hey my car just totally wont start right now. its been working fine. when i tried to start the car, it wouldnt crank at all. it was just silent. i heard the click ( i think from the main relay?) but it doesnt crank at all. the lights on my cluster are dimmer than usual. when i tried starting it, the lights on the cluster kept flickering and dimming out. i thought it was the battery. but my headlights still work. what could it be? please help me. thank you!

 

sounds like a weak battery or loose connection on the battery.

 

oh ok i hope so. im gonna go buy one right now

 

Check the battery charge. If it's low then you may have other problems as well.
Check battery cables and chassis ground for corrosion or loose fit.
Check alternator to ensure that it's charging correctly.

 

Im having the same problem. Car was running fine, then it just wont start. I replaced the alternator and starter but no luck. I tried my uncle's battery out of his integra and no luck

 

how do i check if the alternator is charging correctly?

 

Not sure. The first time my car died I replaced the alternator and everything worked great for at least a week. Now it sounded like the starter but i switched that out and nothing.

 

Actually, the way I knew it was the alternator...I had someone give me a jump and the car started and then died right after.

 

oh i think it is my battery. its hella dark rigth now so i turned my headlights on. they are looking very weak. flickering too. when i turn the headlights off and leave the corner lights on, the light gets stronger. i hope its the battery.

 

check your connection's at the starter and alternator, if things look good, take your battery to a parts store and have them test it. if all is good check your ignition switch.
do it seem like your getting a starter signal????

to test the alternator u need a dvom to see what the output of ur charging system with all loads on, lights, fan, radio ect......
look up what the specs are online and go from there.

but with your lights dimming out i think u have a bad battery, your head lights will work but how bright is it???

 

i just checked and my headlights are really weak. looks like theyre about to die out.

 

Auto Electronics 101

wow, okay simple alt check get a volt meter and you should have between 13.5V and
15v if not the alternator is bad. However this doesn't mean it is good either. Go to your local parts store they should have a load tester.

Patstar yours sounds like a dead battery but don't discount a dead alternator. After all if your alternator is dead the car will run off the battery until it is dead. CHarge the battery clean you connections and check for alternator voltage if it starts.

Don't discount the starter. It to can be effected, killed, or kill the other two. They all depend on each other in a way. If you let one go bad and run with it you may end up replacing it all. (especially the battery, dead batteries that won't take a charge will overwork and kill an alternator very quickly)

 

thanks for the info hondachris! i don't wanna end up changing everything out. haha. my dad has a battery charger, but i have no idea how it works. i know i clamp the clamps on the battery, but i didnt find any "on" switch. i was thinking i just leave it on there and turn the car on?