Ok, my wife's Cavy (97 2.2) was running fine about a week ago (back windshield broken, hasn't been used in a week) and now when I try to turn the ignition on, the engine won't turn over or even crank. Rather I hear what I think is the starter making a rapidly quick "knocking" noise. It makes this noise for about 3 seconds and then stops and the fan for the motor turns on. All the warning lights stay on in the cluster, ABS, Check Engine, Oil, Battery, etc. After the fan is running for about 10 seconds it shuts back off and all the warning lights on the instrument cluster turn off.
I've browsed a few threads on here and it seems to be a starter problem, but wanted to double check before going off and looking for a replacement starter.
On a scale of 1-10, how difficult of a repair would this be? I have the basic hand tools but don't have the capability of doing any kind of major repair, so if it's better to get it towed to a shop to get the work done I guess I could do that but really don't want to have to.
Anyways.....any thoughts? Thanks!
u need metric wrenches and proboly 30 minutes. Changing the starter is a cake job. Just remove the wires and unbolt it. Just be sure to reinstall the shim.
It sounds to me like the battery is just too low. When you turn it to "start", the solenoid is pulled in to engage the starter. If the battery is too low, the starter will pull the voltage down too low for the solenoid to remain closed, so it opens. Since you are still holding it at the "start" position, the cycle will begin again and repeat. Perhaps our cars have some kind of electronic intervention to limit how long this can go on (3 seconds maybe?), but I would verify that you have proper voltage there (it should be sitting at 12.6V or better), and if not, either charge the battery or give it a boost. Don't go buying anything or taking anything apart until you verify your power source! If the battery and all connections are good, I would then remove the starter and get it bench tested to make sure it's the culprit before buying a new one. It's a pretty easy test, you could even do carefully with jumper cables if you wanted to.
Still - check that battery!
John
http://registry.gmenthusiast.com/images/2002sunfiresl/Modified%20sunfire2.jpg
Agree with John S
Battery charge or a connection.
If you can monitor the battery voltage before and as you crank it it should be 12.6 or better (as John says) and no lower than 9 volts during cranking.
It will drop lower than 9 volts, because it needs charging, there is a bad connection or (unlikely) a bad battery.
I would doubt the starter, it was o.k. a week ago!
Alont
Check the battery,
I guess you could jump the battery and see if the car starts with the help of a second battery and jumper cables
Check the alternator,
When the car is running, disconnect the negative cable off the battery.
The Alternator should be able to generate plenty of voltage to keep the car running happy with out the battery.
if the car does not start with jumper cables or a battery charger then have the starter tested at advance Auto. they test starters and alternators at no cost. (you have to remove the starter and take it to them).
that is all I can think of right now, Good luck!
is your battery, alternator, starter or something because it sounds like an electrical problem. ERRRRRR!!!
yea first jump the car with cables before you dump 60 bucks on a starter. if it doesnt work the starter is really simple. only 3 bolts hold it on. took me about 20 mins to do. just make sure you remember what wires go on what peg.
Wow, thanks guys for the information. I'll definately pull the battery and get it charged before trying the starter. My initial reaction when I heard the noise was a problem with anything other than the battery. The battery was powering all the lights, chimes, etc. so I just assumed the battery was A-OK. Will update as soon as I can get the battery charged....
why not just jump start it ? the rapid clicking is a low battery. try to jump start i bet it will start..
Yup, sure enough it was the battery. I ended up just buying a new one since it would have been the third time having to re-charge it. Plus we've had the car 2 years so I figure I might as well just get a new battery for it. Thanks for the help!
