Car won't start. Is it the starter?

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Willoughbyva

Diamond Member
Sep 26, 2001
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I just got a used car last week. I went out Yesterday morning and it wouldn't start. I changed batteries and gave it a jump and it started. I just went out a little while ago and it wouldn't start either. wouldn't turn over at all. The battery I put in it is about 7 months old. I took it out of my old car that I haven't run in a few months. Do you think the starter could be dragging or something? It is a 1992 Buick Lesaber limited with a 3800 V6. Any other ideas?

Will
 
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Ladies Man

Platinum Member
Oct 9, 1999
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go to a auto parts place and have them check the battery

start there first

don't just start guessing and spending money on parts you don't need
 
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etech

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
10,597
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Something discharging the battery?

Turn the lights on and see how bright they get.

Check all of the connections. Take it to Autozone and ask them for a check of the charging system. They will do it for free and check the output of the alternator(another good possiblity)
 
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Willoughbyva

Diamond Member
Sep 26, 2001
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It wil click one time, but it won't turn over. There isn't a constant clicking noise. The altanator charged the battery up yesterday when I replaced the battery. The lights are resonably bright. I was wondering if there was some electrical component besides the battery, altanator and starterthat could be causing the problem.

Will
 
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Ausm

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
25,213
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81
On that vehicle the selenoid is integrated with the starter...You got a voltmeter you can check the battery.


Ausm
 
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SlowSS

Golden Member
Nov 28, 2002
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Originally posted by: Willoughbyva
It wil click one time, but it won't turn over. There isn't a constant clicking noise. The altanator charged the battery up yesterday when I replaced the battery. The lights are resonably bright. I was wondering if there was some electrical component besides the battery, altanator and starterthat could be causing the problem.

Will
Click to expand...

It could be few thing that could cause for car to not start...

Starter wear <---You will get clicking noise from starter but it just won't crank over the engine.
Alternator failure <--If alternator fails, you won't have any electrical power like interior and exterior lights.
Or combination of these factors
 
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Willoughbyva

Diamond Member
Sep 26, 2001
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No I don't have a volt meter, but tomorrow I will jump it and take it to autozone and let them check the battery for me. (Hopefully)
 
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Ausm

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
25,213
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Check the connection wires to the starter they may be loose...I really think it is the starter that is the trouble.


Ausm
 
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Willoughbyva

Diamond Member
Sep 26, 2001
3,267
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Thanks for your help Ausm. I already checked the price of a starter which is about $40.00 + $20.00 core. How hard is it to change the starter? Do I really need to worry about shims and stuff? How does shimming a starter work?

Thanks everyone.

Will
 
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etech

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
10,597
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I found a 7 function multimeter at Harbor Freight for $5.50. It won't replace my Fluke but for just checking a cars battery voltage it will work just fine. I checked their website didn't find the model I got but they have one listed.


43652-0VGA

Not sure if that one includes the leads or not.

 
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Ausm

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
25,213
14
81
I have Virtually the same motor in my 2002 Impala LS. The starter is easy to get to if you have Ramps or an hydraulic floor jack with Jack Stands. The starter is located toward the passenger\firewall side of the vehicle.


Ausm
 
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Willoughbyva

Diamond Member
Sep 26, 2001
3,267
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Thanks, I think my brother has a floor jack I can use. I have never changed a starter and am wondering about shimming. Autozones site said there were instructions on how to do it in the starter box so maybe it wil be self explanitory.

Thanks again everyone. If you guys have anymore ideas I'd like to hear them.

Will
 
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Ausm

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
25,213
14
81
Rule of thumb is to use the same shims that are in the old starter.....You might get lucky and have no shims to deal with.


Ausm
 
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SilverThief

Diamond Member
May 20, 2000
5,720
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I just had the same problem. Something was draining down my batteries (2 new ones) while the car sat for any length of time.
I narrrowed it down, through trial and error, to a short in one of the circuits.
It ended up being an internal short in an ignition relay.

The problem is...with this sort of problem it could be anything. What I would do if I was you is charge up the battery, then disconnect the negative battery cable. Take your voltmeter and place the positive lead on the negative battery cable (while disconnected), place the negative lead on the negative battery post. Take a reading. If your getting a reading of 13amps then you have a significant power drain.
Locate the fuse panel, and remove the fuses one by one. Take a reading at the battery after each fuse pulled, continue like this until you pull one that drops the reading back to normal (12v)

Its time consuming, but if in fact you do have a short somewhere its a good way to narrow it down to a single circuit.

 
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Willoughbyva

Diamond Member
Sep 26, 2001
3,267
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Thanks guys I feel a little more comfortable about the situation now. If I have to replace the starter I know more about how to do it. If it is a drain I have a better idea also.

Thanks

Will
 
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