I started the car and went to the store with no issue, less then an hour went to leave for work and got no response. Everything works fine I.e lights, radio, power windows, EXC. it just won't turn over. I assumed the starter went out on me.i took the starter off and had it tested. The starter turned over in the machine but the worker said it might be having trouble with the load but the new starter is expensive for me to just guess. I didn't get anything from the starter wile it was on the car" not even a click or tick". Is this a starter problem or something worse. Can anyone help me figure this out? With the info available would you replace the starter or continue trouble shooting?
-
Welcome to the site. Did you also have the battery tested? Just because the lights, radio and windows work doesn't mean the battery is OK. Can you define "got no response"? Does it make any noise, like click?– CharlieRBApr 26, 2017 at 11:56
-
Are you getting 12v to the starter when you turn the key?– raydoweApr 26, 2017 at 11:57
-
I have no way to find that out– Kasey RoyApr 26, 2017 at 12:16
-
No clicks or ticks when I turn the key over– Kasey RoyApr 26, 2017 at 12:17
-
Maybe your battery is low. It takes more power to start a car than it does to turn on a radio...– coryApr 26, 2017 at 13:58
1 Answer
It sounds to me from your description as though either the relay is not telling the starter to energize or the ignition switch went bad. At this point I would not suspect the battery because you said you get nothing when you turn the key, but all of the accessories are working. You could have it tested just to eliminate it, but I'd not lean in the direction of it having an issue at this point. I don't think it's the starter, because you had it tested. If it isn't making any sort of noise, one might suspect the solenoid, but if the solenoid works when it's being bench tested, it's not the issue. Don't replace it (at this point) as this would cost you a lot of money for no reason.
You could possibly try to rotate the key several times in the ignition switch in rapid succession. If this causes the starter to kick at some point, this is where I'd start looking. If it does nothing, check to see if there's a starter relay in the under hood fuse box. If there, swap it out with a known good one (there should be several in this same location which don't need to be used to start the car). If the relay is bad, just replace it.
Other than that, you are probably looking at a trip to the mechanic. The reason for the issue is going to be buried somewhere in the wiring.
-
OK update, I have had the starter tested again and also had the battery checked for good measure, both checked out OK. Power is getting to the relay for the starter "in fuse box under the hood" because when the key is turned I can feel it clicking but still no response from the starter. I'm at a loss here I can assume the ignition went out I guess but I was told if I replace that the the car has to be reprogrammed so I am just beat on this one. Any additional advice would be greatly appreciated. Apr 27, 2017 at 18:27
-
You need to check to ensure the relay is passing power through it, not just going "click". The easiest way to do this is to exchange it with a known good one. You can also jump the through power (not the relay energizing circuit) to see if power is getting down to the starter.– Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2 ♦Apr 27, 2017 at 18:32