420A 97 Talon ESi Daily Driver Won't Start!

[Walker420aTalon]

So my car Started up perfectly normal this morning on my way to work. When I want outside on my break I tried to start her up and nothing. I get one click and nothing else. Lights and radio come on. Nothing was left on to drain the battery. I'm not sure what's going on. Same thing happened on Friday, jump started just fine and she ran all day yesterday. Please help!

 

[Vegas Smith]

Battery may be dying.

 

[Walker420aTalon]

Battery may be dying.

This was my first thought but the battery is only a year old.

 

[Vegas Smith]

Check battery voltage at cranking and voltage at the starter while cranking. Check for any loose connections at starter and battery.

 

[19gsx91]

^^ To add to what Vegas said check for corrosion as well.

 

[Walker420aTalon]

Just tried to jump it in my lunch break and its not starting still one click. I don't have a way to check the voltage with it sitting in the parking lot where I work. Don't have the money to tow it anywhere either right now :/

 

[Vegas Smith]

Remove the battery, take it to an autoparts store and have them test it.

 

[93AWDDSM]

What's the age of your starter?

 

[Walker420aTalon]

What's the age of your starter?

I have no idea. I bought the car in 2013 and it sat till spring last year. Its never given me trouble till now.

 

[93AWDDSM]

Might be worth checking out. I had an issue with my previou 1g. Got off work pulled up to my apartments, next morning wouldn't start. Tapped the starter and bingo. Got it running and went bought a new starter. Started every time after the replacement.

 

[Walker420aTalon]

Might be worth checking out. I had an issue with my previou 1g. Got off work pulled up to my apartments, next morning wouldn't start. Tapped the starter and bingo. Got it running and went bought a new starter. Started every time after the replacement.

You got it started by tapping it? May I ask how? I don't know much about cars, that's why I joined this forum.

 

[Vegas Smith]

Probably with a hammer of something.

 

[93AWDDSM]

I used a large extension, and tapped it. Obviously, the 1g 4g63T is slightly different than yours but it's the same concept. Find your starter, tap it a few good times and try to turn it over.

 

[Walker420aTalon]

Im not sure where the starter is on this car. I was told to follow the wire coming off the battery but the only one I can readily see is connected to something near the exhaust manifold. I've heard the starter is supposed to be behind the motor though.

 

[Vegas Smith]

Better start doing an internet search.

 

[spyderdrifter]

Im not sure where the starter is on this car. I was told to follow the wire coming off the battery but the only one I can readily see is connected to something near the exhaust manifold. I've heard the starter is supposed to be behind the motor though.

The starter is on the front side, between the engine and radiator. Easier to tap on than the 4g63 starter location. By tapping on it, your basically tapping the starter solenoid. If it starts after tapping, the solenoid could be going bad. Also, just because the battery is only a year old, doesn't mean it can't be bad. I had a battery go bad after only a few months of owning it.

Your starter is where I circled mine.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

 

[Walker420aTalon]

Couldn't get it to start by tapping on the starter, and a new battery didn't help either. Still clicks once. I'm guessing it's the starter? I would assume it wouldn't be the alternator if I couldn't get it to jumpstart.

Edit: I also cleaned up my battery cables too.

 

[Vegas Smith]

Yeah, could be a bad starter.

 

[Walker420aTalon]

It's raining today and I'm off tomorrow. So I'll put in a new starter tomorrow morning. Hopefully that fixes it.

 

[Walker420aTalon]

Put a new starter in and she still won't start. Same issue. One click but no cranking.

 

[spyderdrifter]

Another possibility could be the cam and/or crank sensors. I know yours is a 420, but as an example, my last DSM (turbo spyder) had starting issues after I converted to a 6 bolt. The problem ended up being a bad CAS (cam sensor). I found this out after replacing coils, and a bunch of other parts. Once I replaced the CAS, never had another starting issue.

 

[Walker420aTalon]

When I use the 12V light on my battery cable going to the starter the light shuts off when I have my wife attempt to start the car, not sure how I didn't notice it before but where that wire is bolted to the battery post clamp, is all corroded and actually has a split in it. Do I need to replace the entire cable or just that end?

 

[spyderdrifter]

You could get away with cutting the end of the cable to get rid of the corroded portion, but if it were me, I'd replace it so you're positive the entire cable is corrosion free. Plus if you cut it, it'll obviously be shorter and may not reach as far as it should and then that could end up stretching the wores if you try to keep it.