My car is a '97 saturn SC2...we just got it a couple weeks ago. lately, if i stall (im trying to learn how to drive it, as it's stick shift), the car won't turn back on. the air conditioning and radio will, so i don't think it's the battery...especially since we bought a new one a week ago.
when i turn the key, i hear a "click." someone said it could be the starter, someone else said it could be the alternator. can't push start it or anything. jump-starting it helped, but it only shuts off again (if i stall, of course) a little bit later on.
so....is it my starter, or could it be my alternator? i know an alternator runs around a hundred to two hundred bucks, but how much is it to have someone actually install it? i could possibly do it myself, but it seems kinda hard (at least on the directions i found online).
thanks for the help!
2007-06-08 08:15:04 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I suspect that you may have a problem with your starter. The
click you hear should be the starter start-up signal. A REAL service station can test your alternator for a small fee. I'm surprised that you can't push start the car...key in the ''run'' condition,clutch out, second gear, big push- pop clutch?
2007-06-08 08:22:00 · answer #1 · answered by sirbobby98121 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its not the alternator. That only charges the battery. A good battery and bad alternator will still run. Its probably the solinoid on the starter. Might be starter relay but I doubt it. If you know what the starter relay is you can be danged sure car is in neutral and key on then take a screw driver and jump across bolts on relay to see if it will start. I have also taken a shovel and reached down to the starter and jumped across from battery hot to starter and started a pickup before as well as many tractors. This CAN GET YOU KILLED if tractor is not in neutral. Again be sure car is in neutral, in fact have somebody behind the wheel with foot on brake. Could be a loose cable or corroded cable running from battery to terminal on starter.
2007-06-08 08:32:43 · answer #2 · answered by cold_fearrrr 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you say a jump will start the car, then it's possible the battery is bad, as new batteries can also fail.
It could also be corroded battery wires and/ or terminals, and of course as those before me said, solonoid problems.
A battery can show high voltage, that is, 12.5vdv, but not have the required amperage when under load.
2007-06-08 08:26:05 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would start with the battery connections. Had a car that did that and I had to replace the connectors. Jump starting with that problem worked for me too.
Hope you're lucky and thats all it is.
2007-06-08 08:26:04 · answer #4 · answered by Breezey is saying HAPPY BIRTHDAY 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
usually a bad starter will make a reapeated buzzing type click.It sounds as if your terminal connectors or battery wires may be the problem.
2007-06-08 08:19:37 · answer #5 · answered by thejrzdevil 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Drive to an auto store and have a free charging system check done in their parking lot.
2007-06-08 08:23:49 · answer #6 · answered by bobweb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all...a SATURN? why? J/P it's most likely just your solenoid on the starter. Take it out and take it to AUTOZONE, thay'll check it out and if it's just the solenoid then you won't have to buy the whole starter.
2007-06-08 08:19:34 · answer #7 · answered by kao.saelee 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋