The cables are the "bolt-on " type ( not clamp ) When the key is turned on, there is a click-click-click sound with the instrument panel lights going on and off. The garage mechanic has told me the battery and alternator are ok. Could the starter motor be bad? ( I want to rule out faulty battery connections first ). Thank you.
2007-03-25 17:28:58 · 10 answers · asked by james m 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Coke a Cola will take acid off anything its also cheap.
2007-03-25 17:32:12 · answer #1 · answered by firetdriver_99 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's always better to check the simple things first. If your battery posts have a white crusty powder like substance on it, it's corroded.
Unbolt the connections and pour Coca Cola over the battery post and the terminal. It'll fizz. This works. Then a wire brush on the post and terminals. Coat the post and terminals with petrolium jelly and reattach.
If the battery isn't sealed remove the caps with a screwdriver prying up on them to check if they have fluid. Remember, the battery has acid in it that will burn you. Be especially careful not to get anything in your eyes. I have seen a friend buy a new battery to go bad within a day or so because the people who sold it to him forgot to fill it.
You can buy a tester for about three bucks to check the condition of the fluid. Kind of like an antifreeze tester but for battery acid.
Click, click, click is usually because the battery doesn't have a charge. It could be that the key was left on all night or something like the glovebox light isn't going off when it should and draining it. Or corroded battery terminals not making good contact.
If a starter goes bad it might click but I don't think so in this case. It could be the battery cable attached to the starter motor is loose. If the brushes on your starter are going bad it just won't start. You can get by a couple of times by taking a hammer or tire tool and tapping the starter motor. This may move the brushes enough to get it started a couple of more times. You're not trying to bang it to death just jar it a bit. If the solenoid is outside the starter, you might try tapping on that as well.
Sounds like you have a bad connection or bad battery.
2007-03-26 00:47:23 · answer #2 · answered by rann_georgia 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can just give them a tap with something .. a small hammer but DONT over do it .. If that wont do it give your battery a charge or boost it with another battery and take it out for a drive . Drive it long enough to give the battery a charge ..shut it off then wait a few minutes and try to start it it it starts then try again after a while .. if it starts again then I would think its your starter for sure
it could be the Solenoid or it might be a worn bushing .in the starter. what happens when the bushing is worn is that the armature of the started does not spin properly because it is not centred and it shorts out the starter more or less... a bushing would cost you about $1.00 but unless you can do it yourself most shops won't do it beause they will want to install a new or rebuilt starter which would probably then outlast the car
2007-03-26 00:57:24 · answer #3 · answered by myopinionforwhatitsworth 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You most likely have side terminals on your battery (no cables on top,just on the side).The best way to clean these is to remove them (use a 5/16ths or 8mm wrench) and remove any corrosion you see anywhere.The ghetto fabulous way is to remove them both (you should do this anyway) and douse them in soda,like Coke or Pepsi.While this works,baking soda and water is recommended over this.
If your car starts by someone smacking a hammer against the starter while you are cranking,you might need a new starter.
2007-03-26 00:36:57 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
if you want to get rid of corrosion you have to use a wire brush or sand paper...
As far as the click sound...you should check the connections on the starter...and check the continuity between the positive cable from the battery to the starter and the negetive from the battery to the chasis ground...
2007-03-26 00:37:30 · answer #5 · answered by Charmin1999 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i own a shop,and baking soda and water will neutralize the acid and you can use a wire brush to clean them off with,once there cleaned of good you may have fixed your problem with it,from what you said about it,that might be the only problem with it,good luck i hope this helps.
2007-03-26 00:36:13 · answer #6 · answered by dodge man 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A mixture of Baking Soda and Vinegar will clean it all up, just brush it off with a tooth brush and its done.
2007-03-26 00:37:36 · answer #7 · answered by AJ M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
new posts are only like 3bucks, I'd do that, they are pretty easy to take off and put on... otherwise use baking soda and water with a tooth brush or wirebrush. Should work fine.
2007-03-26 00:37:28 · answer #8 · answered by Heather H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
change to post they have screw in posts for your battery and clamps ends for the wire. also wire brush on the ends after the bolt is out and then put back together. i would switch to post
2007-03-26 00:34:12 · answer #9 · answered by jsn_ayers 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
sand paper, but it might be your solinoid. take yr starter off. most auto stores can test it while you wait
2007-03-26 01:30:05 · answer #10 · answered by billy_the_kidd2_99 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋