Car won't start! Help!

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Jul 23, 2004 | 03:02 PM

Gipper

Thread Starter

Race Director

Joined: Jul 1999

Posts: 16,623

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From: Chicago

St. Jude Donor '12

Car won't start! Help!

I just went out to grab some lunch but when I tried to start my car, it just gave me a fast tick, tick, tick, tick, tick... sound!?!? Battery seems fine since the radio and everything else works fine. Any ideas?

Jul 23, 2004 | 03:18 PM

Jimbad

Racer

Joined: Apr 2002

Posts: 265

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From: Derwood MD

St. Jude Donor '06-'09-'10-'11

The voltage required for horns, headlights et al is not a lot, especially when compared to the voltage needed for the starter, so the fact that those items are OK does not mean that your battery is in good condition. Take a vlotage reading across the battery terminals to really see the condition of your battery.
If it's fine and the car will still not fire try tapping on the ignition relay, which is located in the fuse/relay box aside of your battery. Your owner's manual will identify this relay. I hope that this helps.

Jul 23, 2004 | 03:26 PM

chaase

Team Owner

Joined: May 2003

Posts: 23,480

Likes: 9

From: East Meadow NY

St. Jude Donor '12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbad

The battery is low on amperage. I think the starter requires something like 300amps to start the car. The Horn and lights are much lower. The click-click-click sound is the tell-tale sign of the battery not having the juice to turn it over (been there, done that wat too many times).. The onl thing to determine is if the battery is shot, or if the aternator isn't charging the battery.

Chris

Jul 23, 2004 | 03:37 PM

Dave68

Race Director

Joined: Dec 2000

Posts: 19,304

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From: San Diego CA

If that is the original battery, chances are that it needs replacement. However, you should have it checked first to rule out the cause being a bad alternator or electrical drain. If the battery cannot accept/hold a charge, it's time for a new one.

Jul 23, 2004 | 04:29 PM

CAPN17

Safety Car

Joined: Mar 2001

Posts: 3,567

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From: Aurora IL

Put a good battery in the bloody thing and quit clicking. Batteries die when they feel like it, usually when it upsets the owner the most. Sounds like it is red top time.

Jul 23, 2004 | 05:33 PM

Bill Curlee

Tech Contributor

Joined: Dec 1999

Posts: 32,910

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From: Anthony TX

CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet

St. Jude Donor '08

Take a voltage reading between the POS and NEG terminals of the battery when someone tries to start the car, I bet that it drops downaround 6-7 volts!

Sounds like its time for a new battery. You could put a set of jumpers on it and let her charge for 15-20 min and give it a try. If she cranks, get her home and get a red top!

Make sure that you check the alternator and see if it is charging the battery!

If it is not, you will be in the same situation again SOON! With the car idling and accessorises off youb should see 13 -14 volts

BC

Jul 25, 2004 | 08:49 PM

Monk

Racer

Joined: Jun 2002

Posts: 439

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From: Framingham MA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Curlee

Make sure that you check the alternator and see if it is charging the battery!

If it is not, you will be in the same situation again SOON! With the car idling and accessories off you should see 13 -14 volts
BC

Is that 13-14 volts as indicated on the DIC? Or 13-14 volts using a multimeter at the battery. For some reason, my DIC reports a "battery voltage" that is usually between 12.6 and 13.1 volts at idle (depending on accessories being used)... whereas the voltage at idle measured at the battery terminals is a near constant 13.9 - 14.0 volts. Is this normal? Or do I still have a faulty connection somewhere?

Monk

Last edited by Monk; Jul 25, 2004 at 08:51 PM.

Jul 28, 2004 | 07:23 PM