starting probs

1995LegWag · 08-02-2005, 06:53 PM

I know I shouldn't come on here and say:
"My car won't start, whats wrong?"

BUT:

I turn the key and the solenoid clicks, but nothing turns over. I replaced the battery, and it worked for a while. Then the same thing happened. Clicking but no turning over. I can turn on the radio. lights, roll down the windows, everything...so I figured it was the alternator. I replaced the alternator. Everything was okay for a week...now the same thing...I'm guessing something electrical is munching at the battery power because it can be jumped no prob. Is there a systematic way of checking for a short, or a wire that could be draining my battery? The last thing I want to do is check the wiring harness inch by inch...has this happened to anyone else or do you guys have any suggestions? All the fuses are working too.

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Jonathan · 08-03-2005, 12:48 AM

Maybe the starter has become "old" and is drawing an excessive amount of current ?

Getting a 'jump' from someone else's battery would get a failing starter to turn over in this instance.

However, when it doesn't start, you might want to have your battery checked just to make sure its still healthy, and not getting 'discharged' by some phantom electrical gremlin, like you seem to be thinking.

Have you had the headlights ON, when you try cranking the starter ? Did they go DIM, when the solenoid clicks but the engine doesnt crank ?
Also it might be a smart thing to clean the hot starter lead and the battery terminal contacts of any dirt, rust or corrosion, just to make sure the starter is getting all of your batteries energy.

(Use extreme caution when doing this as there is enough current in a healthy battery to weld metal - please REMOVE all watches, rings, bracelets and other assorted metallic jewlery. You dont want these things melting on your person!)

1995LegWag · 08-03-2005, 01:17 AM

well ,before I posted I did clean off the connections to the starter. One was really (REALLY) dirty and may have been robbing power. The battery is a week old so I dont think thats the problem. All the contacts to the battery and the grounds away from it are all clean too. Hopefully it was that wire that leads to the starter. I barely pulled at it and it came off with lots of road grime. Just checking to see if there was anything else I could do to trouble shoot the problem. (don't worry, when I work on my cars I always undo one battery terminal.

no welded rings to bone on my hands)

Jonathan · 08-05-2005, 12:23 AM

So... Is the starting problem "Cured" ??

08-02-2005, 06:53 PM	#1
1995LegWag Scooby Newbie Member#: 90019 Join Date: Jun 2005 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Philadelphia Vehicle: 1995 Legacy rusty blue	starting probs I know I shouldn't come on here and say: "My car won't start, whats wrong?" BUT: I turn the key and the solenoid clicks, but nothing turns over. I replaced the battery, and it worked for a while. Then the same thing happened. Clicking but no turning over. I can turn on the radio. lights, roll down the windows, everything...so I figured it was the alternator. I replaced the alternator. Everything was okay for a week...now the same thing...I'm guessing something electrical is munching at the battery power because it can be jumped no prob. Is there a systematic way of checking for a short, or a wire that could be draining my battery? The last thing I want to do is check the wiring harness inch by inch...has this happened to anyone else or do you guys have any suggestions? All the fuses are working too. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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08-03-2005, 12:48 AM	#2
Jonathan Scooby Guru Member#: 4021 Join Date: Feb 2001 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Natick, MA USA Vehicle: 1999 Legacy GT Ltd Quick Silver Metallic	Maybe the starter has become "old" and is drawing an excessive amount of current ? Getting a 'jump' from someone else's battery would get a failing starter to turn over in this instance. However, when it doesn't start, you might want to have your battery checked just to make sure its still healthy, and not getting 'discharged' by some phantom electrical gremlin, like you seem to be thinking. Have you had the headlights ON, when you try cranking the starter ? Did they go DIM, when the solenoid clicks but the engine doesnt crank ? Also it might be a smart thing to clean the hot starter lead and the battery terminal contacts of any dirt, rust or corrosion, just to make sure the starter is getting all of your batteries energy. (Use extreme caution when doing this as there is enough current in a healthy battery to weld metal - please REMOVE all watches, rings, bracelets and other assorted metallic jewlery. You dont want these things melting on your person!)

08-03-2005, 01:17 AM	#3
1995LegWag Scooby Newbie Member#: 90019 Join Date: Jun 2005 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Philadelphia Vehicle: 1995 Legacy rusty blue	well ,before I posted I did clean off the connections to the starter. One was really (REALLY) dirty and may have been robbing power. The battery is a week old so I dont think thats the problem. All the contacts to the battery and the grounds away from it are all clean too. Hopefully it was that wire that leads to the starter. I barely pulled at it and it came off with lots of road grime. Just checking to see if there was anything else I could do to trouble shoot the problem. (don't worry, when I work on my cars I always undo one battery terminal. no welded rings to bone on my hands)

08-05-2005, 12:23 AM	#4
Jonathan Scooby Guru Member#: 4021 Join Date: Feb 2001 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Natick, MA USA Vehicle: 1999 Legacy GT Ltd Quick Silver Metallic	So... Is the starting problem "Cured" ??