Car won't start

LeVeL · October 13th, 2009, 7:09 PM

Drove to get some food the other day; came out half an hour later and the car wouldn't start. Engine doesn't turn over at all; it clicks once when I try to start it. Electrics work fine and I tried jumping it just in case - didn't help. AAA dude said that its not the starter because then the click would be really loud and easily audible outside the car, while mine clicks quietly (maybe its just the ignition clicking?). Any ideas? AAA was only there to tow me to a parking lot that I have a permit for.
note: speak to me like I'm a retarded five-year-old - I don't know anything about car electrics (got some friends who can help me replace whatever is broken though). People started telling about voltages, multimeters, solenoids... way over my head lol. I'd rather replace an axle than a fuse images/smilies/lol.gif

argatoga · October 13th, 2009, 7:19 PM

I'd guess it is the starter. Or whatever should be powering it.

thevictor390 · October 13th, 2009, 7:20 PM

Someone I knew had a similar problem, turned out to be a fuse. However, every replacement fuse immediately blew as well. We never got to the root of it because it wasn't worth troubleshooting on his Saturn worth $300, but a mechanic we took it to suspected a short somewhere.

_HighVoltage_ · October 13th, 2009, 7:23 PM

I would suspect the spark plugs and the distributor.

LeVeL · October 13th, 2009, 7:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by argatoga

I'd guess it is the starter. Or whatever should be powering it.

AAA dude said that if it was the starter it would click really loud... which it doesn't do.

Quote:

Originally Posted by _HighVoltage_

I would suspect the spark plugs and the distributor.

Spark plugs are about two months old.

_HighVoltage_ · October 13th, 2009, 7:33 PM

How about the distributor? And the coils (the leads from the sparkplugs) check those.
If water gets into you distributor, the car won't start. But I don't see how this could've happened if you were just in a shop for 30 min.

argatoga · October 13th, 2009, 7:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeVeL

AAA dude said that if it was the starter it would click really loud... which it doesn't do.

I've had a starter die on me without any loud noise.

Nabster · October 13th, 2009, 7:57 PM

Another for the starter. They can fail in multiple ways making all sorts of different sounds. Have one of your mechanical friends take the starter out an take it to any auto store and have it tested.

Spectre · October 13th, 2009, 7:59 PM

Many modern cars have a 'critical voltage' below which they won't even try to start, though all the electrics still appear to work. How old is the battery in the car?

LeVeL · October 13th, 2009, 8:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spectre

Many modern cars have a 'critical voltage' below which they won't even try to start, though all the electrics still appear to work. How old is the battery in the car?

Good question. Got the car from my dad a few months ago, I'll ask him lol

Steve Levin · October 13th, 2009, 8:14 PM

Sounds like low voltage or a failed starter solenoid.

don't worry about things like plugs until the engine is turning and not firing -- and if it is doing that I would think crank position sensor before plugs.

Steve

airmenair · October 13th, 2009, 9:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _HighVoltage_

I would suspect the spark plugs and the distributor.

?

Anyway, my bet is its a low battery. Electrics can still work if the battery is undercharged. Usually starters don't just die all of a sudden. I've had one die and typically they make some horrendous noises before kicking the dirt. What kind of car is it? If it has a starter motor relay that could be the issue too. Easy way to diagnose that is to bypass the relay by hooking up a jumper cable lead to each post of the relay and see if the starter spins. (Note: If you do this disconnect the coil to distributor lead before performing this, you don't want it to actually start.)

So to recap:
1. Get battery tested/charged. Autozone/Oreillys will do it for free and as a courtesy install a new one for you if needed free of charge! images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

2. Move onto starter relay if one exists
3. Check for any blown fuses
4. Test out the starter

Always work from the cheapest/easiest potential cause first.

EDIT: Just realized you had no luck jumping it. I killed a battery a few months ago that ran out of water. I jumped it with no luck even though all the electrics still worked. As I recall anyway...

JScullin · October 13th, 2009, 9:40 PM

Pull the battery and have it tested. As well as the alternator. Autozone can do both those things for free for you. If you think it may be the starter give it a couple taps. It could be hitting a bad tooth on the motor and sticking. Have someone starting the car while you do this if needed. So long as nothing is in the way should the car turn over you can use a long pole and tap with a hammer on one end.

My guess is you have a bad cell in the battery. It's not putting out enough of a charge to prime the fuel system and start the car.

How old is the battery?

tranceporter · October 13th, 2009, 9:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JScullin

Pull the battery and have it tested. As well as the alternator. Autozone can do both those things for free for you. If you think it may be the starter give it a couple taps. It could be hitting a bad tooth on the motor and sticking. Have someone starting the car while you do this if needed. So long as nothing is in the way should the car turn over you can use a long pole and tap with a hammer on one end.

My guess is you have a bad cell in the battery. It's not putting out enough of a charge to prime the fuel system and start the car.

How old is the battery?

what he said

if your car is clicking then it's not your starter. make sure your terminals are hooked up tight to the battery.

watisdis · October 13th, 2009, 10:56 PM

Electric Fuel Pump Relay Failure

Could also be a main relay failure, happened to my Honda about a month ago.

airmenair · October 13th, 2009, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by watisdis

Electric Fuel Pump Relay Failure

Could also be a main relay failure, happened to my Honda about a month ago.

If that were the case the car would turn over. The starter and fuel pump are not on the same circuit.

watisdis · October 13th, 2009, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airmenair

If that were the case the car would turn over. The starter and fuel pump are not on the same circuit.

D'oh! Forgot he said that. In that case, maybe it's a bad solenoid. The truck at work sometimes refuses to turn over until you bypass it.

LeVeL · October 15th, 2009, 1:38 AM

starter bearings are shot

LeVeL · October 16th, 2009, 7:26 PM

You, lot, have to stand back in awe...

http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/4663/77403315.jpg

I MENDED SOMETHING! Replaced the starter and the car works like a charm now!

argatoga · October 16th, 2009, 7:32 PM

Moral of the story: random people on the internet are more trustworthy than random AAA tow truck drivers. images/smilies/tongue.gif

October 13th, 2009, 7:09 PM	#1
LeVeL Joined: Jun 16th, 2007 Last Online: 7:51 AM Location: MA Age: 21 Posts: 2,974 Car: CG5/F23A1 Rep Power: 100	Car won't start Drove to get some food the other day; came out half an hour later and the car wouldn't start. Engine doesn't turn over at all; it clicks once when I try to start it. Electrics work fine and I tried jumping it just in case - didn't help. AAA dude said that its not the starter because then the click would be really loud and easily audible outside the car, while mine clicks quietly (maybe its just the ignition clicking?). Any ideas? AAA was only there to tow me to a parking lot that I have a permit for. note: speak to me like I'm a retarded five-year-old - I don't know anything about car electrics (got some friends who can help me replace whatever is broken though). People started telling about voltages, multimeters, solenoids... way over my head lol. I'd rather replace an axle than a fuse __________________ ^Don't worry he's a closet ~~homosexual~~ Miata driver. - Twerp128 flickr . . . photography + UMass Motorsport

October 13th, 2009, 7:19 PM	#2
argatoga Can't Start His Wank Joined: Oct 4th, 2005 Last Online: 6:43 AM Location: Washington State, USA Age: 26 Posts: 4,793 Car: '78 MG Midget, '78 Honda CB400t Rep Power: 164	I'd guess it is the starter. Or whatever should be powering it. __________________ "If you think about it breast implants aren't much different than braces. Their main purpose is to improve one's appearance, at least that's how it was in my case." - KaJun "Anyway, I'm off to eat my dick" - Austere

October 13th, 2009, 7:23 PM	#4
_HighVoltage_ Joined: Aug 5th, 2006 Last Online: 5:41 AM Location: Bulgaria/Athens,WV Age: 22 Posts: 2,668 Car: 1994 Volvo 854 Rep Power: 53	I would suspect the spark plugs and the distributor. __________________ If your tires are not squealing on the corners...you're simply not going fast enough.

October 13th, 2009, 7:33 PM	#6
_HighVoltage_ Joined: Aug 5th, 2006 Last Online: 5:41 AM Location: Bulgaria/Athens,WV Age: 22 Posts: 2,668 Car: 1994 Volvo 854 Rep Power: 53	How about the distributor? And the coils (the leads from the sparkplugs) check those. If water gets into you distributor, the car won't start. But I don't see how this could've happened if you were just in a shop for 30 min. __________________ If your tires are not squealing on the corners...you're simply not going fast enough.

October 13th, 2009, 7:57 PM	#8
Nabster Joined: Oct 15th, 2007 Last Online: 8:54 AM Location: Laramie, Wyoming Age: 21 Posts: 1,745 Car: 1969 Mustang Coupe - 01 Grand Prix GTP Rep Power: 86	Another for the starter. They can fail in multiple ways making all sorts of different sounds. Have one of your mechanical friends take the starter out an take it to any auto store and have it tested. __________________ ███████My car is greener than your car. █████████LegendZ live forever.

October 13th, 2009, 7:20 PM	#3
thevictor390 Joined: Mar 9th, 2007 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Massachusetts Age: 19 Posts: 1,999 Car: 2006 RX-8 Rep Power: 65	Someone I knew had a similar problem, turned out to be a fuse. However, every replacement fuse immediately blew as well. We never got to the root of it because it wasn't worth troubleshooting on his Saturn worth $300, but a mechanic we took it to suspected a short somewhere.

October 13th, 2009, 7:59 PM	#9
Spectre Joined: Feb 1st, 2007 Last Online: 9:12 AM Location: Dallas, Texas Age: 32 Posts: 8,359 Car: 87 XJ6, 95 XJR, 90 WD21, 86 CB700SC, 98 PC800 Rep Power: 191	Many modern cars have a 'critical voltage' below which they won't even try to start, though all the electrics still appear to work. How old is the battery in the car? __________________ Enough is enough. We are not here to subsidize your clueless business plans or reward your failures. 1986 Honda Nighthawk 700S (project, light restoration in progress) 1987 Jaguar XJ6 Series III Vanden Plas (modified) 1990 Nissan (WD21) Pathfinder SE 4x4 (little red offroad commuter box) 1995 Jaguar (X300) XJR 1998 Honda Pacific Coast PC800 (two-wheeled pickup truck/utility bike)

October 13th, 2009, 8:14 PM	#11
Steve Levin Master of Disaster Joined: Jun 7th, 2006 Last Online: 5:16 AM Location: Sunnyvale, California Posts: 1,077 Car: Spec Racer Ford! Rep Power: 52	Sounds like low voltage or a failed starter solenoid. don't worry about things like plugs until the engine is turning and not firing -- and if it is doing that I would think crank position sensor before plugs. Steve

October 13th, 2009, 9:40 PM	#13
JScullin Joined: Jun 5th, 2004 Last Online: 4:25 AM Location: Badassachusetts Posts: 325 Car: 2000 Mercury Cougar V6, MTX Rep Power: 32	Pull the battery and have it tested. As well as the alternator. Autozone can do both those things for free for you. If you think it may be the starter give it a couple taps. It could be hitting a bad tooth on the motor and sticking. Have someone starting the car while you do this if needed. So long as nothing is in the way should the car turn over you can use a long pole and tap with a hammer on one end. My guess is you have a bad cell in the battery. It's not putting out enough of a charge to prime the fuel system and start the car. How old is the battery? __________________ Skolenimation: My designs/art \| Modifications @ Cougardb.com Last edited by JScullin; October 13th, 2009 at 9:41 PM.

October 13th, 2009, 10:56 PM	#15
watisdis Coppin' a feel Joined: Mar 8th, 2006 Last Online: November 19th, 2009 Location: Over the Hills and Far Away Posts: 812 Rep Power: 30	Electric Fuel Pump Relay Failure Could also be a main relay failure, happened to my Honda about a month ago. __________________ In the event Sponsor is prevented from continuing with the Game as contemplated herein by any event beyond its control, including but not limited to fire, flood, natural or man-made health epidemic, earthquake, explosion, labor dispute or strike, act of God or public enemy, satellite or equipment failure, riot or civil disturbance, terrorist threat or activity, war (declared or undeclared) or any federal, state, provincial or local government law, order, or regulation, public health crisis, order of any court or jurisdiction, or other cause not reasonably within Sponsor's control (each a "Force Majeure" event or occurrence), then subject to any governmental approval which may be required, Sponsor shall have the right to modify, suspend, extend or terminate the Game.- Section 14(B)

October 15th, 2009, 1:38 AM	#18
LeVeL Joined: Jun 16th, 2007 Last Online: 7:51 AM Location: MA Age: 21 Posts: 2,974 Car: CG5/F23A1 Rep Power: 100	starter bearings are shot __________________ ^Don't worry he's a closet ~~homosexual~~ Miata driver. - Twerp128 flickr . . . photography + UMass Motorsport

October 16th, 2009, 7:26 PM	#19
LeVeL Joined: Jun 16th, 2007 Last Online: 7:51 AM Location: MA Age: 21 Posts: 2,974 Car: CG5/F23A1 Rep Power: 100	You, lot, have to stand back in awe... I MENDED SOMETHING! Replaced the starter and the car works like a charm now! __________________ ^Don't worry he's a closet ~~homosexual~~ Miata driver. - Twerp128 flickr . . . photography + UMass Motorsport

October 16th, 2009, 7:32 PM	#20
argatoga Can't Start His Wank Joined: Oct 4th, 2005 Last Online: 6:43 AM Location: Washington State, USA Age: 26 Posts: 4,793 Car: '78 MG Midget, '78 Honda CB400t Rep Power: 164	Moral of the story: random people on the internet are more trustworthy than random AAA tow truck drivers. __________________ "If you think about it breast implants aren't much different than braces. Their main purpose is to improve one's appearance, at least that's how it was in my case." - KaJun "Anyway, I'm off to eat my dick" - Austere

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