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redbaronace

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Having problem getting car to start.

Charged battery up at Autozone and they said battery is fine and full charge.

Put battery back into car and cleaned off terminals and posts. Cinched up the connections tight.

All electronics work properly and stereo and lights appear to have full power.

When I try to turn key, here is a click noise coming from under hood but no start.

Key fob does lock and unlock doors.

Car did start previously after charging the battery up, but will not start now.

Any suggestions as to what it could be? Anything to look for or try?
 
Having problem getting car to start.

Charged battery up at Autozone and they said battery is fine and full charge.

Put battery back into car and cleaned off terminals and posts. Cinched up the connections tight.

All electronics work properly and stereo and lights appear to have full power.

When I try to turn key, here is a click noise coming from under hood but no start.

Key fob does lock and unlock doors.

Car did start previously after charging the battery up, but will not start now.

Any suggestions as to what it could be? Anything to look for or try?
If it won't even turn over, could it be the alternator or a bad connection to the alternator? Possibly a bad fuse or relay that controls the alternator??
 
Likely your starter. The click is the solenoid that kicks out the pinion gear into the flywheel. Not sure if you can replace just the solenoid on this car or not.
 
If the battery is okay, try another key to rule out the immobilzer system. Test all fuses. Test battery voltage as you turn the key. The starter may be the culprit. If voltage is good and key not the problem and all fuses are okay, then locate starter and hit it with a hammer continuously as someone else turns the key (Be safe if you are under your car). The alternator would be ruled out as it is not needed to start the car.
 
As others have said, that sounds like the classic starter failure. Banging on it might get it started and then you know for sure that is the problem.

I had a similar issue but with no clicking and it turned out to be an immobilizer thing because I was messing with my key. But chances are this is not your problem because it shows a message in the dash and a yellow triangle so I think you would have noticed that.
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
As others have said, that sounds like the classic starter failure. Banging on it might get it started and then you know for sure that is the problem.

I had a similar issue but with no clicking and it turned out to be an immobilizer thing because I was messing with my key. But chances are this is not your problem because it shows a message in the dash and a yellow triangle so I think you would have noticed that.
No message regarding an immobilizer failure.

I only have one key, so no option of trying a different one.

Guess I will get the car up on jack stands and try hitting the starter to see if it does anything for me. Keeping my fingers crossed.
 
No message regarding an immobilizer failure.

I only have one key, so no option of trying a different one.

Guess I will get the car up on jack stands and try hitting the starter to see if it does anything for me. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Test with a multimeter that you are getting power to your starter. It still could be a fuse. It much less time consuming to check the fuses. Remember there are three fuse panels in the R.
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
Test with a multimeter that you are getting power to your starter. It still could be a fuse. It much less time consuming to check the fuses. Remember there are three fuse panels in the R.
Checked the engine compartment fuse box and the cabin fuse box and did not find any blown fuses.

Currently have the battery on a trickle charger and will try to fire it up with full battery.

Will also check the fuses location in the rear.
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
stick your hand behind the starter and wiggle the starter solenoid signal wire then your car will start. the wire is the small wire with a spade connector
Can I reach this wire from up top or do I need to be underneath the car.

Presumed that I would need to raise the car up on jackstands to hit it with the hammer or wiggle the solenoid signal wire. Also when I wiggle the wire, does the key need to be in position II?
 
if you remove intake snorkle then you can get from top no do not hit it. the reason is that the splade connector builds up corrosion and when u wiggle it it cleans the contact. the wire i am talking about is the small green wire not the big power wire...
 
Discussion starter · #14 ·
Ok, purchased a trickle charger and it said battery was at only 25% charge.

Let battery charge to 75% and when I turned key, fired right up. Looks like I might need a new battery at the very least.

Thanks folks. If I have additional issues with this, I will report back.
 
Ok, purchased a trickle charger and it said battery was at only 25% charge.

Let battery charge to 75% and when I turned key, fired right up. Looks like I might need a new battery at the very least.

Thanks folks. If I have additional issues with this, I will report back.
Yeah...had this happen before too. Never trust the idiots at Autozone.
 
i thought the battery was fully charged.
Everyone did, I was agreeing with the starter problem. I think Autozone's battery tester just sees if the battery holds a charge or has one, not how good it is. Remember if you buy a good battery you should only need one every five years.

Has it been cold in your area? During the winter my car was taking a bit to start up so I just went and got a new battery knowing that was probably the issue. For the rest of winter it started strong.
 
Discussion starter · #18 ·
Thanks to everyone who responded. Yes, the auto parts store is actually called (Schucks / O'Rileys), but I called it Autozone because that place is better known nationwide AND the point was to let people know that it was a big box auto parts store.

What they did was take my battery and put it on the slow charger machine for 2 hours. When you return for the battery, they let you know if it is good, if it holds charge, etc.

The clerk said that the battery was fine and that it was fully charged. When I took it home, wouldn't start the car. SO, I hooked up the trickle charger that I purchased and after about 1 hour on the car, it fired up just fine. Ever since, it is starting perfectly.

So in the end, I may need a new battery, but at least its not a starter or electrical (relay) or cable. Very much a relief to know that this issue is resolved.

I still have BCM codes and ABS / Anti Skid service required messages to figure out and will as time allows.

And to avoid confusing folks, this car being referenced is not my daily driver R, it is a back up project car with high miles.
 
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