It's very cold where I live.. I started my car to move it out of the way for my partner's car to be able to move... when I got back into my car to move it back it wouldn't start. It does not click when you turn the key all the way... the battery seems to be working well... (my lights and radio work) I am clueless to what happened. *(note) my car is a 1994 olds 88 modle with fuel injection (incas that helps). Thanks in advance for your answers!
2007-01-21 11:09:12 · 18 answers · asked by A W 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
please let me know what you think it may be and how much to fix it.. in the shop and here by partner... that would be great if possible knowledge on this issue.
2007-01-21 11:11:21 · update #1
first off take the battery terminals off the battery and clean the cable terminals and the terminals on the battery really good and rehook and try again, if that doesn't work it is probably a bad battery, jump it and if you have a amp meter in the car watch it and see if it shows that it is charging, if the alternator is ok the meter will show that it is charging, you will probably end up replacing the battery.
2007-01-21 11:47:28 · answer #1 · answered by mister ss 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definitely your battery. Cold weather is very hard on batteries. Before jumping it, check and make sure you have the right water level in your battery, thats what helps it charge. Then jump it and let it run for awhile. If it isn't the battery, then check your alternator. The alternator is what holds the charge for your vehicle when it is running. If it is bad, your lights and other electrical will still come on because they are running off the battery, but the car will not start, it won't try to turn over at all. If it were your starter you would hear a clicking noise when turning the key, because the ignition would still be running off the battery and trying to start the starter that is what makes the clicking noise. Its pretty easy to test the amps in your alternator. You can get a amp/voltage meter at the part store for about 10 bucks, it comes with instructions. I think the amps should be 14, you may want to check with a repair shop or a parts store on the ampage. My vehicle its 14. Hope this helps.
2007-01-21 13:18:59 · answer #2 · answered by t f 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Apparently nobody here bothered to read the question. The battery started the car the first time, so there's no way it's so dead you don't hear the solenoid click. Especially since you said the lights were OK. And if the engine doesn't even crank, I'm not sure how anybody could think the fuel system had anything to do with it.
The simplest thing that could be wrong is that you didn't get the shifter back into park all the way. The interlock would keep you from engaging the starter motor.
2007-01-21 11:39:49 · answer #3 · answered by Nomadd 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sounds like your alternator or starter. If your alternator is shot, you're running off straight battery without any regulation of use. Long story short, your battery will not recharge and will die. If it's the starter then the car isn't getting the '"jump" it needs to turn over the engine. Usually if it's the starter, when you turn the key there will be a fast clicking noise. Either way it sounds like you need to get it into the shop.
2007-01-21 11:20:29 · answer #4 · answered by Zen 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yeppers, sounds like you have a loose connection at the battery or possibly just corroded battery cable. not anything fuel related, and may possibly be the safety switch in the shifter. turn on the key and pull the shifter all the way down through the gears, then put back in park. try to start, if no luck doing that, check battery cables to see if they are loose or dirty, remove them and clean and reinstall. if you do get it started, take the car to auto zone and they will test your charging system for free.
2007-01-28 13:23:04 · answer #5 · answered by chris n 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when the weather is cold, it can wear your battery down big time, especially if it sits long. you may have enough power to the radio and lights, but your battery needs so much juice to turn the car over. get jumper cables. hook them up and you should be good. next time, let the car run for about 10-15min to let it warm up and recycle juice back to the battery. if that doesn't help, check the starter. they are only $25-30 for that make and model. good luck
2007-01-21 11:13:54 · answer #6 · answered by Dallas 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I just had to replace my "two" batteries in my Excursion.... same situation of yours.
You don't have to hear the "clicking" when you turn the key for it to be the battery. Try jumping it, and if it works, then just replace the battery. Would be under $50.
I lucked out, mine were both still under warranty and I got "new" batteries for free!!! That was a good day!! LOL
2007-01-21 11:18:19 · answer #7 · answered by luv2bme 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
(1.) The automatic choke may be defective or incorrectly adjusted. If you can sometimes get the engine started after pumping the throttle a number of times (using the accelerator pump to add fuel to the carby throat), then the choke is suspect.
(2.) Either the fuel system or the ignition system may be faulty
2007-01-21 11:19:41 · answer #8 · answered by B(ee)riggs 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds to me the starter is shot get a new starter put in cost the part is like 40 bucks and installetion is about 60 probally 1000 for the whole thing .Also get your battery and the terminals checked out before you get the starter put in that should be only about 25 bucks
2007-01-29 11:11:21 · answer #9 · answered by slp9209 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could be as simple as the starter cable is loose try moving it back and forth then try to start you car,It may also be just a loose battery cable try moving them also
2007-01-25 11:28:40 · answer #10 · answered by rkinzler69 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋