Car died today. Since I bought it it's started with a simple turn of the key. Maybe 1 second of cranking.

Suddenly, it cranked like the battery was going dead for a second and then stopped cranking altogether.

I checked the CLutch Pedal Switch to make sure it's getting current, and it is. When turning the key I can hear a click underneath the dash (Ignition Switch, I imagine), but nothing under the hood.

Tested the battery - it's fully charged.

Is this a symptom of a bad starter? I always thought when starters went they went slowly....

Any other ideas of what to look into?

 

Bang on the starter and maybe it will start up again... I had my car not start 2 times before... one was starter related and the only way I coulda got home was banging on it with a wrench.. 2nd was releated to the ignition getting replaced, but that probably wont help you.

And no they dont just die slowly, this one died on me for no reason while I was at win-dixie... Gave no signs.

 

possibly malfunction engine coolant temperature sensor. i had hard time starting the car. even after i started my car and cruising on the highway, RPM jumped up and down and felt like it was gonna shut down my car. i suggest check that.

also how is the alternator?

 

Car drives awesome (Hit 12PSI on the way home) once it's started.

Charging system was checked with a multimeter - it was dark so I couldn't see down there to test the starter at the time.

It's definately not the Alternator/Battery.

Coolant Temp Sensor throws a code usually...you didn't have a code?

 

i had a code, reset ECU and ran for another 1,000 mi, it was fine except gas mileage went down. then it came back again, i figure no big deal again and reset. couple days later my car was having hard time starting and bad revving and bad gas mileage. of course the CEL came back sometimes later and i figure i should fix it. so yea.

 

Today I tested the wire between the solenoid and the starter with a voltmeter....when tunring the ignition, it reads 10 volts.

That tells me current is getting to the starter, and it's just not doing anything.

So yep - it's the starter....ordered a new one today. Thank god I'm a 5spd and can just make sure I park on hills.

 

Shoulda banged on it

 

I did for a good 20 minutes....REALLY hard at one point...no dice...She's dead.

 

may it RIP then.