Ever since I've owned my Civic, something's been up with the starter. At times, it will start right up, and sometimes it would take a ton of clicks to get it going. Recently (like within the last two days), it seems it now needs a jump to start up, even though my battery and alternator are fine. Also, after I drive around for a while, I'll try starting my car, and it will start right up. It's only when it sits overnight or for hours at a time when it will start clicking a lot to the point of needing a jump again. So, is my starter finally just dying and should I get a new one? Or is it something to do with the battery? Please help!
2007-09-22 14:32:52 · 5 answers · asked by dreamincitrus 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
It's hard to say. Starting it in the morning or after it has sat for a while may mean that your battery is not suppling enough amperage to the starter.
I'm more likely to say it's the battery is weak and not supplying enouch cold cranking amps than I am to say the starter is failing.
Did you have the battery load tested? I would recommend getting it load tested to ensure it has enough cold cranking amps to turn the starter motor over before going after the start motor itself.
2007-09-22 14:43:31 · answer #1 · answered by hsueh010 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds to me as the battery may have bad cell ... if you can jump start it and its clicking without a jump the starter is getting less than 10vts when cranking.
I would have the batter and alternator tested! ASAP before you spend money on a starter. If you have a voltmeter put it on the batter and then have someone crank it over and see what the voltage reading is on the battery! ;-) while cranking it over ....
Jump starting it has nothing to do with the starter ... sounds to me like the battery has gotten weaker and weaker and weaker .... you say you can drive around for a while then it will start fine so the alternator may be ok but the batter sounds to me like it has a weak or bad cells.
2007-09-22 21:45:17 · answer #2 · answered by grande alacrán 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could be drag on the starter,but sounds more like the battery.Have someone stand in front of the car,turn the headlights on and try to start it.If the lights go out or so dim its hard to tell the battery is suspect.Any auto parts or garage can load test a battery.You;ll need amp meters to test the drag on a starter.....George
2007-09-22 21:53:02 · answer #3 · answered by tgeorge12000 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try this the next time it will not start and this is one way of telling if your starter is going bad or not.. Most of the time this will work. Get a hammer on pound not hard on the starter casing and see if it cranks up and if it does you need a new starter.
2007-09-22 21:45:54 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds like you may have a dead cell in your battery. and might need to replace it. if you have a auto zone parts store or an advance auto parts store around that checks your battery and alternators for free like we have here i would try that first. or any parts store that does these free checks on them.or you may have a short. good luck and best wishes.
2007-09-22 21:48:53 · answer #5 · answered by Gladys C 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋