It has been having episodes of not starting for a couple months now. First, it would just have times that it wouldn't do anything when I turned the key. I'd let it sit for a while or get out and dowse the battery terminals/cables with baking soda and water and it would start right up. The next thing it started do was acting like it wasn't going to start - like the battery was almost dead - but then it would start anyway. And THEN the past 2 weeks it has been making a funny rapid clicking sound right before it started. But there have also been days that it started right up with no problem at all - several times in a row. I've cleaned the terminals and cables with a wire brush because that's about all I can afford to do at the moment. What else can I try to either fix it or figure out what is wrong with it? The battery gauge is always a hair over the center, by the way, so I think the battery and alternator are fine.
2007-08-11 14:00:22 · 17 answers · asked by Someday Soon 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
i would check out the cables on the battery first. i don't know what kind of idiot lights are coming on but if they come on when the car is running, that is when you pay attention to them. If they come on when your trying to start the car or when the engine is not running but the key is on, this is normal, it is a check to make sure they work. If your battery was dead the car wouldn't start no matter what you did to the cables, it's probably not that. The negative cable should come off the battery and be bolted to the frame(ground), this has to be a clean tight connection, the cable has to in good condition. The positive cable will go directly to the starter and another cable will go to the main power terminal to feed all the other electric circuits in the car. The cable to the starter from the battery is what you need to look at. The connections on the starter and the battery must be tight and clean and the cable must be in good condition. If all this is good you probably have a bad starter. I'd recommend having the alternator and battery load tested before replacing any parts. If your low on cash you can go to a junk yard that has your car and try to get a starter and the load test can usually be done cheap at a pep boys or sears die hard service center.
2007-08-11 14:42:19 · answer #1 · answered by mattyg314 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
sounds like either the ignition switch or the starter and cylinoid are on the way out. Both would exhibit those kinds of symptoms // just start the car with the interior light on. If the light dims but nothing happens -at least you know the ignition switch is making contact. As for the starter and cylinoid well, one day the just won't work any more so if you have a manual transmission do yourself a favor and park facing down hill when possible.
2007-08-12 05:02:16 · answer #2 · answered by james c 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The clicking sound you here is the solenoid trying to kick in , so therefore I think your starter may be going bad, also remove battery cables and clean when you replace put a little motor oil on each terminal and every time you change oil, hope this helps.
2007-08-11 14:10:40 · answer #3 · answered by JT B ford man 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
.
Your starter is probably not responding every time you try to start your vehicle. The same symptoms can be seen when you have either a bad connection at the battery terminals, or bad terminals.
If you have cleaned the terminals and made sure the connection and the battery are good, then your starter is failing.
I hope this helps.
Good luck!
2007-08-11 14:15:39 · answer #4 · answered by Mazda man 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I'd take a real close look at those cables, not just the terminals.
Also your ground strap, (engine to frame).
You describe something that sounds like high resistance, a bad connection, or a wire almost frayed through.
Betcha a shiny nickel you'll find something of the sort, and most of em are an easy fix.
2007-08-11 16:53:00 · answer #5 · answered by Irv S 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The more info you give, the more help you'll receive. Details help.
If the clicking noise is coming from under the hood, read the first dozen or so replies.
If the rapid clicking noise comes from underneath your dash, it could mean your ECM is failing. In many GM-sold vehicles, the fuel pump relay under the dash will start clicking rapidly when the ECM fails.
If you suspect this is the case, have it serviced by a professional.
2007-08-11 14:42:18 · answer #6 · answered by PKRWUD 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Thanks for the make and model. Could be the the solenoid/starter. Could be that a battery cable is grounding out. Check cables for tears and splits. Oxidation forms through moisture. But, the clicking you are referring to is the solenoid. You probably have a bad starter.
2007-08-11 14:11:51 · answer #7 · answered by !~"Fish On"~! 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Most likely its a weak battery, most new batteries last 3 to years. Second possibility is a loose or corroded battery cable.
2007-08-11 14:28:10 · answer #8 · answered by cimra 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
sounds like a loose cable, maybe, on the battery or starter.
2007-08-11 14:07:43 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
you need to pull the cover off of the battery and make sure that it doesnt have a dead cell. in other words make sure all the cells r full of distilled water.
2007-08-11 14:18:04 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋