it tries to turn over but then dies down to a click.
i checked starter and its fine.
changed plugs and wires too.
dist cap and rotor look fine too.
i think its the alternator.
the battery is just only 2 years old so...

what do you guys think?

 

How do you know the starter is fine?
Changing the plugs and wires is a good start.
How did you go about checking the cap and rotor?

 

starter is fine cause i took it out and took it to advance to test it.
they said it worked fine.

the cap and rotor looks fine cause i only had them for a little more than a year now.

also checked all the fuses and they are in working order...

any other suggestions?

 

Okay, you've eliminated some common ones so far.
What about the fuel pump? If you pump the gas pedal
while trying to start it, do you smell fuel at all?

 

I had a similar problem like that before. Turns out some teeth on my timing belt had broken off. Replaced it and A okay.

 

It still wouldn't hurt to cheack the batt they will still go bad. I have replaced them in 2004 cars stright from the port so age doesn't matter. Also it sounds like a week battery cause the way it turns over then dies. If it was fuel related it would still turn over just fine just never start same with the plugs, wires and cap

 

What do you mean tries to?..

Does the Starter move fast or slow?.. A slow moving Starter indicates that the Battery isn't strong enough. A fast moving Starter indicates that the Battery is strong enough..

Just listen to it.. Is it, Gr Gr Gr..?. Or is it, Grrr Grrrrr Grrrr..?..

The click is from the Starter Solenoid..

I would most definately have the Battery checked out. Dirty or loose connections can also cause such problems..

Good Luck..

 

alright, i'll take the battery to get it tested tomorrow.
i hope thats the problem.
dont really feel like replacing anything else.

a student with no money and worst, no car right now!

 

stop testing things at autozone. to really test the starter, try to push start your car.

to test your battery jump it.

no need to go to autozone where a bunch of people who get paid $6 an hour want your money.

 

it could be main relay as well.

 

trying see if you get spark first? haha... put a screw driver into a spark plug wire and place it neer ground... if theres no spark then replace your ignition coil... and pumping a gas pedle on a fuel injected car doesnt do anything..

 

Check and make sure that your battery is grounded good. This was my problem awhile back. I changed out everything. Only to find out that my battery ground was bad and its wasnt like it was loose. I had been running the same grounding point for 2 years and then it just decided to not work. Make sure its grounded good then start from there.

 

Ohh yea also your alternator has nothing to do with starting your car up. It is used only when the car is running to keep the battery charge. If your alternator was bad you would find out about 30 seconds down the road when your car dies and your battery is drained.

 

I just had the same problem, but it was the battery cable ground, it was corroded. Take some jumper cables and ground the battery to another battery, or the engine block. It worked for me.

 

well i've check just about everything.
bought new dist rotor, new ignition coil, and new battery.
car still not starting.
i know for sure not that i have spark and power.
and the starter is good cause i took it in to test (it was free to test).

what else could it be???

gonna check my timing belt when the weather clears up.!

 

Check your damn battery ground man. That probably your problem. Dont just buy a new battery check and make sure your battery ground is good or the start wont start.

 

well, checked all the grounds, for battery and engine, and the are all fine.
wires looked good and bolted down tight.

???


Modified by skx at 5:21 PM 3/11/2004

 

Did you try and move the grounds to make sure that everything was working. I had to move my battery ground to where the tranny ground was and now everything works great. But if i used the stock battery grounding location the car wouldnt start.

 

does it crank slow? if so, maybe the alt