Car won't start... Options?

Question

Okay... This morning my car would not turn over. All I could get was a slow clicking noise. Went on here and got a lot of advice... I jumped the car and it started fine. Ran it for 15 minutes and shut down, attempted to start independently, didn't work, same issue. When I am in the car without it being started the electronics were a bit jittery, and the windshield wipers would go slow and stop for about 1/2 sec. So I read to check the fluid in the battery. It was very low on one side and I filled up with destilled water. Jumped it again and let sit for 15 minutes, shut down and no luck, now its a very rapid click, and all the elctronics work fine with no jitter or problems, but still can't start. Help

Answer 1

have the electrical sytem checked.more than likely you will need a new battery.how old is the battery?4-5 years old,change it.

Answer 2

Hi,

From your description, there's a good chance your battery isn't being charged by the car. The main suspects are the voltage regulator and the alternator, and it's easy to test with a cheap digital volt meter (less than $10) or your local auto parts store will gladly check for you if you jump it and drive to their parking lot. Call first so you don't get stranded and don't shut down when you get there. Checking the voltage at the battery with the engine running should show a voltage well over 12V, over 14V for most cars when charging.

Morris

Answer 3

Ugh I would get the starting charging system checked. The professionals at your local autozone do this for free.

Answer 4

hi,, this is your final answer... get a new battery, install it , start vehicle, and check voltage at battery terminals while engine is idling. should get 13 volts minimum, if so, then all is well. but if lower than 13v, your charging system needs repair.  

Answer 5

jump your car pull off the positive cable if it dyes it's

your alternator if not your battery's bad

Answer 6

The battery (obviously) won't hold a charge anymore. What this means is the battery is completely dead. Time to get a new one.

Answer 7

i would try and get another battery once a cell dies completly theres not really much hope for it..... i bought a red top and man thats the best battery u can by i left it on for 36hrs and the radio on (didnt know it) but it cranked my big truck over the first time

Answer 8

as per tamarac above, your battery has gone, it doesnt hold charge, you need a new battery. BUT these cars have a known fault with a short circuit in the brake lighting system, see the link below for mroe details. What basically happens is your brake lights stay on as if you have the brake pedal pressed, this puts alot of pressure on the battery over a period of time and may have caused your problems so it's worth checking out.

Answer 9

The clicking is the starter solenoid not getting enough juice.

Possible problems in order of ease to fix.

Take off the cable connectors and clean the posts and connectors with a wire brush or similar i.e. rough sand paper or small knife blade.

If the belts are tight on the alternator then it's probably a bad battery.

Autozone or Pepboys will check your battery for free and if it shows bad sell you one at a reasonable price and even install it for you.

You did the right thing checking fluid level.

With poor connections on battery posts the battery will pass enough volts/amps to light the headlights or run radio but when the starter is engaged it calls for more amps than the bad connection will allow to pass.  Only enough to partially engage the solenoid thus the clicking.

Good luck

RoyG

KC

Answer 10

teh charging system is not replenishing the battery. have the battery charged and tested(autozone) and then have the charging system tested. most newer cars will not run at all if the battery is disconnected