my car doesnt start. it clicks a few times then dies but when i jump it after a few minutes of charging it starts. how can i tiell if i need to replace my battery or the starter is bad because i cant drive it around right now.

 

get the starter checked at auto zone

 

What you described is characteristic of a dead battery.

A bad starter wouldn't start the engine even if you jumped it.

 

dead battery. go to autozone. You might want to check and see if you alternator is charging your battery that might be a cause for it going dead.

like stated above a bad starter would not even work if jumped

 

definitely check that alternator. even though starter isn't your problem, you can check on your own, just pull it out then hook the cables back up and have someone hold onto it (with caution, don't be a dumbass and put your fingers in harms way of course) and crank the key and watch to see if it engages.

 

check your alternator with a multi meter while the car is idling get a good ground and hook your lead to the alternator it should read above 12 V maybe like 13.5 then when your rev it the voltage should increase.

 

take the battery to autozone for a test they will let u know if its good or bad....and to check ur alternator....turn on ur car...jump start it....disconnect both battery cables (u can d/c only 1...but i dont know which on, so just disconnect both) if the car keeps running (idling) the alternator is still good. if the car dies when u disconnect the battery cables, then u need a new alternator.