Problem: Battery or Starter?

Question

I have a 1990 lincoln towncar. Got off work and it started fine. tried to start it again and it died out like the battery was drained but, it will not take a hot shot all it does is make click when I turn the key. The lights are bright radio plays fine and they don't dim when I turn the key. One day last week when I started it the car was slow to start like the battery was weak but it started right up. Does it sound like the starter or the battery? If it was the battery wouldn't it take a jump? Could it be a relay?Thanks

Answer 1

Probably the starter. I'd have the battery checked, mostly because its easy to do. Stop at anywhere that sell batterys and they'll check it for free. If you still have the problem. Remove the starter and take it to your favorite auto supply and have it tested. Bring the solenoid along and have it tested too. Most any time you feel the need to replace parts like that, have them tested to make sure that's your problem. It can be frustrating and expensive to replace parts, only to find your problem lye's somewhere else. I think it's your starter...

Answer 2

If your car started okay with a jump it is not likely the starter and if it took a charge and held it for a while it is not likely the battery or alternator unless you have an intermittent open in the windings. The flickering headlights and interior lights could be anything from a corroded connection to a problem in your wiring harness, but the first thing you should look for is a loose ground. If it sits for a couple of days and the battery looses enough charge that it will not crank (turn the starter) you either have a dead cell or a short in your wiring that is putting a drain on your battery. A good auto shop will test both your battery and your alternator on the vehicle and tell you if one or both are bad. If you go across your battery terminals with a multimeter while the engine is running and read voltage above 16 you can pretty well plan on a bad alternator. If it is 14 or below but above or around 12.6 your alternator should be okay. Also consider the age of the battery, how frequently you run your car and how much of a load you put on your electrical system. If you rarely drive, you battery will gradually just run down but the cells will be okay and it will take a charge. Bottom line is be careful about suggesting to your mechanic or garage that you think you have a bad battery, alternator, or starter or you may wind up getting all three replaced. Sadly, such happens all to often. Good Luck. Note: If you disconnect a fuel injected vehicle with the engine running it absolutely will cut off. The battery runs the fuel injection. And never remove the positive terminal first. Always remove the negative cable first.

Answer 3

I agree with the 2 other guys who said to check the terminalson the battery, but also chek the cables going to the battery. I had the same problem with my 1996 thunderbird with the 4.6 v8 engine. should be the same engine you have in your car. I couldnt see it by just looking at it bu feel your way down the cabl see if the cable is fatter closer to the battery mine was and it was corroded inside the cable . luckilly I had enough cable where I could cut it back and still reach the battery. If you dont clean the cable as best you can

Answer 4

Dirty/corroded battery posts/terminals will cause the exact problem you describe. Easy to clean. The battery or starter could be bad as well, but I'd start with the battery posts/terminals.

Answer 5

most likely it could be the starter...ive had this problem my self with two of my older vehicles where the car still would start with a jump-start even though the battery was ok...but with mentioning the click whenever you start the car makes it really close to say that your stater is the problem

Answer 6

Check the connections on the negative and positive terminals. May be dirty and not charging from the alternator. Also check connections on the starter.

You can also load test the battery to see if it will maintain voltage under load. Most repair shops will check for free.