Yesterday my car wouldn't start, thought it was just the battery, today went and got a new battery, car still wouldn't start it would just make a clicking noise. The car will start if you jump it, so could it be the alternator or could it be that my starter is bad?
2007-06-12 11:25:26 · 11 answers · asked by bearssissy5 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
My car is a 1998 Hyundai Elantra
2007-06-12 14:22:07 · update #1
its not your alternator ive had one go out on a road trip and even though we shut the van off it would still start , it also may be your starter because the clicking noise you hear would indicate to me your starter is not working properly or cables for the battery are corroded
make sure there is no corrosion on your battery posts if there is corrosion present you can clean it off with baking soda and water i believe and a toothbrush (preferably one that no one will use again hopefully)
now if there are no signs of corrosion or dirt on top of your battery then i got some good news for you it may be your battery cables that have a high resistance ive seen it in some of the less newer cars this may or may not be the problem but its much cheaper than going and buying a new battery or alternator for that matter . if anyone knows electrical in your house they can check the resistance in the cables for you the ohms shouldnt be that high at all.
something it may very well be the starter solenoid a rapid clicking is caused by 1. a weak battery 2. a corroded or loose battery cable connection or 3.an open circuit in a hold in winding in your starter solenoid which if this is that cause you would need a new starter , unless the contacts can be repaired.
2007-06-12 12:18:01 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
first check for corrosion on the posts..then check the cables for any bad spots of corrosion or wear...then check for tight connections...make sure all this is good...then if possible an old trick(depending on the vehicle..not mentioned) you can sometimes tap the solenoid on the starter...and see if it will start...if all the above doesn't work then i would say starter or solenoid and whatever you do DONT ever remove the cable on a vehicle with an alternator ( this can fry the diodes and the computer) that is an old test that was done on cars with generators !!
2007-06-12 12:02:08 · answer #2 · answered by dcmd91us 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not your alternator most likely a bad connection to the battery why? because when you jump it it starts, and the new battery does not stat it. Clean the connections, make sure they are tight then try again. Or you left the dome light or something else on that is draining the battery
2007-06-12 11:32:14 · answer #3 · answered by Pengy 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sounds like a bad connection, when you put the cables on the terminals you make a good connection, but the connection between the battery and terminals might be bad. ALso, make sure to remove the plastic caps that are on the terminals of the new battery, usually a black on on negative.
2007-06-12 11:29:27 · answer #4 · answered by Dustin K 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
in the journey that your smelling sulfur, then that's the acid contained in the battery. It smells of rotten eggs. in case you scent sulfur, if the battery is bulged on the facets, or if the battery in the different case looks undesirable, replace the battery. A $10 digital volt meter from radio shack or different elements keep is the acceptable device for sorting out an alternator. The battery might want to analyze 12.6 volts even as charged and the engine off. even as the engine is began, the voltage might want to study form of 14 volts, many times some tenths larger. to objective the alternator below load, placed all of your lighting fixtures on, turn on the vents to intense, electric powered defrosters on, and different electric powered lots on. Then verify the voltage. It shouldn't drop in voltage extra then some tenths of a volt. If it does, you want a clean alternator. be conscious that the alternator can't be wisely checked except the electric powered connections are clean to the battery, the battery is charged and in reliable issue.
2016-11-23 15:23:00 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
could be the starter or a bad connection on the battery cables. i would bet the cables are corroded. yes even a side pos battery corrodes. you just can not see it without pulling off the cover on it.
2007-06-12 11:32:44 · answer #6 · answered by Timmy T 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We were just having problems with our alternator. If it starts when you jump it, an easy way to tell if it is your alternator is to turn your head lights on and see if they dim at all on their own. If they do, it's your alternator. Good luck! Car problems are no fun.
2007-06-12 11:34:52 · answer #7 · answered by mrs.crs 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
clicking noise means the relay that PULLS IN the starter is bad (ive repaired cars for 35 years)
2007-06-12 12:05:37 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
open the hood, start your car, take the positive cable off the battery. if it still runs . its your starter, if it stops than its your alternator.
2007-06-12 11:30:10 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
it could be a bad battery. or is
2007-06-12 23:00:31 · answer #10 · answered by keith_19798@yahoo.com 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋