Car won't start

Tim Possible · 09-04-2009, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillSPrestonEsq

well, this one is now 10...

Basic search on Kragen looks like a starter for a 2001 Focus is around $130.

***BillSPrestonEsq*** · 09-04-2009, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce Leroy

Basic search on Kragen looks like a starter for a 2001 Focus is around $130.

ouch, Oh well. I'll check it out come tuesday.

**redbaron** · 09-04-2009, 11:47 PM

the starter solenoid on most newer cars is on the starter, hence why they cost more (since old cars you would buy them separately). If it's a manual transmission car you could try to compression start it, since that'll at least get you running, plus you can see how your electrical seems to do under power.

Usually a click without even trying to turn over (without all the lights & whatnot basically dropping out at the same time) is going to be starter related and not current.

***BillSPrestonEsq*** · 09-04-2009, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redbaron

the starter solenoid on most newer cars is on the starter, hence why they cost more (since old cars you would buy them separately). If it's a manual transmission car you could try to compression start it, since that'll at least get you running, plus you can see how your electrical seems to do under power.

Usually a click without even trying to turn over (without all the lights & whatnot basically dropping out at the same time) is going to be starter related and not current.

thats what I thought. And its automatic. For me, cars cost money and haul me from point a to b. That and cargo. I like minimal hassle. Also, I have proven that I like to race and should not be trusted with a real car. Never caught, but I just don't have the self control for it...

What5647 · 09-05-2009, 07:48 AM

Sounds like a starter to me. If the battery were dying it would likely at least try to turn over. (But not always, see below.)

And FWIW, just because the radio, lights, locks, etc. work doesn't mean that the battery is fine. (Though in your case it probably is.) I've known batteries to be perfectly fine under light load, then crap out when a heavy load, like a starter motor, is applied.

I'd still try to jump it before running out to buy a starter. The old Ford pickup I used to rive made a really slow ticking sound when the battery wasn't low enough to even try and turn the engine over.

And did this all happen overnight, or has the starter been giving any indication of failing before now?

***BillSPrestonEsq*** · 09-05-2009, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by What5647

Sounds like a starter to me. If the battery were dying it would likely at least try to turn over. (But not always, see below.)

And FWIW, just because the radio, lights, locks, etc. work doesn't mean that the battery is fine. (Though in your case it probably is.) I've known batteries to be perfectly fine under light load, then crap out when a heavy load, like a starter motor, is applied.

I'd still try to jump it before running out to buy a starter. The old Ford pickup I used to rive made a really slow ticking sound when the battery wasn't low enough to even try and turn the engine over.

And did this all happen overnight, or has the starter been giving any indication of failing before now?

one time it did this and then it did start. When the battery went out previously it was obvious.

**scared2mosh** · 09-05-2009, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillSPrestonEsq

one time it did this and then it did start. When the battery went out previously it was obvious.

We just replaced the starter on our '01 Sillohuette and it was behaving the same way before it gave out.

datakman · 09-08-2009, 06:41 PM

The first time i started my car after i bought it it choked of and just made a clicking sound when I turned the key
it turned out to b a piece that broke in the ignition. it cost a pretty penny 2

tlj009 · 09-09-2009, 11:20 AM

Quote:

thats what I thought. And its automatic. For me, cars cost money and haul me from point a to b. That and cargo. I like minimal hassle. Also, I have proven that I like to race and should not be trusted with a real car. Never caught, but I just don't have the self control for it...

You may have already fixed it but I would suggest buying a Haynes manual before doing any repairs yourself especially when not experienced at it. Even though it really shouldn't be that hard to replace the starter, they are only about $20 and are very useful.

You can check to see if it really is the starter, if you can get to the starter. As a disclaimer, my experience has been with older cars and I have never hurt anything by doing this. I don't know about any newer cars. That said, if you can get to the starter, you can try to start the vehicle from under the hood. Just make sure that the key is on, the car is in park with the emergency brake pulled. Take a screwdriver with an insulated handle and hit both connections on the end of the starter. It will likely click just like when you turn the key. Do this multiple times and eventually, the engine usually turns over. It does this because the solenoid is bad and not the starter itself. But as Redbaron pointed out, you will likely have to replace the whole thing.

If you decide to do that, be very careful. I wouldn't want you to get caught in the belt or for the car to be in gear and run over you. And the replacement should be as simple as disconnecting the negative battery cable, disconnecting the electrical from the starter, removing three bolts, and replacing the starter. I hope that it is where you can get to it.

gtrdave · 09-09-2009, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillSPrestonEsq

I am no car guru. I can follow a service manual which I have for my car. However... I need to have an idea what is wrong.

The car started at full charge, electrical was good, and I went down this morning and it made a clicking sound. Electrical systems such as radio obviously was able to have juice.

Just clicks, no attempts for the engine to turn over. 2001 ford focus.

This is with no warning. Does that sound like a starter? I think I can rule out battery. (less than a year old, and the car had juice)

This past Saturday AM I went and got into my car and experienced something similar to what you're experiencing: solenoid clicking when the key is turned, but the radio, lights and all else was working. The car had run just fine the previous night before.
I checked the battery terminals and the positive was pretty bad, so I got some baking soda and water and cleaned it up.
I managed to get a VERY slow crank out of it and just before I gave up, the car started.
I let it run for a few, rev'ed it up and then shut it down in order to restart it.
Nada, but the clicking. Still, lights and CD player all worked fine...

I bought a new battery Saturday afternoon and the car has been fine since.

I'm just sayin'...I've seen batteries die in less than a year. Both OEM and aftermarket batteries can go bad prematurely. Yeah, you could have a bad starter, but I'd confirm that 100% before you change it as chances are the battery is a lot easier to replace.

tlj009 · 09-09-2009, 11:51 AM

I forgot to add that if you hit the starter with the screwdriver and the engine turns over every time that you do it, then the problem is not with the starter. And also be careful that you don't get shocked.

Quote:

This past Saturday AM I went and got into my car and experienced something similar to what you're experiencing: solenoid clicking when the key is turned, but the radio, lights and all else was working. The car had run just fine the previous night before.
I checked the battery terminals and the positive was pretty bad, so I got some baking soda and water and cleaned it up.
I managed to get a VERY slow crank out of it and just before I gave up, the car started.
I let it run for a few, rev'ed it up and then shut it down in order to restart it.
Nada, but the clicking. Still, lights and CD player all worked fine...

I bought a new battery Saturday afternoon and the car has been fine since.

I'm just sayin'...I've seen batteries die in less than a year. Both OEM and aftermarket batteries can go bad prematurely. Yeah, you could have a bad starter, but I'd confirm that 100% before you change it as chances are the battery is a lot easier to replace.

And it is easy to check by borrowing a battery and seeing if your car will crank with the borrowed battery. Or simply having it checked by somebody. Autozone does it for free. I believe many other places do too.

OiBoyz · 09-09-2009, 11:59 AM

OT, but how's the finger, Bill?

***BillSPrestonEsq*** · 09-09-2009, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtrdave

This past Saturday AM I went and got into my car and experienced something similar to what you're experiencing: solenoid clicking when the key is turned, but the radio, lights and all else was working. The car had run just fine the previous night before.
I checked the battery terminals and the positive was pretty bad, so I got some baking soda and water and cleaned it up.
I managed to get a VERY slow crank out of it and just before I gave up, the car started.
I let it run for a few, rev'ed it up and then shut it down in order to restart it.
Nada, but the clicking. Still, lights and CD player all worked fine...

I bought a new battery Saturday afternoon and the car has been fine since.

I'm just sayin'...I've seen batteries die in less than a year. Both OEM and aftermarket batteries can go bad prematurely. Yeah, you could have a bad starter, but I'd confirm that 100% before you change it as chances are the battery is a lot easier to replace.

I'll give it a check...

Finger still unusable, and I am now learning my wrist got a little injured as I am able to use the hand a little.

Im going to pretty much give that hand the month off from everything...