Car trouble. . .

[pink3elephant]

So yesterday morining. . . my car wouldn't start. Frustrated, angry, why me? So after I got back from lifting weights at 6 in the mornin(good old softball!), I came back and called a tow truck. He came over and jump started it, and it turned on.

Then i asked him if I should tow it to the place to see if i need a new battery. 'No, it should be fine'. Okay so it worked all day yesterday, started the car about 5 times. And what happens today? Yeah, the car doesnt start. UGH! Frustrated, angry, why me, again!. So I asked my guy friends down the hall(how come guys always know everything about cars?), so they're gonna help me figure it out, something about possibly an alterantor or the battery, yeah it pretty much all went over my head. I hate standing there nodding my head like i know what the heck they're talking about. .. lol. . .

So hopefully by tomorrow its all done with, and hopefully it will start tomorrow morning, *crosses fingers*. . . .

[twyrch]

pink3elephant said:

So yesterday morining. . . my car wouldn't start. Frustrated, angry, why me? So after I got back from lifting weights at 6 in the mornin(good old softball!), I came back and called a tow truck. He came over and jump started it, and it turned on.

Then i asked him if I should tow it to the place to see if i need a new battery. 'No, it should be fine'. Okay so it worked all day yesterday, started the car about 5 times. And what happens today? Yeah, the car doesnt start. UGH! Frustrated, angry, why me, again!. So I asked my guy friends down the hall(how come guys always know everything about cars?), so they're gonna help me figure it out, something about possibly an alterantor or the battery, yeah it pretty much all went over my head. I hate standing there nodding my head like i know what the heck they're talking about. .. lol. . .

So hopefully by tomorrow its all done with, and hopefully it will start tomorrow morning, *crosses fingers*. . . .

Sorry to hear about your car trouble. I hope you finally got it working.

[dgan]

Hopefully, your friends will take care of the problem. If not, print this out and give it to them.

Always fix the cheapest things first, and work toward the expensive. For example, don't change the alternator unless you've tried to fix everything else.

Cables: My first thought after reading your description is that the battery cables may not be tightly secured to the battery. They often will work themselves loose, causing the type of occasional problem you mentioned.

Battery: I doubt it's the battery, because a battery is either good or bad. It wouldn't work sometimes and not others - at least not normally.

Starter: The starter can "freeze up" on you as it gets older. Generally, you can discover if this is the problem by hitting the starter with a hammer when the car doesn't start. If hitting the starter fixes the problem, that's probably what you want to replace. Also, if it's the starter, the car usually will not make any type of clicking noise when you turn the key - it just basically won't do anything.

Alternator: This is probably the most expensive, so I hope that's not it. The alternator is what charges the battery, which is what gives your car the power to start. When you turn the key, a bad alternator is often indicated by a clicking noise. The best way to check to see if it is charging the battery is at night, while the car is running, shine the headlights at a garage door or something flat. Then step on the gas and rev up the engine. If the lights get noticeably brighter as you step on the gas, then your alternator is probably OK.

I'm not sure what year/model vehicle you have, but if you have to replace the alternator or starter, look into getting a rebuilt part from a junk yard or used car parts store. They are usually at least half the price and most mechanics will install the part for you if you provide them with it. Of course, there probably wouldn't be any type of warranty, but I've never had a problem doing that.

Hope you didn't need any of that info - or if you do, hope it helps!

[tinidril]

dgan said:

Hopefully, your friends will take care of the problem. If not, print this out and give it to them.

Always fix the cheapest things first, and work toward the expensive. For example, don't change the alternator unless you've tried to fix everything else.

Cables: My first thought after reading your description is that the battery cables may not be tightly secured to the battery. They often will work themselves loose, causing the type of occasional problem you mentioned.

Battery: I doubt it's the battery, because a battery is either good or bad. It wouldn't work sometimes and not others - at least not normally.

Starter: The starter can "freeze up" on you as it gets older. Generally, you can discover if this is the problem by hitting the starter with a hammer when the car doesn't start. If hitting the starter fixes the problem, that's probably what you want to replace. Also, if it's the starter, the car usually will not make any type of clicking noise when you turn the key - it just basically won't do anything.

Alternator: This is probably the most expensive, so I hope that's not it. The alternator is what charges the battery, which is what gives your car the power to start. When you turn the key, a bad alternator is often indicated by a clicking noise. The best way to check to see if it is charging the battery is at night, while the car is running, shine the headlights at a garage door or something flat. Then step on the gas and rev up the engine. If the lights get noticeably brighter as you step on the gas, then your alternator is probably OK.

I'm not sure what year/model vehicle you have, but if you have to replace the alternator or starter, look into getting a rebuilt part from a junk yard or used car parts store. They are usually at least half the price and most mechanics will install the part for you if you provide them with it. Of course, there probably wouldn't be any type of warranty, but I've never had a problem doing that.

Hope you didn't need any of that info - or if you do, hope it helps!

Dgan's advice is excellent, and I can attest from years of experience with used cars that his information is correct. I'll only add one more thing: if the car is newer there could also be a computer controlling the electrical system which may be malfunctioning. The only way to find out if this is the problem is to have a mechanic with a diagnostic machine test it. Replacing onboard computer parts is generally expensive. Doncha just looove technology?

God have mercy on your car and your budget!

[pink3elephant]

Hey you guys, thanks for all the advice. . .

yesterday the guy who helped me took out the battery, and then we got it tested at a place. And it was going bad, almost dead.

So I bought a new battery, he put it in. . . and vuah la my car works. YES! So hopefully my problems are solved.

Thanks again you guys!

[dgan]

Glad to hear it! Guys in Hicktown, USA must be pretty smart.