Car won't start?

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Voltorr

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Oh fearless and honorable car guru's I am in need of your help.

Since Tuesday morning my car is battling to start. I have never had this problem but it took my two turns to start the car and thought it was just "cold" (same that afternoon as well btw). Then similar on Wednesday and now this afternoon it took like 30 -50 turns.

It's sort of weird it sounds like the battery is flat you turn the key and you just get a constant clicking sound, then stop and turn with same result... do this 15 times and stare in despair until you here the engine start to try and "turn over". i kept doing it and it eventually started so it surely isn't the battery?

What i'm i possible having an issue with?

Thanks guys... or gals (:
 
It could be a lousy contact, particularly if it is clicking. Try pulling off the leads and cleaning them with sandpaper...might help.
 
Fazda said:
It could be a lousy contact, particularly if it is clicking. Try pulling off the leads and cleaning them with sandpaper...might help.
Click to expand...

Okay about to go try that

Internet seems to say a lot about the starter or solenoid, can i diagnose which it is or if it is by myself?
 
I think it could be either the solenoid or the bendix on your starter. Try tapping the solenoid with a screwdriver or spanner and see if it works after that. If it does, then thats it. Tap. don't bilksem. You will need to get it replaced.
If the bendix is getting stuck youre going to have to have your starter reconned. Just don;t get conned when you get it reconned :D. Go to a reputable Auto Electrician.
 
Get your battery tested (it could save you a lot of cash!). I had a buddy that had the same symptoms recently...we also thought it might be the starter but it turned out to be the battery. Always try start with the cheapest (and most likely) suspect! Try take it to a battery centre (or get a dude from the AA if you're a member to come out and test it for you - tell them you can't start your car and they'll test the batttery for you).

How old is your current battery?
 
Vixremento said:
Get your battery tested (it could save you a lot of cash!). I had a buddy that had the same symptoms recently...we also thought it might be the starter but it turned out to be the battery. Always try start with the cheapest (and most likely) suspect! Try take it to a battery centre (or get a dude from the AA if you're a member to come out and test it for you - tell them you can't start your car and they'll test the batttery for you).

How old is your current battery?
Click to expand...

+1 Faulty batteries always start acting up when the weather gets cold.
 
hey guys, thanks for the replies. The voltage on the battery was 12.06 volts

It seems to be fixed, i tried two things:

First i opened up the bonnet and took a look under the red rubber guard on the battery and all i can say is WOW, it was covered in some whitish powder, i wiped most of it off but couldn't actually disconnect as it requires a size 11 spanner and i have an 8 and 12 only ): Also disconnect negative (not as tightly connected and used pliers) and wiped it down.

Then i another thing i have been doing which i didn't mention is the batteries in my remote died so i had been using the immobilizer thingy attached to my keys... sure the alarm went off 3 or four times before i got the thing in the hole but it had been working for the past week with no problems. So i replaced the batteries and used the remote to turn off the alarm before trying to start.

And it worked first start. So either it takes a while after switching off the alarm with the immobilizer before i can try to start the car (never used to), maybe something is battling to charge up (: any case will test tomorrow morning and see if it works first time again
 
You really should clean your battery terminals properly. Use some vinegar on the white residue followed by clean water. Next use a bit of sandpaper on the terminal and connectors to clean them up, refit and tighten.
 
Fine i'll go get a spanner on the weekend *walks away grumbling*

Thanks for the advice (:
 
So the car just wouldn't start this morning, engine tried to start and then just started clicking instead of clicking in the beginning and the trying to turn. Clock is also serious off the mark as well. Think i'll just try to take it into the dealership or something.
 
Here is the 401.
1) your clock is out because you disconnected the battery...it runs straight off that without any back up battery......so you are sorted there. re-adjust and don't worry.
2) Clean your connections on the battery...like Fazda said...then do the other end of the thick cable as well.....so now you know all the power from the battery is reaching your starter. A baking soda solution on the battery connections will clean it up nicely and Midas sells spray you put on to stop it happening again.
3) After you've done the above.....If you turn the key and it just "clicks" ...i.e. the engine doesn't turn....and it does that repeatedly it is the solenoid on the starter. Nothing you can do to fix it if you only have an #8 and 12 (and hopefully now a #13 spanner...get a #10 too while you are at it) take it to your local mechanic to remove the starter and replace the solenoid (if he is the Macgyver type) or replace your starter with a rebuilt one.
No big deal....
 
Clicking could be dead battery also. Even if the alarm clock in the car still works. Usually one of the cells in the battery will die or the battery is run down. Starting the car uses more current than any other component in the car so if the battery has damaged cells or lacks charge there is no way the starter motor will turn.

Easiest way to test is to stop at a battery place and let them test it. They'll hook up a battery tester that can easily go up to 200-300amps. Usually the battery gives out long before that if it's not in a good condition. I went to Willards store last time, they tested it for free (nothing was wrong with the battery, didn't have to pay anything).
 
Gnome said:
Clicking could be dead battery also. Even if the alarm clock in the car still works. Usually one of the cells in the battery will die or the battery is run down. Starting the car uses more current than any other component in the car so if the battery has damaged cells or lacks charge there is no way the starter motor will turn.

Easiest way to test is to stop at a battery place and let them test it. They'll hook up a battery tester that can easily go up to 200-300amps. Usually the battery gives out long before that if it's not in a good condition. I went to Willards store last time, they tested it for free (nothing was wrong with the battery, didn't have to pay anything).
Click to expand...

Ja, experienced that about a month ago with a mates bakkie. We all thought it was not the battery but it ended up being the battery when the sparky tested it. New one solved the problem.
 
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