car wont start

[mezzoni]

wont even crank. i eventually got it started to drive home but i was playing around with it for about 20 minutes. and when i got home i shut it off and tried to restart it and nothing. i checked the battery terminals and everything was connected, no corroding. so im thinkin maybe the starter? i got 133k miles on it, its a 98. also i dont believe plugs and wires were ever replaced, although im really not sure. idk if that would even have a effect, it'd still crank id think. and the battery was replaced in december and the alternator in january... so what seems to be the problem guys?

[chev1988rolet]

Does it make a click when you turn the key to crank it?

[JoshsGTP]

Mine does that? What could it be, I have to hit the key A few times before it starts.

[chev1988rolet]

It depends on where the click sound comes from. If it comes from the engine compartment then its the starter solenoid or a loose wire at starter or its poorly grounded, or if you say you spin the key but only hear a click near the key and it turns on when you hit it. It is most likely ignition switch. Its about $100 bucks and fairly easy to replace.

[JoshsGTP]

coming from the silinoide (sp)

[chev1988rolet]

If it comes from the engine compartment then it shouldnt make a difference how many times you hit the key. does it give you that problem almost every day?

[JoshsGTP]

sometimes it starts fine, Other times I feel like a tard because I have to keep hiting the key so it makes the click noise till it starts

[chev1988rolet]

this is what you can do. First make sure every connection is nice and tight on starter and on battery. another way of checking is waiting till nightime to crank it and have someone watching over engine compartment to see if any electrical sparks are coming from starter. If ok with connections, next I would recommend taking off the starter and testing it yourself. Its just two bolts that hold it to the block and i think 3 different wires to starter. first wire is by itself, its the S terminal for solenoid. its a small wire that goes to the small stud. the other two are one 4 gauge from battery and I think another that send power to the rest of the car. Here's how you can check it. 1 Remove starter and place it on a bench or the floor. 2 use jumper cables now to connect negative side of battery to the metal housing on starter. Then connect positive side to the thick stud on starter where the 4 gauge wire went. Last, use any metal object (screwdriver or extension) to touch the 4 gauge stud with the small stud on starter. make sure you are holding the starter with your other hand but dont place it anywhere near the opening where the gear pops out of a normal starter moves the gear towards opening and starts spinning fast. try doing that over and over again and see if one time it just moves it to the opening but doesnt spin. If that happens then you have a faulty solenoid. get it rebuilt and it will be as good as new for a good price compared to a new starter. hope this helps

[Bio248]

hit the starter with a wrench, then try it again.

[JoshsGTP]

What would that tell me Bio?

[chev1988rolet]

tapping it will either fix it temporarily for that start up or mess it up. Its just to find out if something is loose or worn out inside the starter

[txturbo]

wont even crank. i eventually got it started to drive home but i was playing around with it for about 20 minutes. and when i got home i shut it off and tried to restart it and nothing. i checked the battery terminals and everything was connected, no corroding. so im thinkin maybe the starter? i got 133k miles on it, its a 98. also i dont believe plugs and wires were ever replaced, although im really not sure. idk if that would even have a effect, it'd still crank id think. and the battery was replaced in december and the alternator in january... so what seems to be the problem guys?

Doesn't matter how old or new the battery is....take it out and have it checked. It sounds like some plates in the battery are shorting out intermittently.If that checks out then try the tapping on the starter trick.