Alright, here is what is going on...

My engine will only start with a jump from another car/charging it. I just put in a new battery because of this problem yesterday. It clicks when you turn the key, you know like 'click click click click'. I don't think it is the starter at all. I think it is the alternator. Anyone have any ideas? I'm lost .

EDIT: Also, I put a bit too much engine oil in it...could that be it?

Lucas

 

You cab check your alternator and starter at kregan auto parts. Just take ur car there and say u want an alternator/starter test, its free. and drain out ur extra oil until it is at the right level.

 

when u changed the battery did it start up perfectly? Or start at all? Gatta be either the starter or alter.

 

We don't have that store were I am. I am gonna drain out the oil in a few hours, it just worryies me that it's too full.

Yeah, I got a new battery because my car didn't start. When I got it, it started right up. Now I don't start at all. I'm lost.

I might just break down and get it checked out by a real mechanic.

 

sounds to me like a bad alternator. it's not charging your batter while it's on, hence it running out of juice and not starting up when you try it again.

 

bro, sounds like ur alternator is bad, ive heard u can take it to a shop and then will fix it up for u, or u can buy a new one. Pretty sure its the alternator though

 

Well, luckily I called up a friend, and fellow 240sx owner, and he recently purchased a wrecked '90 coupe. I'm getting the starter and alt. for $100.

Thanks guys

 

awesum, tell us if it works go0d when ya install em

 

It could possibly be more than that

Check the battery with a voltmeter and it should read ~12.6, anything less and your battery isn't good. Then check the ground wire, because if it's not grounding correctly thats your problem right there. When your car is jump started, check the battery again, it should read ~13.6 or so, because the alternator should be juicing the car.

Thats the best place to start.

Dr.

 

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but that "click click click" - could that be a sign of a sticky starter? I remember my girlfriend's old car (Honduh) made that click click noise, and I went ghetto, tapping the starter with a tire iron, and within a couple of seconds the car magically started up.

Stupid Hondas.

 

I was told the exact opposite, and had the exact opposite happen to me. Intermittently my s13 wouldn't start, you'd turn the key over, it would click once and nothing would happen. So I would get out and smack the **** out of the starter, err, caress it, and it would start. Finally it got to the point when it took 2 hours of coaxing for the starter to work, so I replaced it.
I would only click once and nothing would happen.

Dr.

 

Dr is right, if it goes click click click click thats the starter trying to start but doesnt have the juice for it or theres another problem. If there is only a click or 2 and stops then the starter is starting to go bad. Just my $.02

 

alright, just wanted to make sure.

So do what I said in the ealier post, check the battery & Alternator, and hook up a voltmeter and you'll find your problem.

Dr.

 

You know what - I got mixed up with the click click click thing.