Replaced battery- now what?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 6,477
Likes: 1
From: Albuquerque NM
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Replaced battery- now what?
Just replaced my car's battery, and I'm still having problems getting it started. As some of you have read before, my car doesn't like to start up. When I turn the key, there is no noise what so ever except for the click of the key turning. I don't hear the engine turning over, starting up, or anything. But then, after a couple tries, it will start up perfectly and run fine.
Any more thoughts?
I have heard that it is maybe the starter solenoid, but I don't want to fishing around the starter if possible. Seems kinda hard to get to.
Thanks!
*Edit- thought it might help if you knew that it is an '89 auto. :cheers:
[Modified by UA89Vette, 8:33 PM 10/12/2003]
Any more thoughts?
I have heard that it is maybe the starter solenoid, but I don't want to fishing around the starter if possible. Seems kinda hard to get to.
Thanks!
*Edit- thought it might help if you knew that it is an '89 auto. :cheers:
[Modified by UA89Vette, 8:33 PM 10/12/2003]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 992
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta GA
Re: Replaced battery- now what? (UA89Vette)
I agree with you there....the starter is easy to get to.....2 bolts and its out.....to small nuts for the wires and its off....drop it down and change it and your bak in bussiness......Or could it be the VATS system?.......Or mine had an issue just awhile back where it would run fine and out of the clear blue it would not start....took me a few times of getting stranded before I figure out it was the ECM....changed it as it was under waranty and it was fixed....Hope these ideas help....I wish I could help you more...good luck
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Re: Replaced battery- now what? (UA89Vette)
You might have a VATS problem. First try your spare ign key as its pellet is not worn like your everyday key. Can you hear a relay clicking behind the center of the dash when you hit crank? If you can, then VATS isn't the problem. When the problem occurs again, try jumping the clutch switch (gear selector switch if auto). You can jump 12v to the larger purple wire on the clutch switch going to the starter (gear selector switch if auto) to prove the starter is defective. Find the wires from the tumbler that "make" with the pellet (on my 87 they come out the bottom of the steering column under the carpet to a 2 pin connector) and unplug the connector and with the key in place, measure the resistance of the wires from the column. They should measure the same as the pellet. If over 13 k ohms, you need a new tumbler assy. You can temporarily bypass VATS by clipping a fixed resistor across the wires going to the passenger side (VATS module) until you can schedule a tumbler replacement. Don't permanently bypass VATS because 99% of thefts are done by bashing the column and jumping the ign.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 6,477
Likes: 1
From: Albuquerque NM
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Re: Replaced battery- now what? (jfb)
I've tried both keys, and have the same problems with both of them, so I don't think that it is the VATS. And yes! I can hear a relay clicking behind the of the dash.
One more question- where the heck is the starter? :confused: :banghead:
[Modified by UA89Vette, 8:33 PM 10/12/2003]
One more question- where the heck is the starter? :confused: :banghead:
[Modified by UA89Vette, 8:33 PM 10/12/2003]
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 10
From: Nashville TN
Re: Replaced battery- now what? (UA89Vette)
The starter sits next to the oil pan on the passenger side. Bottom and all the way back on the engine. Are you hearing the click of the relay or the starter solenoid?
If the solenoid is good, then you will hear a click when it engages the flywheel. And if the motor itself is bad, then it will not turn over. My bet is a starter motor. Lift the front end, take the two wires off the starter, and then two bolts and take it to Autozone, they will test the starter for you for free. Get them to check it a few times since it is an intermittent problem.
If you know how to use a multimeter, check the wires to make sure the starter to see if it getting 11~12 volts. The large wire is for power, the smaller one is the activation wire, and it grounds itself to the block.
If the solenoid is good, then you will hear a click when it engages the flywheel. And if the motor itself is bad, then it will not turn over. My bet is a starter motor. Lift the front end, take the two wires off the starter, and then two bolts and take it to Autozone, they will test the starter for you for free. Get them to check it a few times since it is an intermittent problem.
If you know how to use a multimeter, check the wires to make sure the starter to see if it getting 11~12 volts. The large wire is for power, the smaller one is the activation wire, and it grounds itself to the block.
