I'm back, and already need help :(
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 782
Likes: 0
From: Elizabeth New Jersey
I'm back, and already need help :(
Hi guys, sorry I've been away from the forums 
I started college again so I've been so busy, but I'm adabted now, so hopefully I'll be around more.
I already need help. My reverse lights always are always on. I don't know how to fix that . And the car died on me yestrday I think it's the starter. When I turn on the key all I hear is a clicking sound. I doubt it's the battery since I hooked it up to a charger with 160 amp. Anyway let me know what you guys think so I could go order the parts tonight, and bring her back by monday 
P.S. It's great to be back!
I started college again so I've been so busy, but I'm adabted now, so hopefully I'll be around more.I already need help. My reverse lights always are always on. I don't know how to fix that
. And the car died on me yestrday I think it's the starter. When I turn on the key all I hear is a clicking sound. I doubt it's the battery since I hooked it up to a charger with 160 amp. Anyway let me know what you guys think so I could go order the parts tonight, and bring her back by monday P.S. It's great to be back!
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: algonac michigan
if your lights are drawing down your battery
you will have to fully charge it before you try to start it.
battery approx 650 amps
charger on totally dead battery 160 amps.......not enough
back up lights are on switch on gear shifter, unplug them till you
chase down problem, lift console plate plug underneath......
caution there is another set of wires in there too.....they are larger gauge this is your neutral safety switch...if you unplug this it will not start
good luck
R.
you will have to fully charge it before you try to start it.
battery approx 650 amps
charger on totally dead battery 160 amps.......not enough
back up lights are on switch on gear shifter, unplug them till you
chase down problem, lift console plate plug underneath......
caution there is another set of wires in there too.....they are larger gauge this is your neutral safety switch...if you unplug this it will not start
good luck
R.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 782
Likes: 0
From: Elizabeth New Jersey
I doubt it's the battery though, because the charger I had it hooked to, said that the battery was charged :-/
By the way when the car died, I had the car on with headlights up etc. Then I turned off the car with the lights still on, and I heard a little rattle sound, tried to turn the car back on but nothing, hope that helps
By the way when the car died, I had the car on with headlights up etc. Then I turned off the car with the lights still on, and I heard a little rattle sound, tried to turn the car back on but nothing, hope that helps
Last edited by Corvus; Oct 8, 2004 at 02:13 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 782
Likes: 0
From: Elizabeth New Jersey
Sorry for the double post
Ok, I just jump started the car, now instead of a low clicking sound, when I turn the key I get a loud grinding noise. What do you guys think it is? I need your help so I could bring her back asap.
Ok, I just jump started the car, now instead of a low clicking sound, when I turn the key I get a loud grinding noise. What do you guys think it is? I need your help so I could bring her back asap.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
From: Chambersburg PA
Could be a broken starter gear or bad solonoid. But I think the battery is more likely the cultpit. A bad battery can have a 12v charge and still be bad. Take it to a shop and have them test it with a load. Then check your wires. When trouble shooting always work from cheapest/easiest to Most expensive/hardest.
I remember getting into a dispute with an Atlanta corvette shop because they replaced my starter and when that didn't work eventually replaced the cluch safty switch. I told them I weasn't paying for the starter as it was not the problem...they said "no the starter was still bad". They never saw the car or any of my parts business again ( they also sold restoration parts).
I remember getting into a dispute with an Atlanta corvette shop because they replaced my starter and when that didn't work eventually replaced the cluch safty switch. I told them I weasn't paying for the starter as it was not the problem...they said "no the starter was still bad". They never saw the car or any of my parts business again ( they also sold restoration parts).
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 782
Likes: 0
From: Elizabeth New Jersey
Originally Posted by i885744
sounds like you might have a dead starter. Do you have a automatic? If you've got a manual try the ole pop start method. Manual tranny's reverse light switch is on the side of the tranny itself.
What's the ole pop start method?
And do you really think it might still be the battery? After all I had the car connected to another car, when I started it the second time
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,865
Likes: 1
From: I may be getting old but I refuse to grow up
Originally Posted by Corvus
What's the ole pop start method?
And do you really think it might still be the battery? After all I had the car connected to another car, when I started it the second time
And do you really think it might still be the battery? After all I had the car connected to another car, when I started it the second time
The only way to rule out the battery is to have it tested
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Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
From: Chambersburg PA
You can only pop start a manual. To do this put the car in second gear have someone push...the faster the better. Pop the clutch..the car will buck and stumble to life. If it has sat a while or normally needs a lot of cranking, you better start on top of a big hill or your "pusher" will get pissed.
Last edited by 75rag4sp; Oct 8, 2004 at 03:41 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 917
Likes: 0
From: Vernon British Columbia
St. Jude Donor '05
First C3 General Poster!
it will work with a bad starter, and that grinding noise is DEFINITELY the starter. I had one go on my cutlass, it did the same thing...if its making that **** grinding noise, forget about it, buy a new starter. Batery could be ill as well, but I dout its 100% the problem.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 782
Likes: 0
From: Elizabeth New Jersey
Ok so here's what I do :
I make my friend push it while it's in second, and I'm pressing the clutch pedal.
Now I release the clutch, while turning the key so the distrub could spin, and the car should start right?
How fast should I be going before I do this? and it must be in 2nd gear? why 2nd not 1st or 3rd?
I make my friend push it while it's in second, and I'm pressing the clutch pedal.
Now I release the clutch, while turning the key so the distrub could spin, and the car should start right?
How fast should I be going before I do this? and it must be in 2nd gear? why 2nd not 1st or 3rd?
Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
From: Chambersburg PA
basically yes....
1. get in the car...turn ignition to "on" not start
2. put in second gear (not critical but matches the starter cranking RPM the closest)
3. have your buddy Push as fast as he can
4. Pop the clutch...The car will buck and stumble to life...or putter out.
It may take two or three tries so pick a spot with some room. Trust me you will only get about three shots then your buddy will have you pushing. Dont try to crank the engine just have the ignition on. When you pop the clutch the moving car turns over the engine...just like engine moves the car when its running.
1. get in the car...turn ignition to "on" not start
2. put in second gear (not critical but matches the starter cranking RPM the closest)
3. have your buddy Push as fast as he can
4. Pop the clutch...The car will buck and stumble to life...or putter out.
It may take two or three tries so pick a spot with some room. Trust me you will only get about three shots then your buddy will have you pushing. Dont try to crank the engine just have the ignition on. When you pop the clutch the moving car turns over the engine...just like engine moves the car when its running.
Last edited by 75rag4sp; Oct 8, 2004 at 04:50 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
If your starter is bad, the duralast starter will do the job. BTW, I took my son over to an open parking lot and taught him how to
"Pop start" his truck if he ever needed to do this. Good think I did, he has had to do it at school when he left his lights on.
"Pop start" his truck if he ever needed to do this. Good think I did, he has had to do it at school when he left his lights on.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
From: Chambersburg PA
[QUOTE=BigBlockk]I would check all connections on the battery and the starter before getting parts. Could just be a bad connection.
Again check cheapest/easiest first then work up. Electrical parts are not returnable
Again check cheapest/easiest first then work up. Electrical parts are not returnable
