| 10/25/2008 6:19:32 AM |
Diagnosing Car Problems |
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lynn2932
Jackson, NJ
age: 51
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I'm sure there's many single women out there who need help with their cars. Help with diagnosing the problem before you take it to your machenic.
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| 10/25/2008 6:23:19 AM |
Diagnosing Car Problems |
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lynn2932
Jackson, NJ
age: 51
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My daughters car wouldn't start this morning. My question is, if the car doesn't make any sound when you try to start it, is it the battery? If it were the alternator, wouldn't it make some sort of sound?
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| 10/25/2008 2:22:18 PM |
Diagnosing Car Problems |
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winesong
Bend, OR
age: 61
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I thought an alternator made the *click click click* sound...
when it was not functioning properly.
Did you have any interior lights?
Dash lights?
Any power at all, like the radio?
How old is the battery?
Is it under warranty by chance?
going into winter in my area, means having a
battery that is FULL and maintains a charge..13.2
volts on my information center. Cars are difficult
to start in freezing weather....I have a trickle charger
for extra boost on the battery.
Wine
Good luck..hope it is running now.
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| 10/25/2008 2:53:51 PM |
Diagnosing Car Problems |
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robbie81
Orlando, FL
age: 28
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If the battery starts to fail on you, you may get some clicking and some dim dash lights before it goes completely dead. Beware that often enough, the battery terminals need to be cleaned and will not allow the car to start even though the dash lights and radio may work. I have had this experience several times on different cars.
If the alternator fails for some reason, you will be driving around on the battery until it becomes drained and you may not know it until it stalls out or does not start. This should not happen too often. If you can jump start the car and it runs fine by itself the alternator should be ok 9 times out of 10.
Most auto parts stores will test your battery for you to see if it has failed.
If you have any more questions feel free to email me and I'll try to help any way I can.
[Edited 10/25/2008 2:56:42 PM PST]
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| 10/25/2008 4:13:50 PM |
Diagnosing Car Problems |
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capthogleg
Jacksonville, FL
age: 41
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ah if there is no sound there is no power so yes dead battery.
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| 10/26/2008 2:14:24 AM |
Diagnosing Car Problems |
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vintage57
Galesburg, IL
age: 51
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It could just be the connections on the battery are a little corroded or loose.
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| 10/26/2008 2:46:29 AM |
Diagnosing Car Problems |
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th6231
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ
age: 61
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Newer vehicles have complex systems that are difficult or impossible to diagnose without equipment that you probably cannot afford. It is desgined to be that way--first off--join AAA--and they can start or fix your problem if it is a small issue--anytime--anyplace--or they tow it to your shop....no guess work--no muss---no fuss. The cars are computer controlled---you can't do anything without a diagnostic look at all the systems---trying to play mechanic can cost MORE in the end. And a friend with good ideas can ruin your car. DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I TRY TO SAY???--good luck
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| 10/26/2008 6:44:01 AM |
Diagnosing Car Problems |
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jamso
La Marque, TX
age: 54
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If the battery starts to fail on you, you may get some clicking and some dim dash lights before it goes completely dead. Beware that often enough, the battery terminals need to be cleaned and will not allow the car to start even though the dash lights and radio may work. I have had this experience several times on different cars.
He's right about the terminals. And it's a simple thing to do.
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| 10/26/2008 10:59:47 PM |
Diagnosing Car Problems |
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cruise427
Los Angeles, CA
age: 41
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My daughters car wouldn't start this morning. My question is, if the car doesn't make any sound when you try to start it, is it the battery? If it were the alternator, wouldn't it make some sort of sound?
what kind of car is it ?
year , make , model ?
was it an all of a sudden thing ?
was it a gradual problum ?
were the lights left on ? or something else left on ?
something might be staying on , with the key off..
thats called a "parasitic" draw
i agree, check the terminals first, at the battery
check the ground cable at the frame or block
check the obvious first....
customer last week insisted he needed a starter. {'04 Ford F-150}
open the hood , terminals at the battery ,were corroded
replaced terminals , and that was it
he was very happy... he saved over $200
Cruise 
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| 10/26/2008 11:05:14 PM |
Diagnosing Car Problems |
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cruise427
Los Angeles, CA
age: 41
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I thought an alternator made the *click click click* sound...
when it was not functioning properly.
Did you have any interior lights?
Dash lights?
Any power at all, like the radio?
How old is the battery?
Is it under warranty by chance?
going into winter in my area, means having a
battery that is FULL and maintains a charge..13.2
volts on my information center. Cars are difficult
to start in freezing weather....I have a trickle charger
for extra boost on the battery.
Wine
Good luck..hope it is running now.
hello wine,
how are you.. 
that "click" noise, is usually the "starter solenoid"
usually ,right on top of the starter,
except ,Fords.. they have the solenoid , near the battery
take care,
Cruise
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| 10/26/2008 11:19:00 PM |
Diagnosing Car Problems |
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not_looking
Sacramento, CA
age: 50
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hello wine,
how are you..
that "click" noise, is usually the "starter solenoid"
usually ,right on top of the starter,
except ,Fords.. they have the solenoid , near the battery
take care,
Cruise
and we have a winner....
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| 10/27/2008 4:53:29 PM |
Diagnosing Car Problems |
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cruise427
Los Angeles, CA
age: 41
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not looking
hello , always nice to hear from you
Cruise
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| 10/27/2008 7:56:31 PM |
Diagnosing Car Problems |
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not_looking
Sacramento, CA
age: 50
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not looking
hello , always nice to hear from you
Cruise
I seen ya over here helping out the ladies. What a sweetheart.
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| 10/28/2008 11:22:51 AM |
Diagnosing Car Problems |
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cruise427
Los Angeles, CA
age: 41
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I seen ya over here helping out the ladies. What a sweetheart.
not looking
Cruise 427
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| 10/29/2008 10:14:58 AM |
Diagnosing Car Problems |
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thethrilla
West Yellowstone, MT
age: 26
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My daughters car wouldn't start this morning. My question is, if the car doesn't make any sound when you try to start it, is it the battery? If it were the alternator, wouldn't it make some sort of sound?
Number one, the alternator has nothing to do with starting your car. It powers your electrical devices after the engine is running.
Ok, you have two items that involve starting the car. The battery, and the starter motor. If you turn the key over, and nothing happens, your battery is the culprit. Try cleaning the posts. Auto parts stores sell a terminal cleaning kit really cheap. If you see a large amount of lime-like substance collected around the battery terminals, pour some Coca-Cola on them. It will clean it for you.
If the battery was good, you should here a clicking sound coming from the starter solenoid. Or the starter motor itself is bad.
Now, if you have dash lights and headlights and all the sorts, and still no sound or start, the circuits between the key and the starter motor are bad. Time to take it to a shop.
Have the battery tested at a store. Sears or something will usually do a load test on it. If the battery comes back good, grab a couple wrenches and crawl under the car, and pull the starter out. Depending on the car, it will be different locations. You can then take the starter to an auto parts store and they can bench test it to tell you if the starter is good or bad. If that comes back good, again, it's a wiring problem and take the car to a shop and tell them what you did so you don't get overcharged.
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