My car wont start, im told its something to do with the battery. What do I do?

Question

I turn the key to start it and i just get this clicking sound, but the lights and stereo and electric stuff works; it just wont start.

Answer 1

As batteries get old, they lose their "oomph". (that also happens when they're cold.)

When accessories work, but the starter goes "click click click", that's what happens when the battery that has the "oomph" to run accessories, but not to start the engine.

The clicking is the starter solenoid connecting the starter motor *click* Which overloads the battery, its voltage drops and the solenoid lets go *click* And the battery recovers, voltage comes back up, solenoid picks up *click* And the same thing happens again! Over and over. *click click click*

Most batteries have "warranties" of 4-8 years, which will pay for the fraction of the time the battery "should have" lasted, if you have the reciept and buy that same kind of battery again.

If you leave your lights or radio on, and find your battery is dead the next morning... everytime that happens, it damages the battery severely, each time probably takes 6 months off its life.

You could try putting a charger on the battery, but if the battery is old or abused, it's probably just done for.

Answer 2

I am a woman and aged 43. This is what I would do:
1. Call the last person that you did something really nice for. Like bake cookies for no reason. I hope you have done some act of kindness for someone nearby.
2. Get a ride to replace the battery to rule that out. Ask him to install it.
3. Take to a shop that is well known for good work and fast recovery. Not a dealer.
4. Start baking more cookies and doing good deeds, they make you feel better and once in a while the good deeds come in handy.

I rarely have to ask for favors but in my neighborhood we help each other. I call neighbors when I make a big batch of jam, or have extra firewood, what comes around can go around sometimes. And if for me it doesn't that is ok. I still got to bake cookies.

Wait. Are you a guy? If so re-ask the question and I will answer it again.

Answer 3

You can have your battery tested at a auto parts store for free. Take it off and have them tested. Don't buy a battery first put it on without knowing for sure. If you do this they will not return a used electrical item. Your battery is what kicks the car over and provides that start up power CCA's (cold cranking amps). If the battery test out fine . Take off your starter and take it in to get tested inside a auto parts store they can test it on a bench tester in side the store. If both of these items come out to be good then you have a problem with either your ignition switch or your neutral safety switch. The ignition sound like it wants to kick over so I am leaning more towards the Neutral Safety Switch. This Switch Mimics the same symptoms of a starter going bad on a vehicle. This switch is not too expensive but do research on line or call in to the stores to ask about price and availability.

Answer 4

first of all switch all electrics off
if your battery is low on charge
listening to top of the pops on your radio
whilst u wait for a solution to trundle by
will drain any life left in the battery alltogether!

1-if u can remove the battery and charge it up
at home etc that would be ideal.
2-if not then get a second car/van to jumpstart the battery(a bigger sized "rescue"car/van fully charged up will do the trick almost immediately for your battery)
3-if it doesn't then its not the battery at fault
4-starter motor is jammed
5-fuel line is blocked or restricted somehow
6-immobiliser is faulty
7-solenoid in the ignition system is suspect
8-wrong fuel type or water in fuel-maybe?
9-spark plugs are worn or badly adjusted-maybe?
10-fuel tank is empty(misleading fuel gauge)
11-engine has siezed(maybe just a slightly pessimistic answer )
12-good luck~ it will work eventually(ok im optimistic again)

Answer 5

it is ur battery. the battery can have enough voltage in it to run the lights and stereo but not enough to start the car. first u need to loosen the battery cables and clean them with a wire brush (buy one at an automotive parts store couple bucks). replace the cables and try to start the car. if it still does not start get someone to jump start it for you. if this does not work, but a new battery. if that does not work take the bus.

Answer 6

your car has voltage to run internal parts ie the radio whatever...but it doesn't have the amps (cranking amps) to start the car. you can check/ wiggle the cable lines going to the battery inspect for damage fraying on the wire. But before you just replace the battery take it to a local autoparts store and they can check the battery to truly see if its really bad.
and if it is they can offer a refund for replacement of your bad battery. Upon replacement of your battery have someone with a multimeter test your alternator to check if it is properly charging your battery it should be above 13.6 to 14.8 at least. Good Luck

Answer 7

See if it starts with a boost, if it does then it may be your battery. Have it charged and see what happens, or take it in and have it tested. If you left your lights on then it's just a matter of charging the battery up again. the average life of a battery is 5 years.

Answer 8

Sounds like your starter might be bad as well, probably not the alternater, could be the battery, get a jump start if possible then take it to someplace like autozone where they can put your car on a computer to diagnose the problem

Answer 9

ok.......let,s do this right.........slow charge your battery for 2hour,s.get your hand,s on a good volt meter.....after charging connect the voltmeter from + to - terminal,s on your battery.....it should read 12.5 to13 volts.....if not ..replace your battery....if it doe,s ...turn on your headlight,s for 1 to2 minutes.......if your voltage reading fell below 12 volt,s & stayed below....replace the battery......if it rebounded to12 to 12.5 after turning off the light,s your battery is good....the clicking noise is your starter selonoid...it will do this if you have a bad battery,or if the contact,s in the selonoid are bad,or if your starter motor is bad.............now be sure all your cabel,s & connection,s are clean & tight..........depending on the make of your car.......follow the positive cable to the selonoid switch....there are 2 large terminals & at least 1 small one........positive cable to one large one ,the other large one to the starter......the small one activates the switch to connect both large one,s.....to engage the starter.....using the voltmeter connect the positive lead to the large terminal that goe,s to the starter.....connect the negetive lead to a good ground.......have someone turn the key.....be careful .....it may try to start.......observe the voltage reading....it should be the same as your battery reading.....if it,s much lower or not at all.....replace the selonoid.......if it,s the same as your battery........replace your starter.......hope this isnt too confusing..also hope it help,s you......good luck!

Answer 10

sounds like the fuel pump relay has failed a common fault on those, if the engine literally will not turn over it probably means the starter gear is jammed, the fuel pumps can also freeze on those if the pump rotor stops between segments, another fault is the ignition module if it is the one inside the distributor, which fails when hot