QuestionQUESTION: I bought the car 2 weeks ago ran fine but, all of a sudden cant start. Everything else works. I checked all the fuses and ground wires. I can hear a 'tick' sound when i turn the key but, no crank. battery is good. Could the starter go bad just like that? Being where the starter is located, i am wondering what else i can check before pulling the intake manifold. Please help me get her running again. Thank you.
ANSWER: Hi Phil,
I haven't looked at one of these lately, so it may sould like I am talking out of school, but I don't think you would have to pull the intake to change the starter. Maybe the exhaust, and maybe I am just thinking in my mind of the 3.8 in Buicks.
Yes, you could very well have a bad starter. Especially with you stating you have a "click."
What we used to do temporarily to see if we could get the starter to crank when they would do this, is hit the starter case with a hammer. Do not hit the nose cone.
Try it a couple times and see if it cranks. If it does, you know for sure it is starter time.
Try turning the headlights on and turn the key. If the lights dim only in start, you need a starter.
You can also check the amperage draw.
Who knows? Maybe that's why the car was for sale.
Rob
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: The lights don't dim. It is a northstar engine so i can't get a hammer to it. The click noise is coming from the battery. If you have any other suggestions please help. Thanks.
AnswerHi Phil,
With not being at the car, it is next to impossible for me to diagnose your problem. Unless there is something real common in which a direct answer can be given like many inherent problems with factory anti-theft systems, its very difficult.
Examples are: How much to fix my dent? I have a rattle, what is it?
Since you tell me the lights don't dim when putting ignition in Start, it appears as though the starter does not have excessive current draw.
Since you state the noise is by the battery, I would start considering something like a bad connection at the battery or possibly a bad fusible link.
Now, to eliminate the problem between the starter and the battery, you need to know if the solinoid is being energized with power leading from the battery. This requires either a meter or a test light put to the solinoid wire at the starter and someone turning the ignition lock to start. If there is no power on the start circuit, you have a problem between the battery and the starter.
You state the battery is good, but is it new? Has it been tested? Do you know for a fact that it doesn't have a bad cell?
I don't think it is a battery problem from your description, but I sure would remove the cables and clean them and tighten them. Then as I stated, you need to find out if the starter solinoid is getting power in the start position. If not, start checking a manual for fusible link locations under the hood.
Good Luck,
Rob
