...not the alternator.? All of the electronics are working, the car just wont start. When I put the keys in the ignition and turn it the cars makes a click, click sound. A friend that's good with cars told me that its the starter. Could it really be or does what I just stated sound like another problem?
I have a 95 Pontiac Sunfire SE and it wont start. I was told by a friend that its...
- Thread starter mami18
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Basically it works like this. Your battery holds electricity, when you turn the key (which is a switch) it routes the electricity from the battery to the starter solenoid and then to the starter which starts the engine by using gears to make the engine components move until their is combustion which uses the power generated from the fuel to continue to make the engine run. At that point, the battery isn't used at all, the alternator takes over to supply the electricity needed to power all the electrical components AND recharge the battery for the next time you need to start the engine.
So, there could be a couple things wrong. I'll go in order of least expensive to check and/or replace (typically, but it varies from car to car).
1) Dead/Low powered battery. Solution, have autozone test it to see if it's good. Or have someone give you a jump if it starts then you know the battery was dead/low. Dead means that it won't hold a charge anymore, low means that either it was drained by something being left on or the alternator isn't charging it properly.
2) Bad solenoid.
3) Bad alternator. Can also be checked at Autozone, but it might need to be removed to test. This will also help to be determined if the batter is good but doesn't have any power.
4) Starter. This too can be tested at autozone after it is removed. They do wear out so not uncommon for them to go bad.
Hope this give you a better understanding of the potential problems.
So, there could be a couple things wrong. I'll go in order of least expensive to check and/or replace (typically, but it varies from car to car).
1) Dead/Low powered battery. Solution, have autozone test it to see if it's good. Or have someone give you a jump if it starts then you know the battery was dead/low. Dead means that it won't hold a charge anymore, low means that either it was drained by something being left on or the alternator isn't charging it properly.
2) Bad solenoid.
3) Bad alternator. Can also be checked at Autozone, but it might need to be removed to test. This will also help to be determined if the batter is good but doesn't have any power.
4) Starter. This too can be tested at autozone after it is removed. They do wear out so not uncommon for them to go bad.
Hope this give you a better understanding of the potential problems.
Elizabeth M
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Sounds like the starter to me. See if it has a starter relay if so it may be that.
If it makes a clicking sound it may be the solenoid, if not then check all the wires and make you you battery is hooked up, if it is, it may be the starter!!!
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great white whaler
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i have a 96 it was making a clicking sound when turning the key it was a sticky # one fuel injector the # one cylinder was filling with fuel it was locking up replaced injector works okey now
Kimiko1269
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same thing happened to me and it was my battery. its really easy to get your battery checked all you have to do is take it out of your car and take it to a parts house and they will normally test it for free. if its not that i agree on the bad solenoid or starter. i'm pretty sure you can get your solenoid tested also at a parts house so if its not that either its the starter. I hope you get it working again soon
Kimiko1269
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also something else that might help. to check the starter just turn your car to the on position but don't start it. listen for a light humming sound. that is your starter. if you don't hear it then your starter is out. make sure its quiet and your radio is turned off though so you can listen for it
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builttoclimb
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Take a hammer and hit the starter while someone turns the key. If it fires then your starter is all but toast. Do this after checking the battery cause if battery is dead then the starter wont work no matter how much you beat it.
I very common problem that causes "clicking". a poorly connected battery terminal. (a poorly connected battery terminal causes a 'high resistance' circuit that drains power between the battery and the starter) a simple check is to move the connectors at the battery to see if they 'give' meaning they are loose. If they are tight then other problems ensue. Also do the same check on the main connectors on the starter/solenoid. If all are tight, then the battery doesn't have enough juice to start, at which point do a test on the battery (which can be done at autozone or like parts stores)