Please Help...Car wont start
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 94
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From: Augusta GA
Please Help...Car wont start
So I drive the vette home from work last night (it is a 2001 A4) went in the house for maybe five minutes hopped back in and it wont start. There is a clicking/ticking sound coming from the chrome covered box next to the fuse box inside the car on the passenger side. When you put the key in and turn the acc on I get nothing no lights, radio, dome light nothing, when I turn the key as if starting the clicking stops but nothing else happens, it doesnt turn over or try to turn over like it would if the battery was dying. Where do I begin looking to figure this out??? What is the chrome covered box, and why would it be making a clicking sound? Greatly Appreciate any assistance!
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,188
Likes: 4,178
From: Kannapolis NC
Reach down beside the battery box and near the exhaust manifold and wiggle the big red wire going to the starter. It should have no movement on the starter post. If it does, you'll get the symptoms you have. You can disconnect one of your battery leads and tighten the nut on the starter post. If the bakelite that insulates the post from the starter has burned, the post itself will be loose and the starter must be replaced. If the post is loose, tighten the nut (slightly) to get the car started and get it somewhere to replace the starter. Also check your connections on the battery side of the cables for corrosion or loose fit.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 30
From: San Rafael CA
So I drive the vette home from work last night (it is a 2001 A4) went in the house for maybe five minutes hopped back in and it wont start. There is a clicking/ticking sound coming from the chrome covered box next to the fuse box inside the car on the passenger side. When you put the key in and turn the acc on I get nothing no lights, radio, dome light nothing, when I turn the key as if starting the clicking stops but nothing else happens, it doesnt turn over or try to turn over like it would if the battery was dying. Where do I begin looking to figure this out??? What is the chrome covered box, and why would it be making a clicking sound? Greatly Appreciate any assistance!
Unlike cars of "olden days" where, if you had a weak battery, you would hear the engine crank VERY slowly - or even just try to crank ... now when voltage is low the starter is never even asked to start the car. The computers know voltage is too low and to protect the starter they never even try it.
Sounds to me like bad battery or bad connections to the battery. How old is the battery ??
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,960
Likes: 21
From: West Norriton PA
St. Jude Donor '08
That box is the Body Control Module (BCM) which is one of several computers in your car. The BCM works together with the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), the computer that controls the engine and auto transmission, at engine start. The BCM controls relays that provide the IGN1 and IGN2 power to the Instrument Panel Fuse Block.
Unlike cars of "olden days" where, if you had a weak battery, you would hear the engine crank VERY slowly - or even just try to crank ... now when voltage is low the starter is never even asked to start the car. The computers know voltage is too low and to protect the starter they never even try it.
Sounds to me like bad battery or bad connections to the battery. How old is the battery ??
Unlike cars of "olden days" where, if you had a weak battery, you would hear the engine crank VERY slowly - or even just try to crank ... now when voltage is low the starter is never even asked to start the car. The computers know voltage is too low and to protect the starter they never even try it.
Sounds to me like bad battery or bad connections to the battery. How old is the battery ??
Try a jump and if it starts you probably have a bad battery.
