[RESOLVED] annoyed..

[Jonny J]

Ok so I drove my car after having it on jacks for a month 40 miles to get an alignment. I parked it outside the shop for maybe ten minutes, tried to start it but it wouldn't turn over. The guy at the shop told me it was the starter.. So I had that replaced. Drove it home. Parked it, tried starting it again tonight but the same thing happened.. I know its not the starter since I had it replaced. Tested my battery and its fine. All my lights come on except for when I try starting my car it just makes this weird buzzing/whining sound. But the engine won't crank over. It will push start fine.. So I was wondering if anyone might have a solution to this problem.. Thanks guys

[my dreamt dsm]

Have you checked your altenator? When you push start the car will it go? Auto or manual?

Outta the blues but I had the ecu fuse blow once causing me the same thing. Was it the ecu fuse, shoo can't remember! But check some fuses.

[DSMnOOb00]

Did you try some jumper cables to another car? My bet is either battery or alternator... I've seen batteries test fine but still not start the car at leased not right away.

How old is your battery?

[StarFawkes]

Sounds like battery to me too. Or there could be a short somewhere around your starter. Or your starter could be hooked up wrong.

[NHerron]

So when trying to crank, the lights dim really bad and you hear a loud rapid clicking sound right? Since you got the battery replaced, look around in the alternator area for melted wires and check the main fuses. Look for corrosion loose wire etc

[DSMnOOb00]

Originally Posted by NHerron

Since you got the battery replaced, look around in the alternator area for melted wires and check the main fuses

He never said he replaced the battery, but checking the wires would be a good idea anyways

[NHerron]

Whoops you're right got mixed up with replace and tested

[Mitsubishiown]

Where are the fuses located? The fuse box on the passengers side underneath the hood?

[doggietom]

It'd check the battery connection

[Jonny J]

Yeah ill look around after work to see if any of the wires are bad. Abs its not really a clicking sound, more like a humming sound.. Like the alternator motor is spinning but its not engaging.

Oh and the battery is fairly new, and its a manual

[DSM's 4 life]

I would make sure you have a good ground sometimes the starter wont turn without a solid ground.

[Jonny J]

Ground connection where? My battery is grounded good, and I'm assuming the mechanic grounded the alternator right

[hiwinder]

I have had this same problem with multiple cars. Lights and everything else electrical works fine.
when you turn the key, you hear a distinct humming/whining/buzzing Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek sound.

It turns out to be a battery connection that does not have enough contact to carry the required amperage.

All the electrical stuff combined except the starter probably pulls less than 50 amps.
The starter can easily pull 400 or more amps.

Sometimes the bad battery terminal will smoke a little and or be hot while you attempt to start.

[boost97gst]

Double check the big ground strap off the starter and the positive line to it.

[slayer450]

The alternator motor is spinning???? Maybe you should just take it to a mechanic.

[niddydsm]

This is one of those issues that you cant help on a forum, really needs to be in person.

[Jonny J]

Ok but as I said both times it will start up once. Then after that nothing. Ill check my battery terminals when I get home.

I called my mechanic about this and he said I'm on my own.. Fml.

[DSMnOOb00]

Try a jump first! If that works then it's the terminals or battery

[JusMX141]

Descriptive thread title fail.

Originally Posted by The Rules

• Use a descriptive thread title.

[Anubis_4_99]

Check your starter signal wire and connector.

[dsmspickdad]

Sounds like a starter relay that has gone bad.

[PrimerPLus]

Check battery, battery terminals they should be tight not just sitting on there. Also make sure no corrosion, and the cables are secured to the terminals nice and tight. Next check your alternator as get it tested, make sure no loose wires around your alternator, look for melted wires. You should also get your battery tested even if it's a new one.

[Jonny J]

Ok guys update... After i got off work i tried starting it again and WOW. Things got ugly. Not only did it not start. it made a GRINDING sound that sounded like it was coming from behind my dash... Im ungodly scared and dont wanna ruin anything in my engine.

[NHerron]

You sure you got the starter installed correctly? How tight are those bolts

[bryanwheat]

Originally Posted by Jonny J

Ok guys update... After i got off work i tried starting it again and WOW. Things got ugly. Not only did it not start. it made a GRINDING sound that sounded like it was coming from behind my dash... Im ungodly scared and dont wanna ruin anything in my engine.

Probably the relay clicking. Sounds like a ground problem, or a battery connection problem.

[Jonny J]

Could be... im going to go check those again. I have a volt meter in my car, and its showing 12.3v before I try cranking the engine so im assuming that it has enough power to start.

[NHerron]

First, is it actually grinding or just a rapid clicking sound

[Jonny J]

Right now its not grinding anymore... just making a "humming" sound when I try starting it. I checked my battery terminals and they were good

[NHerron]

What happens to the voltage when you try to crank the engine IE when this humming sound occurs basically

[3kgt2nv]

If its a humming / whirring noise it maybe that the starter isnt getting enough juice to the solenoid to push the pinion gear over to engage the flywheel.

I would run a length of wire direct to the starter and a ground directly off one of the bolts to make sure it isnt a dead wire. Also was this a new starter a rebuilt one or a used starter?