As of yesterday, I have been having technical difficulties getting this car started. Winter seems to have arrived in Edmonton, down to -17 and it seems to have claimed this vehicle.
So, I'm wondering, what could be wrong.
When trying to start it, it sometimes(frequency decreases with more attempts) sounds a little bit like something mechanical starts to move but quickly dies and then I'm left with the starter clicking. The lights on the dash all start.
At first, I thought the battery was dead and I got it running with a boost. It started ridiculously easy, almost instantly. Normally, it doesn't start this well/easy unless it's +30. lol
So, I idled her for about 20 minutes, until I needed to change the key. Two seconds later after shutting her off, it wouldn't start again! [cick, click, click, click...]
The engine is now warm! This was last night. Today I tested the battery and the indicator showed the battery as having 12-13V which is Ok. Again, I tried starting the car... click click click.
What could be wrong??
The battery is okay but something is taking all the charge away and the car can't start on it's own. It happily starts with a boost though.
As of yesterday, I have been having technical difficulties getting this car started. Winter seems to have arrived in Edmonton, down to -17 and it seems to have claimed this vehicle.
So, I'm wondering, what could be wrong.
When trying to start it, it sometimes(frequency decreases with more attempts) sounds a little bit like something mechanical starts to move but quickly dies and then I'm left with the starter clicking. The lights on the dash all start.
At first, I thought the battery was dead and I got it running with a boost. It started ridiculously easy, almost instantly. Normally, it doesn't start this well/easy unless it's +30. lol
So, I idled her for about 20 minutes, until I needed to change the key. Two seconds later after shutting her off, it wouldn't start again! [cick, click, click, click...]
The engine is now warm! This was last night. Today I tested the battery and the indicator showed the battery as having 12-13V which is Ok. Again, I tried starting the car... click click click.
What could be wrong??
The battery is okay but something is taking all the charge away and the car can't start on it's own. It happily starts with a boost though.
Sounds Like a week Battery.
When it gets cold the battery will start to get week. Just measuring the voltage on the battery won't tell you if it is bad. You either need to take the battery to advance auto parts, and have them test it with a resistor bank, or have someone turn the key while you have the volt meter on the battery. The voltage should not drop below about 11 Volts, if it does, then there is your problem. Also check for loose grounds and battery terminals, as they are frequently the cause of the problem too.
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89 Sentra owner 9 years 205,000 miles and counting!
As it turns out, all of your suggestions we're problems(battery, and poor grounding) including my alternator being quite weak.
The clicking problem went away(and the real weakness of the battery showed) after playing with the wires connecting the battery to the car and with everything from the sparkplugs to the rubber thingy.
I'm guessing my grounding is quite weak and it would start when using the other battery's ground.
I haven't figured out where the problem is but at least if it starts to click, I play with the wires, and it starts so... lol
About the alternator, gonna try and hit the local pick-a-part's tomorrow. Under heavy winter load, this voltage tester showed it as low as 11.7V (but occasionally changing from 12.3-13.4) while the car is running.
So thanks again, and is there a particular wire[that you might know of] that is prone to failing to make a proper ground? I'm really not sure, I just moved all of them around and the engine tried to start.
1. check the battery conexions and fixit. Clear the battery conexions.
2. if you have a volage tester, connect to the battery and then start the motor about 2000rpm you must read 13,6-14,4V if you dont have this value it's possible too have an voltage regulator bad, or the alternator (the voltage regulator is on the alternator).
3. But I thing your problems is the battery.
So thanks again, and is there a particular wire[that you might know of] that is prone to failing to make a proper ground? I'm really not sure, I just moved all of them around and the engine tried to start.
It could be a loose battery terminal, or the wire that goes from the - side of the battery to the chasis that is causing the problem. Also on the starter there is a connecter that could be dirty or loose that would give you only a click sound untill wiggled.
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89 Sentra owner 9 years 205,000 miles and counting!
89 Sentra Won't Start, Battery is OK
Linear Mode
