Car Won't Start

[kidtaurus]

I went to go to class this morning and my car did not want to start. I get 1 click(sounds like a click from a relay) from the passenger side and thats it. The battery has 12.5-12.7V and I tried bypassing the clutch safety switch with a jumper. Still no go. What else should I check? Many thanks in advance. Oh btw I did do a search before posting.

 

[hotcracker69]

starter?

 

[kidtaurus]

thats what I was thinking or alt?

 

[bazooka joe]

you need to have the battery tested...just because the voltage looks ok, doesn't mean the cranking amos are there...how old is it? take it out and bring it to your local auto parts store or kmart/sears and have it tested. i'd start there.

 

[CheeseHelmet]

take it out and bring it to your local auto parts store or kmart/sears and have it tested. i'd start there.

Or get someone to give you a boost, if it works, your battery is shot.

 

[kidtaurus]

I got the battery and alt checked at O'Reilly's and both checked out ok. Weird thing is I jumped it to drive it there. I should have tried starting the car w/o jumping it. So it looks like I am going to remove the starter and get it checked once the weather gets better. It started fine when I left O'Reilly's.

 

[justanothermp5]

make sure the terminals and the batter cables are clean, mine corrode real bad and ive had it not start twice because of it, within 6 months!

same noise when i went to start it up, i just removed the cable, and soaked it in water and baking soda for a couple mins, wiped it off and it started right up after that

 

[kidtaurus]

My terminals are clean. I am going to clean them anyways and spray them with some battery terminal protectant that I got for my wife's car which are corroded like mad and need to be cleaned.

 

[wagon]

Causal corrosion can be located anywhere along the battery harness inside the cable from one end to the other; clean, even new, terminals would then not make any difference.

 

[wagon]

Sorry,
Causal corrosion can be located unseen anywhere along the battery harness inside the cable from one end to the other; clean, even new, terminals would then not make any difference.

 

[flash75]

Check the voltage at the battery positive post with the ignition in the start
position. It may drop below 12 volts but shouldn't be less than around 10 volts.
Check the voltage at the fuse box main input with ignition in the start position.
It should be about the same voltage you measured at the battery.

If there is a big difference between the two readings, you have a connector
or cable problem as has been mentioned.

Clifton

 

[kidtaurus]

I just got my Optima exchanged for a new one and so far (knock on wood) my car has been starting fine. I will keep you all updated if anything changes. Many thanks for your recommendations on how to fix my car.