Hi I have a '99 Chevy Prizm. I live in Florida so the weather in "winter" still is like 60's maybe down to 50's on a random night. I am having problems starting my car. Not just in the morning, but everytime I need to start it: morning, after class, night, whatever. I use a COPY of the original Chevy key (because the original wont hang on to a keychain, the rubber end broke), but I still have the original if needed. When I turn the ignition, all i get is a loud "click" sound like someone tapped some metal with a stick..so it's more like "ting" and will repeat the sound till I release the key back from the start position. Well this started about 2 months ago and has not stopped being a problem. I just keep turning the key again several times and then one lucky time it will finally start up again. Occasionally, it will give a false start; I will hear the engine turn over partially but no luck. Most of the time it will take me 5-15 tries to get the car to start. Once its on its fine tho!
2007-01-31 14:38:45 · 14 answers · asked by iamtired 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
this is not an uncommon problem, it is cause by a bad spot on the armature of the starter. the only fix is to replace the starter. it will get worse till finally it won't start at all. the starter will cost 150 - 250 depending on where you purchase and 1 to 1.5 hours of labor to change it. if you can't change it your self find a dependable shop to change it. try BBB, relatives, friends or even auto parts stores.
2007-02-06 06:10:22 · answer #1 · answered by Sundew 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Turn on your headlights so that you can see them (facing a wall, etc.) and then try to start your car. If your lights go completely off and then come back on once it's started, then you have a bad connection. If your battery terminals are dirty, pour a cup of water mixed with about 3 tablespoons of baking soda on your battery and terminals (make sure your engine is cooled), then remove the terminals and scrub off any gunk from the terminals and posts with a wire brush.
If it's not a bad connection, I sounds like it could possibly be some missing teeth on the flywheel assembly which would explain why you have a clicking sound. It will continually try to start until it catches on the teeth that arent' broken.
2007-02-07 14:07:41 · answer #2 · answered by lucinda l 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I seriously doubt anything is wrong with your starter. I have had this happen a lot and all it is, is the battery terminals are dirty. Just disconnect the two wires going to the battery and take a small wire brush and scrub them off until the metal is shiny and do the same to the battery post and everything should be fine. Just be careful to diconnect the black wire (negative) first and when hooking it back up connect the black wire last so you won't bump something and make a bunch of big sparks.
2007-01-31 14:54:36 · answer #3 · answered by boogie2510 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
yeah the ting sound is a symptom of your starter going out... and since it's a 99 chevy prism the ting if the starter will probably be under the passangers side...
2007-02-05 16:46:23 · answer #4 · answered by MrOneDer 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It the internal starter bendix plates that are worn and/or corroded. A mechanically inclined person can take it apart, clean or replace the copper plates, and put it together. All others will replace the starter.
2007-02-08 05:10:36 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
everyones answers thus far have been accurate and helpfull, however, one things missing. your obviously losing voltage to the starter. usually this reflects a short in the battery cable that leads to the starter. i would recommend replacing the battery cables. your starter is probably fine, the CLICK you are hearing is the bendix, or gear that pops out when voltage is applied to starter then spins against the flywheel allowing the vehicle to start. since your vehicle starts occasionally the starter is probably fine. what you are hearing is the starter soleniod trying to engage the bendix . without proper current it is too weak to fully engage. Replace wires, turn key, drive safe. good luck
2007-01-31 17:16:36 · answer #6 · answered by james t 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
sounds like a bad connection to your starter or solenoid,if green or white powdery substance appears on the wire or the bolts to the starter need to either clean the bolts or replace the wire.First, check tosee if the wire is loose,if so ,just tighten.If that don't work ,replace the starter.Sounds like a bad connection mainly.
2007-02-08 12:59:24 · answer #7 · answered by blueeyesrmine 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it sounds like you need to replace the starter. when you use a starter all the time it wears out very quickly. people who deliver pizzas have this problem all the time. you should get it replaced quick or you might be stranded in somplace you dont want to be.
2007-01-31 14:48:08 · answer #8 · answered by j e 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like maybe the teeth in your starter actuator are breaking. As long as you have been using it in this condition, I hope that you have not broken any teeth in your flex plate. Take it to a reputable garage and have it checked. You could do additional more expensive damage operating the vehicle this way.
2007-01-31 14:55:55 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
sound like the cylinoid which is the unit that takes the battery power and sends it to the starter
2007-02-08 13:52:02 · answer #10 · answered by Kevin C 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋