shanna

I have an 88 accord wit 103,000 miles on it. It was in great shape until recently I can't figure out what is wrong with it.

First problem: I shut it off one day and 10 minutes later it wouldn't start. I got a jump and it started but when I pushed in the cigarette lighter it started to act up. I drove it to amoco, they hooked a machine to the battery and said it was the alternator and would cost about $360. I then took it to a dealership and they said they tested the alternator it was fine that they did a low test on the battery and it was bad. I switched batteries but I temporarily put a used one in until I could get a new one (probably not a good idea). It started fine for 2 days. Then it wouldn't start again and when I took the negative charger off the whole thing that goes around the metal battery thing came off, so I went to tighten it and it wouldn't stay tightened. I got the car to start and was driving it home and it shut off. It kept coming loose. So I decided I was just going to take it in and get a new battery and get a new connector put on the end of the black one. A friend put a nail in between the battery and the connecter to keep it tight so I could make it to the shop but now it won't start again. It was like 20 below zero for the last 2 days and it sat outside so I thought the battery might have died so I charged it but it still wouldn't start. Now it won't turn over, it goes click click click. I don't know what is wrong with it. Could it be something from the cold or is there probably something wrong with the starter now. Please help. Shanna

DrunkNRacer

Or it could just be that the battery is totally dead.. are you getting any electrical flow at all? (Any interior lights come on? Any gauge lights go on? Etc.).

shanna

Thank you for responding. Yes the dash lights go on but now they all go on kind of crazy like. It als does the ding dingwhen you put the keys in. What's different about it now is that before it would turn over but now it just goes click click. I tested the battery and it was at like 11.9. I don't know if it is just complely frozen or if something else broke while it has been sitting there for a couple days.

DrunkNRacer

I am sticking with the idea that its just your battery. You have yet to change it.. change it .. and if the problems persists.. please elaborate. Good Luck.

jwogen1

definitely change your battery, and make sure your terminal clamps are nice and tight....if it still wont turn over, but still get interiors and a click it could very well be your starter

blondeaccord

I had this happen to me before. You are not getting enough current to the starter from the battery. Check the battery terminal cables. It could be that they are corroded or they could just be loose. Either way, your not getting enough current from the battery to the starter.

The_Todd

Also check the water levels in your battery (this helps with the charging process) clean your terminals and check wiring from grounds to battery to starter.

shanna

thanks everyone,I will change the battey today and see what happens.

jwogen1

any luck yet. just curious to see what the problem was.....

shanna

Well, on sunday I hooked up the battery charger and it started right up. (I forgot to try to start it b4 I hooked up the charger.) I let it run for a while then put it in the garage. I tried to start it again today and it wouldn't start. I didn't get a chance to change the battery yet because I was hoping it was just because it was so cold. If it started today I was going to drive it tomorrow and change batteries. It has been in a heated garage for almost 2 days now so it can't be from the cold.