Engine (Ignition?) having problems starting up/turning over - please help!
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You had it done for $150. Wow, I can't even find a starter for less than $150 let alone a starter along with labor.
I took my car to Autozone today and had my battery, alternator, and starter tested. All were good. So that leaves the coil, a cable, or the solenoid. I guess other things could be included, but I'm not smart enough to know what those are
I took my car to Autozone today and had my battery, alternator, and starter tested. All were good. So that leaves the coil, a cable, or the solenoid. I guess other things could be included, but I'm not smart enough to know what those are
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Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Seattle, WA USA
OregonHusker- how much did it cost to get your car tested?
I read the manual and it said not to assume that it's the starter if the car does not turn over... I guess it could be the solenoid that is attached to the starter?
I read the manual and it said not to assume that it's the starter if the car does not turn over... I guess it could be the solenoid that is attached to the starter?
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Originally posted by MitzEclipse
OregonHusker- how much did it cost to get your car tested?
I read the manual and it said not to assume that it's the starter if the car does not turn over... I guess it could be the solenoid that is attached to the starter?
OregonHusker- how much did it cost to get your car tested?
I read the manual and it said not to assume that it's the starter if the car does not turn over... I guess it could be the solenoid that is attached to the starter?
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Carbondale Illinois
hello,
you are on the right track as far as getting your cars components properly tested. But i had a couple questions.
1 does your car click whenever you turn your key?
2 you said this was random, so is there a grey area where the car tries to start but doesnt, or does it work perfectly when it works and doesnt when it doesnt work?
KEy points to your situation
#1: (the answer to question number two above goes here) if you car simply works or doesnt work, it REDUCES the chance(there still is a chance) that the problem is in your charging system. If it was then your starting would be sluggish before or after the problem arises. or you wouldnt have enough voltage to turn the starter and the solenoid would just click(if this was the case then you would have to charge your battery or jumpstart it before it would run again, and that doesnt sound like your problem)
#2: the randomness.... . If it comes and goes it is probably a bad switch or connection, or possibly a bad-spot on the starter.
#3 if your charging system checks out and your car still clicks(if it ever did), it will probably be a bad connection between your solenoid and starter or a bad spot on the starter itself. But could still be in the ignition(not very probable.)
you are on the right track as far as getting your cars components properly tested. But i had a couple questions.
1 does your car click whenever you turn your key?
2 you said this was random, so is there a grey area where the car tries to start but doesnt, or does it work perfectly when it works and doesnt when it doesnt work?
KEy points to your situation
#1: (the answer to question number two above goes here) if you car simply works or doesnt work, it REDUCES the chance(there still is a chance) that the problem is in your charging system. If it was then your starting would be sluggish before or after the problem arises. or you wouldnt have enough voltage to turn the starter and the solenoid would just click(if this was the case then you would have to charge your battery or jumpstart it before it would run again, and that doesnt sound like your problem)
#2: the randomness.... . If it comes and goes it is probably a bad switch or connection, or possibly a bad-spot on the starter.
#3 if your charging system checks out and your car still clicks(if it ever did), it will probably be a bad connection between your solenoid and starter or a bad spot on the starter itself. But could still be in the ignition(not very probable.)
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From: Seattle, WA USA
Thank you all for the tips. Okay, I checked the manual and removing the starter shouldn't be difficult, but it is time consuming. My thinking is to buy a starter, spend the time to remove the old one, test the old one and if it's not the starter, return the newly bought starter and pay a small restocking fee. That way I don't have to tinker with removing the starter twice.
rogue13_13,
Thanks for the informative reply. By 'clicking' what do you mean? Basically, if I turn the key it sounds normal for the first 1/2 second and then there is no sound. I can, however, keep the key turned in the ignition and JUST HOLD IT THERE, until the engine starts up (found this out today). If I hold the key in the start position, about 3-5 seconds later the engine will start up normally.
It used to be a lot more random, but now it will NOT start normally on the first try. I just hold the key in the start position until it starts now.
Thank you all for the input, I will await the responses. I believe it's narrowed down to either the solenoid and/or the starter, correct?
rogue13_13,
Thanks for the informative reply. By 'clicking' what do you mean? Basically, if I turn the key it sounds normal for the first 1/2 second and then there is no sound. I can, however, keep the key turned in the ignition and JUST HOLD IT THERE, until the engine starts up (found this out today). If I hold the key in the start position, about 3-5 seconds later the engine will start up normally.
It used to be a lot more random, but now it will NOT start normally on the first try. I just hold the key in the start position until it starts now.
Thank you all for the input, I will await the responses. I believe it's narrowed down to either the solenoid and/or the starter, correct?
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Carbondale Illinois
wow......that is a strange problem.
by "clicks" i meant that when you turn your key does something under the hood click, that is what low voltage or bad connection or bad solenoid would do, but you already answered that question.
since it eventually turns over normally i would agree with the rest and say you need to test that starter, but just for shits and giggles you might clean all the connections and look for any loose or damaged wires down there while you have it jacked up and before you remove the starter to see if it helps at all.....
just in case, because you never want to do more work than needed
by "clicks" i meant that when you turn your key does something under the hood click, that is what low voltage or bad connection or bad solenoid would do, but you already answered that question.
since it eventually turns over normally i would agree with the rest and say you need to test that starter, but just for shits and giggles you might clean all the connections and look for any loose or damaged wires down there while you have it jacked up and before you remove the starter to see if it helps at all.....
just in case, because you never want to do more work than needed
Thread Starter
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From: Seattle, WA USA
Just an update, I bought a starter and solenoid from a junkyard in CA. It's off a 1998 that will fit my car. It should be here tomorrow and My friend and I are going to install it tomorrow night!
I''ll keep everyone updated. Thanks.
I''ll keep everyone updated. Thanks.