I have a situation that happened about 3 or 4 months ago. The only thing that i did different that morning was that i punched in the wrong security code and then without clearing it I punched in the right number and the door locks opened. But when i tried to start the car it wouldnt start. No starter sound or nothing. I have a voltmeter in my cig lighter and it said 11.9 or 12.1. All the warning lights would light but the clock went off while i had the key in start position and back on when i moved the key to off.

The radio worked, trunk, lights, etc. but it didnt start. i figured the battery was weak or i thought somehow the anti theft was engaged.but i remember once when i tried to start the car with the alarm going, everything went off when i tried to start the car, until i typed in the secuirty code and it started.

Any way i didnt get a boost and was going to take the battery to get it recharged 2-3 days later and i punched in the alarm code, turned the key and it just started with no problems.

So today i belive i typed in the right code but the car wouldnt start and the voltmeter read 12.1. So does this sound like the battery or securty malfunction.

 

sounds like my starter, which is going out?

 

well i have a sears diehard gold battery that i have had to have recharged at autozone at least 3 or 4 times within the last 2 years. The last time around November? they said it was a bad battery but i put it in the car and it started fine until January or so like i explained above when i mis-punched in the code.

If the starter is bad will the car start with a boost from another car?

 

Um not really. Tap it with a hammer. I think its the security system. You just need to disconnect it.

 

Tap what with a hammer? The battery?

Well i kindof think its something to do with the security system too because i had a dead or weak battery before and the car would make a strange clicking sound from under the hood by the winshield wiper area whenever i turned the ignition and the lights would all dim and all the power would seem like it was seeping out.

But it seems like i have full power and nothing dims and the voltmeteron the battery says 11.9 or 12.2.

So, anyway i took the battery to Autozone for a recharge. Im going to see if totally disconnecting the battery overnight has an effect.

i am typing in the right security code, and i was wondering if anybody knew that sequence of when you had trouble with your alarm system, where you unlocked the passenger door, then you unlocked the trunk, then you tried to start the car? Does anybody remember that sequence?

 

Same situation as you but my ground for my engine wasn't set up. So remember to check that and make sure it isn't loose.

 

You can always jump the security system on the car and see if that is what the problem is. To do it is pretty easy. You have to ground the green and black wire coming from the security system control box under your dash. If you take off your panels on the underside of your dash, driver's side, you will see a box with tons of wires coming out of it and I think it is labeled anti-theft if I remember correctly. I would take pics but I sold my car I did this on.

I bought some wire, a switch, and splicer...the aligator style. Find the green and black wire coming out of the anti-theft box. Splice it with the aligator clip and the wire you bought and route the wire to a nice solid ground. for me, I just drilled a sheet metal screw into the side metal behind the kick panel. I put the switch between the ground and the anti-theft and mounted it on the kick panel. Tucked everythign in nice and clean so now, if the alarm is acting up, I flip the switch and it de-activates the alarm. just dont tell anyone you did it or where the switch is and you will be fine Only downside of course is that someone can break in, de-activate the alarm if they know about that switch and have a nice quiet time stealing your ish!

 

no, the starter. Theory is, you knock it, it gets back onto place, and will turn over. (sign of a bad starter)
your battery is fine. those voltages are good for a non-running car.
the three most likely causes
1) starter
2) if it's an auto, your shifter bushings are nearly (or are) toast
3) ignition switch
4) power wire from battery to starter

2, 3, and 4 are easy;
2) move the shifter around from park, into gears, back to reverse then neutral. try to start with the car in neutral.
3) starter has a single wire for the solenoid. check the car side for voltage, while someone "cranks" the engine.
4) test the voltage coming from the battery ON the starter. should be same as the battery voltage. if not, check for corrosion/loose cable or replace.

 

UPDATING EVERYBODY

I just got the battery back from autozone. They said it was a bad battery.

Anyway, i made no other adjustments to anything as mentioned above. I manually unlocked all the doors, put the battery in and the car started with no problems. So hopefully the battery just needed a recharge?

i do remember when it wouldnt start like i described above. I was able to get a boost and drive. But when i tried to start the car again, it wouldnt start until i got the battery recharged. They said it was a bad battery when i picked it up but i put it in and the car started and i didnt have any problems until 3-4 months later.

i have a new battery on my shopping list anyway. Thanks for all your info...

 

Yeah it sounds like a bad battery, mine deactivates when you punch in the
code. These cars do have alot of electrical options for there generation.
I put a new battery in when I bought mine and start her up even just to
let her charge even if not driving for a couple of days.

 

You should try checking your alternator and/or replacing it.
I had that same problem. When I turned the key there would just be a click and nothing else

 

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