Why wont my pontiac grand am 2002 4cl start!?

Question

Hey guys & girls i need some help my pontiac grand am wont start this is what its doing... when i try to start it as usual it just clicks a lot of people have said the battery but I'm pretty sure it isn't the battery headlights, interior lights and radio works so I'm pretty sure it isn't that however I'm not sure what else it could be maybe the starter ... or the alternator IDK somebody help me

Answer 1

Your battery may have just enough juice to run the lights, etc.  However it may be too low to start the engine.  Have your battery (and alternator) tested first.

Answer 2

It could very well be the battery.  Starting a car requires a lot of battery power.  Much more than it takes to operate lights, radio, interior lighting etc.  Check the terminals on the battery for corrosion and clean them if there is corrosion on them.  Also clean the connections on the wires.  If that does not do the trick, try getting it jump started.  If that works, it is most likely your battery needs to be replaced.  Once it is running, check your dashboard and see if the battery light is on.  If it is then you will probably need a new alternator.

Answer 3

i think u should get a new car

Answer 4

A battery that can turn on headlights and interior lights may not always start a car. People don't always understand that 12 volts does not always equal a lot of Amps. It takes around 12 volts to operate lighting systems on cars. It also takes 12 volts to operate the starter motor. But both require a different amount of amps for operation.

That being said, before you condemn the battery as the cause of your problem, remove the battery cables.  What do the connections look like? Are they nice and clean providing a solid connection to the battery? Or are they both coated in nasty white or green powder? If so lets clean them up a little. Put on some gloves, mix some baking soda and water into a nice paste, grab a wire brush and lets get to cleaning. Dip the brush into the paste and scrub a dub the cable ends. Do this repeatedly. Also scrub the area of the battery where they connect. Rinse off both very well with water. Spray the connections with WD40 and then reconnect.

Does it start good now? If not, then you probably need a new battery. At least you will have nice clean cable ends to connect to it.