I have an 88 CRX DX, and it's driving me crazy. This is what's going on - Sometimes when I go out to start my car it starts up fine and drives like there is no problem. But other times when I go out to start the car I'll try to turn it on, but it won't start. The headlights and the radio come on, but the car makes no sound. Now when it does this, I can get a jump and the car will turn on fine and run normally. If I go out to start my car 4 times a day, it will not turn on about 2 of them, the other 2 times with no problems. I just got a new battery about 7 months ago. Tell me what the problem is. Could it be the alternator?

 

Have your charging system tested. It is possible that the alternator is not providing enough power to keep the battery charged. It is also possible (though unlikely) the battery may be bad, even if you replaced it last year.

 

I went to Auto Zone to get my alternator tested, but they could never finish the test because the battery kept dying in the middle of it. So, I think it might be the alternator. But fill me in if I am wrong.

 

if the car wont start, but will with a jump its the battery, If you replaced the thing a year ago, then did you buy a cheap or used battery? otherwise you need to consider one of two possiblities:

A) your alternator isnt charging the battery as it should be, but in that case you would notice the battery light on when your driving and other symptoms.

B) you have a draw on the battery while the car is off. this can come from an improperly installed alarm or remote start, perhaps an amplifier of some kind. start looking for stuff that was added to the car first. this is the more likley possibility.

for starters replace that battery with a die hard or something strong, if it happens again and you never notice the battery light coming on, something has to be killing your battery.

also, check the terminals for corrosion, and i know it sounds stupid, but make sure they are 100% tight as well, that can cause gremlins like what your describing too. i guess it wouldnt hurt make sure the ground and 12 volt wire doesnt look frayed or damaged in any way at the battery and at the underhood fusebox.

good luck.
-mike

 

ps from fishing around other threads someone also mentioned the thick wire that comes off the alternator, check that too.

g/l
-mike

 

well if theres no sound at all, then the starter isnt cranking. and if the battert light ISNT on, then u have a bad contact plate in ur starter. same EXACT thing happened to me. i could start it a few times no problem, whenever it was cold, but say i turned the car off, went to get something, and came back out, it wouldnt do a damn thing, not even crank, that is because the contact plate ib BURNT on that part where the starter gets power, which will make it not operate. get a new starter if the battery and alternator dont work.