I purchased a new starter and have an appointment to see my mechanic tomorrow morning, but I went to my car this evening and the darn thing will not start.

I've ruled out the battery and the alternator (replaced both 9 months ago). When I turn the key, all the internal lights go on. When I go to crank the car - absolutely nothing - I can hear a click from my engine bay, but I can't even get a hard start like I usually get with the starter problem.

I tried letting the car roll a little bit in neutral, but I still get nothing.

I'm not any means a mechanically inclined, but I do have some basic knowledge. I do have AAA, so I'll call them and wait the obligatory 90 minutes if I have to. I really need some help here.

 

If I understand correctly, you have a replacement starter that you haven't put in yet?

Give the starter in a car a quick whack with a mallet or 2x4 and see if that helps.

Its likely the starter, but it could also be the ignition switch. The fact that you are hearing a click suggests its most probably the starter.

 

I'm going to guess that you ing switch has failed. The electrical part of the switch is no longer sending the signal for the starter to "start". There is an easy test you can do with a test light. If you installed the starter you know the wire that plugs into the harness. Disconnect that wire put a testlight in line and turn the key..... light on with the switch = failed starter or not enough power to the starter....no light when the key is turned = failed switch or wiring issue..... the switchs fail overtime. Mine did.

I should learn to read better ... I saw replaced batt and starter not batt and alt... test will still tell. But with your symptoms starter is better bet

 

i purchased a new starter last night after work, and my mechanic told I could drop the car off to him tomorrow morning. Luckily, my girlfriend has jury duty so I can take her car to work.

The starter was giving me a hard time for about a week now. When I cranked the car, it would choke for about 3-4 seconds and then everything would be normal. But this evening - nothing. I can't even get a hard crank.

Would giving the starter a hard tap help any?

 

It might help you get the car started to get you to the mechanic.

 

Sorry to sound like a dummy, but where is the starter located? My Chilton manual shows a picture of the starter, but not the location in the engine bay.

 

Its under the air intake - take off the snorkel piece that runs from the airbox to the front of the engine bay (air inlet) and you'll see it bolted to the transmission.

www.motorvate.ca has a nice writeup.

 

thanks! i will take a look in the morning and give it a shot (literally).

 

Same thing happened to me today. Sounds like its the starter. one click and then nothing with the battery still turining things on. Its true that you can hit the starter and generally this will fix the problem till you can get a new one.
I had to call AAA b/c i couldnt find anything to hit it with. I was in a shady part of town and asked local shops for brooms or whatever, i even pulled a broom out ofthe garbage and tried to hit it with that. But you need soemthing short about 2 feet long thick and hard like metal . You cant tap it you gotta hit it. good luck and let me know if you find any deals on starters cause i need one too.

 

couldn't it also be because of the cold weather
its really cold here in ATL

 

Definitely sounds like your starter. You're getting lights so your battery is good. I had the same issue last week so I just put a whack to the starter to get it started and then changed the starter over the weekend. Like someone else said in prior posts, give the starter a ding w/ a pair of pliers while you have someone else try to start it.

 

Mechanic confirmed it was my starter. Apparently it was completely shot, because he wasn't able to get it started. even when AAA dropped it off in front of his place.... he had to push it inot his shop, haha!! He replaced the starter (along with a new set of Kumho tires I ordered), and it started up like new.