Thread: Can't figure out why my car won't start

So I was driving a few days ago, and I felt the engine slowly die, the power steering locked up, the battery light came on, and it slowed to a stop and died. I replaced the alternator, and after taking the old alternator and my battery to Autozone, they confirmed that my old alternator was indeed bad, and my battery is fine. However, when I try to start my car I just hear a clicking noise coming from what sounds like the starter. My interior lights are fine, I'm getting power to my car, but it doesn't even crank. I even tried jumping it and it doesn't make a difference. Just a single click.

I took the starter off (Although I accidently tried to take my AC compressor off because I didn't know what the starter looked like, I know I'm not the greatest with cars), and Autozone said the starter was fine. After putting everything back together, I'm stumped. Tomorrow I'm going to just call a mechanic and see if they can figure out what the problem is. Any suggestions on other things to try before I do that?

I've ruled out the alternator, battery, and starter, unless I just have a bad connection somewhere or messed up when re-installing the alternator (I'm pretty sure I put the wires back on properly though).

Any ideas?

Thanks guys,
Shane

Called a mechanic and he said it's definitely the starter, even though Autozone said the starter was fine. *Shrug*

Guess I'll change the starter out today and see if that fixes it.

Originally Posted by InfidelRebel

Called a mechanic and he said it's definitely the starter, even though Autozone said the starter was fine. *Shrug*

Guess I'll change the starter out today and see if that fixes it.

yeah ive learned to take what autozone says with a grain of salt. They told me one time my altternator was good but battery was dead. So replaced it, battery light was still on. I said f-it and replaced my alternator.. Light went off. I have heard other stories with people having the same issues with them.

Hope you get it fixed and get your car going. Sounds like the starter to me.

Well I changed the starter and still no difference. The starter was fine, when I started to remove it (But the electrical cords were still plugged in) I turned the key and the starter made a high pitched revving sound. But when the starer (Both the old and the new one) is actually installed, turning the key just makes one click.

The mechanic is coming back tomorrow to look at it again. Hmm...

I'll try taking the belt off right now to see if it runs. Also, after double checking the starter, I may have wired it wrong when I replaced it. Can anyone post a picture or diagram of how it's supposed to be wired?

I did a google search and only found one diagram which wasn't clear at all.

Thanks again,
Shane

I removed the serpentine belt and it still didn't start. Just made the single click. Still wanna look into the possibility that I wired it wrong, although the old starter seemed fine, so maybe it's one of the battery or starter cables. No idea how to diagnose that though. As I said, the old starter spun when I loosened it from the rest of the car, so power was definitely getting to the starter. But I took the belt off and it didn't make a difference in the clicking sound. Not sure what else to do. =/

No, I have no idea if my crank is seized. Or how to find out.

And yes I did mess with the wiring, I had to when I switch out the starter.

Have the battery terminals been checked for corrosion (if so, cleaned) and tightened up again?

Originally Posted by matt5112

Have the battery terminals been checked for corrosion (if so, cleaned) and tightened up again?

^ is a very good idea.

And like fivefinger said double check on the battery maybe take it somewhere else ( anywhere but autozone) and have them check, wouldnt hurt thats for sure.

Mechanic came back and tried to turn it by hand. He says my motor is seized. Looks like I'll have to buy a new car... =/