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[|DRC| SLIM]

Ok auto guys. I need your help diagnosing a problem.

My gf has a 2000 Ford Escort and after jumping a old cadillac it won't start. I tried charging the battery, but it won't start. The only way to get it going is to jump it. We tried a new battery, no dice. Everything has power (lights, radio, etc) it just won't turn over. Any ideas on what might be wrong.

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[HAL9000]

When ithe key is turned to start it, does it crank and crank and crank, or just dead silence?

It has enough juice to run the radio and lights, but not turn it over. I assume that even after you jump it and let it run, it still does this? If your trying with a brand new battery I wonder if it needs a bit of a charge from the alternator to get it up to snuff, but the alternator is shot.

Before going to a mechanic, make sure all connections are very clean. Take a wire brush to the C clamps that go on the battery so you know its getting a clean connection. Examine as much wire as you can, looking for damages or corrosion. Bad connections could bring down the voltage enough to power accessories but not start the car. Volt meters are handy in those situations if you have access to one.
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[|DRC| Iceman]

I had the same problem with my old piece of shit car that I gave away. It turned out to be something so simple but very easily overlooked.

If you turn the key and it clicks, but it won't start and your getting power to your lights etc; try giving the gear shift a firm tap to make sure its all the way in park. Thats what was wrong with mine.

If its even a hair out, it won't start, so give it a love tap toward park and turn the key again.

FYI: My old 1996 Dodge Shadow was a Automatic console shift.

[|DRC| SLIM]

Hal, when the key is turned it jsut makes a clicking sound.

Yah, after i jump it and drive it around long enough for it to charge it still does the same shit.

One of the connectors is a bit crusty. The next thing I will try is cleaning it. I have heard to use baking soda. Good or bad idea?

Ice, naw it's not that, I tried.

[|DRC| Iceman]

If the battery is not holding a charge after driving it around chances are that your brushes are worn in your alternator. There is no way to tell unless you take the altenator apart which I believe requires special tools that not everyone has. I had the brushes in my first piece of shit car replaced and costed me around $80.00 CAD which was mostly labour.

My advise is to take the alternator to a specialist to have it tested.

[HAL9000]

Or, a volt meter would tell you if the alternator is working properly I think its most likely the alternator. But clean it up anyway.

[|DRC| Marblecake]

OK take a volt meter and put one on negative of battery and one on the negative of the alt"has the nut with a wire with eye loop on it. If it is below 12 then your alt is fucked, also test the battery. Autozones test them for free. 13.8 is perfect for charging. Also see if the voltage regulator is inside the alt. Plus look for fusable links"have long glass fuse or a bigger plastic fuse"

[|DRC| SLIM]

Thanks for the replies guys. It's fixed!

It started after cleaning the shit out of the clamps. phew.. I'm glad it didn't cost $

[Mykro]

Just for future reference. As a general rule, if you turn the key, and it clicks, means theres a problem with your Starter. Doesn't always have to be replaced, sometimes you can get away with just tapping the starter itself lightly with a hammer, as funny as that sounds, but it works.

[|DRC| Wartex]

MyKr0 wrote:

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Just for future reference. As a general rule, if you turn the key, and it clicks, means theres a problem with your Starter. Doesn't always have to be replaced, sometimes you can get away with just tapping the starter itself lightly with a hammer, as funny as that sounds, but it works.

If that doesn't work, keep mauling harder and harder until it starts.
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[|DRC| SLIM]

I had been told the same by others except to use various other things like a broom stick to tap it, but it didnt' come to down that.

[|DRC| Marblecake]

Rermember if your starter is doing that its either low low battery or the starter is shot. You can hit it if you are in a pinch. Lets not be GHETTO folks.

[Mykro]

Ghetto? Nah. Desperation to get to work on time? Indeed.