I have a car problem. Please help!?

Question

Every so often, when I try to start my car and turn the key, the car does not start. It gently ticks in rythmic sequences. I try again, and again, and it's not until I try about 12-15 times that it works. It always eventually works when I keep trying. It's happened a total of 3 times and has been happening for the past year and a half. What's wrong with my car? Do I need to fix it? How much would it cost total (including labor) if I choose to fix it? Thanks!!!

I have a 1997, Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme.

Answer 1

the soleonoid on your starter is bad, you need to replace the starter with a new one or a rebuilt one.

Answer 2

Check all your cables running to and from the starter and the battery. Next if everything seems in order take the battery out and take it to an auto parts store that does free testing. If the battery tests fine out of the car put it back in and take the whole car up and have them check the full electrical system. By that I am just referring to the battery (yes you just had it checked, but on the rare occasion there might be a connection problem), starter, and alternator (this will most likely not be the problem, but if the diodes in the alt. short out sometimes they will draw power with out the car running or even on). If all these check out try the relay. If after all this is done and it is still acting up call a priest. He should be qualified to perform an exorcism, or you could just replace the battery and hope that it was the problem. I only say that because that similar thing happened on my mom's car and that is what the dealer did. Fixed the problem and has not happened since.

Answer 3

Check battery cables/terminals - make sure they are tight.
There are other possibilities but this is the first step. If those are fine, proceed with the starter. Somebody suggested that it could be the relay problem. Possible. But it also could be a bendix going out which can be replaced separately but is normally available with the starter only.

Answer 4

first step,
try cleaning the battery terminals, connection at the starter, have the battery tested, & have a shop do a load test on the starter. all of this should should be 1 hour of labor or less. if the problem continues take it to a shop & have them diagnose it. in the long run having a shop diagnose your car, will save you money, then you trying to guess at what is wrong.

Answer 5

It could have something to do with your neutral safety switch. This makes sure that you only are able to start your car while in park or neutral. Try putting it in neutral and starting it. If the problem is gone you will need to fix this. If not try cleaning your battery terminals and the connections on your starter itself. Hope this helps.

Answer 6

If its cranking, it might be the fuel. Whenever I start my car, i usually leave the key on the last click before turning to start the car. Leave the key in the position where your radio and air are on but your engine is not for 3-5 seconds. Works for me!

Answer 7

I just cant understand why people dont include the year, make and model of their vehicle in question. Sounds like a atarter problem.

Answer 8

Everyone else's answer is a possibility.

If its a standard then it could be as simple as you need to wait until the car is at a complete stop before you shut the engine off.

Answer 9

I WOULD CHECK THE COMPLETE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FIRST.

THE STARTER SOLENOID SOUNDS LIKE THE PROBLEM BUT THIS IS A TEN YEAR OLD VEHICLE SO I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT IF THE SOLENOID IS BAD JUST REPLACE THE COMPLETE STARTER ASSEMBLY.

Answer 10

Clean your battery terminals remove the wires and clean the posts and the connectors the clicking is not enough juice going to your selenoid.