you have a battery charger, try charging the battery. You could also try to have the car jump started.
On a 2002 vehicle, there is a good chance that you still have the original battery in your car. After about 4 years, batteries do tend to go bad, so I would have yours checked and replaced if needed.
It is very doubtful that in the situation you describe, the alternator is the problem.
2006-10-18 08:55:51 · answer #2 · answered by fire4511 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
under the hood, there is a black fuse box, open it up and there is a blown fuse in there, either a 40 or 50 amp fuse. you'll be able to tell which fuse is blown because it will be dark. The only other thing is your battery may be completely dead. It can cause the brakes to freeze up if there is no power going to it. Get a jump from someone with cables to see if it is dead.It will run without the battery to get you to somewhere that can change the battery for you. Once you turn it off though you won't be able to restart it without a jump until you replace the battery.
2016-05-22 00:06:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could be your battery is low and needing charging. Always start with the easy things first. If the battery is ok, then it could be your starter. They can just go, or the solenoid is bad, that is part of the starter. It gives the starter it's power. If the battery weak, it could do all those things you talked up but not start the car. But to me it sounds like the starter or solenoid if you replace the starter do the solenoid too. Like I said check the battery first, it is easy to check and then go on to the harder things...
2006-10-19 17:03:20 · answer #4 · answered by oppedal 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most likely the alternator is at fault.
Here is what you should do first. You should rule out the problem being the battery( because alternator is more expensive is a little bit more tedious to install(not as bad as you think) by yourself).
Remove the battery first and have someone drive you to Autozoe to get it check out. If it is okay, it is certainly the alternator.
2006-10-18 08:51:52 · answer #5 · answered by M 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
check your battery conection.sounds like the battery is either down or a bad connection.maybe a safety switch
2006-10-18 08:40:38 · answer #6 · answered by snide64 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
sounds like your battery is weak......enough to turn on the lights but not enough energy to turn over the engine...check the battery cables and make sure they are making good contact...if they are corroded pour some soda on them that will clean them......if it still wont start it might be a weak alternator...good luck
2006-10-18 08:44:35 · answer #7 · answered by kndykisz 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Take it to Auto Zone and have them check you're battery and battery cables. If that's not it get you're alternator checked.
2006-10-18 08:39:20 · answer #8 · answered by TRIX 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You probably left the doors open too long and ran the battery down.
2006-10-18 15:31:16 · answer #9 · answered by B H 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Either the battery or the starter.
2006-10-18 08:39:30 · answer #10 · answered by Blaredtx 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋