So drove to a friends house for the superbowl, went to get some nachos for the pre party and nothing. Drove fine all the way there with no issues, but now no cranking at all.

Symptoms:
1) All electrical in tha car works, brand new battery.
2) Car will click when clutch pedal depressed (so guessing its not that switch)
3) I can jump start the car so guessing it isnt the key pellet? Maybe?
4) I have the car at auto service place for a new starter possibly but can it be anything else? I have heard of the theft relay or something like that in the passenger foot well just crapping out as a possible problem.

Anyone ever here of the starter just up and dieing?

thanks,

 

Yes, the starter can just die...mine did last year...but if that were the case, jump-starting it won't help. If it came to life when you jumped it, your new battery might be bad (it happens), or possibly a cable or cable end problem.

Or did you mean push-start it?

 

make sure that both your battery wires are tight.

 

yeah sorry, push started it, jump starting didnt have a chance. Had two brand new batteries, so i dont think that is the problem so I am narrowing it down to:
1) loose cable at starter end
2) dead starter

I got a call from Seara Auto where I took it and they said the starter had a dead spot and a belt was rotted, which belt i dont know but Im sure I am getting taken, but i need the car back. Cars got 107k so maybe there are a few belts that are shot.

Total cost 425 for the starter, labor, belt.

 

1.i would have done the age old trick of tapping on the starter with a wrench. you'd be supprised how much that actually works, plus it tells you right away that it's the starter.

2.one thing that you have to keep in mind is that just because it's a new battery doesn't mean it's a good battery. it can have enough power to work all the interior stuff but not enough to crank the starter, especially one with over 100th miles on it. that bad belt might have a lot to due with a weak battery too if it is an alternator belt. if it is an alternator belt then you should have your alternator tested asap because a weak battery will kill a good alternator and you don't want to be stranded do to that.

3.just for future reference, if the car starts only after jump starting it, don't automatically asume that it's the batteries fault. it could still very well be the starter thats bad. many starters will still work after they've gone bad provided they get enough voltage hence once two batteries are hooked up. i've seen many people buy and install a new battery only to have it not start the car due to the starter being bad. then they usually have a hard time getting their money back for a battery that's already been installed. always have your parts tested before replacing them.

4.hope everything works out with your car and sorry to hear you're having trouble with it in the first place. i know how much that sucks. if i were you i would make the shop that has your car show you in person, them testing your starter and that it shows bad. if they say that they don't have it ask them which parts house (autozone, advance auto, etc) they used and call them. they will have your old starter there as the core and willl be able to test it for you for free. unfortunatley, unless you know and trust the people working on your car, you really need to see these things for yourself as opposed to taking their word for it because like you said yourself, you just might be getting taken. hope all this helps anyone whos read it.