Starter or Battery?

Question

My car won't start. It just clicks. The lights still work, but are dim. I got my battery, and alternator replaced about 3 years ago, and I'm thinking that I got my starter replaced too, but I'm not possitive on that one. Based on what I told a coworker who works as a part time mechanic, he told me it sounds like my battery, but I'm just not sure. I am going to try to get it to jump start, if it does, I can assume it's my battery, right? If it doesn't, then I can assume it's the starter? Is that correct?

Answer 1

its the battery.

if you jump start it and it starts, battery for sure. if you jump start it and it still dont start, could still be battery.

the clicking noise is the solenoid on the starter. fuel pumps dont click, they hum when you first turn the key on. after they prime they dont do anything unless your turning the key to off and then back on again.

Answer 2

*sigh* I still don't know why people asnwer that obviously don't have a clue. The click is not your fuel pump, it's the starter attempting to engage. The dim lights are the only clue you need. Your battery is low. Now the question is, is the battery bad, or is the alternator not keeping it charged?

Put the charger on the battery and leave it there for a couple of hours. Now take it off, and use a cheap voltmeter to check battery voltage. If it reads at or above 12 volts, go to step 2. If not, replace the battery.

Step 2, start the vehicle. Did the voltmeter go below 9 volts when starting? If so you may have a starter that is binding.

Step 3, with the vehicle running, check the voltage. If it reads around14 volts, the alternator is working fine. If it is still reading 12, replace the alternator.

If the alternator and the battery both check okay, replace the starter.

I wish you well.

Answer 3

Even if it starts after the jump it maybe the battery or the starter. If the starter is going it may just need a little more juice to get it going . Putting on the jumper gives it that power and away it goes. If the battery is dead well that's easy. Before you do anything make sure the connection on the battery are clean and tight and same down at the starter. Also check your ground connection to the engine block form the battery . Before jumping it try tapping the starter with a hammer while someone tries to start it. If it starts this way its the starter if not you'll next to have the starting and charging systems tested cause it could even be your alt. charging low.
Good luck hope I helped

Answer 4

Yeah, definitely sounds like the battery if the lights are dim. If it's not charging right after three years, you may have corrosion or bad cables... may want to clean the terminals & replace the cables before you invest in a new battery or alternator.

Answer 5

I think your friend is correct that it is the battery...3 years is about the time alot of them go as well. If you can try jump starting and then you will know if it is the battery or starter as if it spins over then it is the battery.

Answer 6

holy ****, that happened to me yesterday. yeah its the battery. you can get a jump, or buy a battery, the battery has enough juice for windows and lights, but its the AMPs in the battery that give it that strong kick to start the motor and apperantly you have no more of it. So buy a new battery, they like 50bucks

Answer 7

Sounds like your battery is dead/dying. Get your battery charged and then get your entire vehicle to your local auto parts store.

They can check your system and find out if it's just the battery, or if your altenator has also failed.

Answer 8

The clicking is the fuel pump (which is good). If the lights are dim, you probably don't have enough juice to start the car, so yes, it's at LEAST the battery.

Once you jump it you should run it for a good 45 minutes and let it recharge (you can drive it during this time, just don't turn it off).