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Hi Ava,
it might be the alternator. When the alternator is bad it will drain your battery really quick.
It might also be just a bad battery, you can check your battery for free at autozone or
o’reilly.
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If moving the battery allowed the engine to start it sounds like a loose battery cable. If you have the tools, tighten the cables. If not take the car to any of the auto parts stores and have them test the battery for free....part of the test while consist of them tightening the cables....problem solved.
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AAA is the key to car issues baby 
$ 49 a year and all of problems are solved
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Could be your starter.
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Sounds like loose cable connection or corroded terminal. If neither of those probably the battery not charging properly. Believe it or not an old school trick for corrosion is to pour coke over the terminal, let set for a few minutes and clean up.
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You don't state what kind of car it is, nor the age (of the battery). that might help those that are knowledgeable about cars help.
I've had cars from the 60's to modern cars, older cars would on a low battery turn, but sound weak when the engine cranked (slowly).
The more modern (computer controlled) cars do exactly as you describe on a low battery, a click, but no engine turn.
As said above, AAA will come to you, they will test the battery to see if it's good or bad & sell you are replacement on the spot & install.
best of luck.
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If it's just the battery, that's fairly simple to replace if you do it yourself.
If the problem is the starter or alternator, that's a bit more complicated.
Watch some YouTube videos, if you're mechanically inclined.
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Listen to Chief; start with the simple stuff.
If cables are ok whack the starter (solenoid, if you can find it) with a hammer.
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It’s your starter.
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Bad starters make the clicking sound. A quick way to know it’s not your battery if it the inside lights turn on or your headlights. It you have an American car, it should be easier to replace than a Japanese or European vehicle.
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Babe from your description sounds like a bad starter depending on can should be easy fix two bolts and 2 cables removed and the starter. What car are you driving?
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If moving the battery fixes it, check the ground (“-“ or black cable). Sometimes there’s a wire that comes off the negative cable and grounds to the body of the car. I’ve had the same issue with a Toyota pickup I owned.
Hope this helps.
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If the battery is old , start by replacing it. You will have to anyway. It should have a date on it. If that doesn’t solve the problem, check out the Alternator
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If the car starts with a jump, it’s the battery.
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How old is the Battery ? As they only last about 4-5 years. Some have a little round sticker on the Bat , what does it say ? It's just the Month and year.
Corrosion is the silent enemy. Spray some chain lube, or something like it on the terminals after cleaning them and reinstall. WD 40 is not good enough, needs to be thicker but works for a shorter period of time if that's all one has.
Some Battery's will set your back a 150$ these days. Goto Walmart.
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Bring the old one with you so you don't have to pay the core charge and save you an extra trip.
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If you got a jump and it started then that's ruled out a lot of stuff - starter solenoid, starter etc.
Sounds like it's either bad battery cable or connection or a bad battery - only enough juice in the battery to engage the starter but not enough to make it spin - that 'clicking' noise it the starter engaging.
Fix: Check the battery cables and if there's a lot of greenish or white dust on or around it or where it connects to the battery post. If it's just at the connection and not on the cable itself remove it from the battery and use a wire brush to clean both the cable connection and the battery post and reconnect it and see if the car will start. If it's on the rubber/plastic cable cover you'll have to buy a new cable for the hot and ground and replace the cables. Clean up the posts at the same time you replace the cables.
If you can get a jump take your car to a napa, autozone, oreillys car part store and ask them to test the battery. They'll take it out and put it on their charger. If it's bad they'll install the new one as well.
BTW an easy test to see if your alternator's working is - while the car is running loosen one of the battery cables and remove it. If the engine starts to die it's the alternator if the engine remains running your alternators good and it's something else.
Good luck!
Atticus Finch
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Do not, under any circumstances, attach jumper cables to your nips
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Corroded/loose cable connection. Had that happen multiple times to me. Remove the cable lug from the battery, pour a solution of baking soda and water ONLY ON THE TERMIANL POSTS (keep it out of the actual cells) and battery cable lug. Use an old toothbrush to clean any loose material off. Put back on and tighten it good. May need a jump the first time you try to start, but not after that.
If a woman takes it to a place like to a store that has tire and battery service (e.g., Kmart) they will tell you it is the alternator (it isn't) and that you need a new battery as well (not necessarily). Just have them do the cleaning maintenance and see it that works FIRST! Save yourself hundreds of dollars of unnecessary costs!
If the battery has been discharged and re-charged several times it may go bad so it is important to correct this condition as soon as possible.
Any girl can accomplish this with simple tools, but if you do take it to a store, auto mechanic, or even a dealership; have a guy go with you to do the negotiations. Women are still being taken advantage of when it comes to auto repairs.
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Whats that clicking noise??
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Pouring coke over the terminal also works in a pinch. clean the terminal afterwards.
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Sounds like it can be your starter
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Marissa you are a weapon. Excellent response.
In my young days I was a mechanic. Id go step by step. A clicking sound is coming from the starter. This means that it is not getting the juice it needs so it just cycles the bendix (clicking). Can be an acute or chronic condition. Acute would be loose or corroded battery posts. Check that first. Second, if the posts are tight and relatively clean Id suspect the battery is bad or low. Need to have it checked. Generally if the battery is over 5 years old just replace it anyway. It will leave you stranded. If the battery turns out to be good then it must either not be getting charged by the alternator or the starter is bad. At this point take it to an honest mechanic for further analysis.
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So here is the Deal! Your vehicle is a no start/ no crank (opposed to a crank no start) indicating your starter is not engaging. First thing to check is the battery integrity (do a load test) and ensure battery is getting a good connection. If the battery is no bueno replace it and make sure the terminals are clean and it has a good connection. So if the battery is good (good voltage and CCA,s) and connection is good then next you test the starter. Do not remove it and take it to your local parts store that is total BS and not the proper way to test it! You need a volt ohm meter and confirm the starter is getting 12v from battery cable (if not possible issue w/ cable) and then confirm the starter solenoid is getting power when the ignition is cycled if both are good then you must turn the engine over by hand to ensure motor is not seized (not good) if the motor is not seized and both powers are present then the starter is defective. That’s it in a Nut shell. PM me if you have questions??
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Most common issue is dead battery: Do you hear a clicking noise when you turn the key in your car's ignition? This clicking noise is usually caused by one of five things: a dead battery, loose wiring, faulty starter motor, faulty ignition switch or corroded battery terminals.
Many auto parts stores will check your battery for free to let you know if it's bad or just discharged... if you're up for taking it out yourself. (It's heavy)
Does your insurance policy have a disabled vehicle feature? They'll send somebody out to check/fix a bad battery.
Or, sign up for AAA (less than a hundred bucks) then call them out. They'll tell you what's wrong. If it's the battery, they'll sell you one.
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BTW a volt/ohm meter won't work @vdubmike. You have to test a battery under load to see if it's any good. A meter might tell you you have 12+ volts available on a bad battery but it wont start your car. When a shop, parts store or AAA tests your battery they us a specialized battery tester that puts a load on the battery to see if it's able to put out the power (cranking amps) to start your car.
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MOST LIKELY this is what MOST WANTED would say
its little can a Red Bull piggy backing on your starter called a solenoid,
fords have the solenoid mounted and the side wall and are easy to change,
and you can jump them with a screw driver
and can be changed without having to g GO DEEP and change starter,
but a lot of cars have them mounted on the starter and you have to take out the whole fucking motor
out to get to the starter, to replace the solenoid,
which really SUCKS THE BIG ONE, so at that point,you might as well
change BOTH, do not buy one from AUTO ZONE
cause it will fail in a couple of years even if its the best one they have
buy the starter CHEAP BRAND NAME DELCO BOSCH BENDIX on EBAY and ask a mechanic how
much he charges to do a starter change out. Some are really easy to do. PREMIER AT AAA CUB tows
you 200 miles and gives you a free car rental, they have a list of reputable mechanics GOOD LUCK
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^ Except she said she was able to jump start the car the day before.
So NOT the solenoid.
Atticus Finch
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I indicated that the battery needs to be tested for voltage and CCA’s ( cold cranking amps)which would obviously require a load test. The volt ohm meter is for testing the starter after the battery is confirmed good w/ good connection. If the starter does not have 12v to the starter then it is possible the cable is not transferring the power due to corrosion build up in the cable. Diagnosing your ride is not a guessing game and the diagnostic should be done it the proper order.
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some thing has become >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INTERMIITTANT,
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So many involved answers when
Most likely a new battery is needed. Good place to start. If it’s old, it’s done
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This blog was started 5 days ago. I would imagine she has resolved the issue by now.
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In the good old days you could park on a hill and pop start it in 2nd gear.
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| There are 33 comments on this blog. |
