Fixed - Good battery. Dash lights up. No starter turnover

Post by **atomicpop** » 22 Oct 2011, 12:24

Just came out from grocery shopping. Loaded the car, turn the key, no starter. Dash lights up just fine. Gauges all active. No starting motor engaging when key is turned though. Battery cables appear fine as do those to the coil and distributor.

I'm at a loss. Any suggestions before I call for a tow?

Post by **atomicpop** » 22 Oct 2011, 14:20

Fixed. For lack of anything else to do while waiting for a tow, I tried jumping it. Started right up. Battery is 5 1/2 years old so, despite the fact that it seemed to be fine, I guess it lacked the CCA to actually engage the starter motor.

Cheers all!

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 22 Oct 2011, 15:05

A load test of the battery would be a good test to run.
You may also have possible cable issues. A volt drop test
for a car this age is good preventative maintenance.
Be a bummer if the jump didn't work next time!

Post by **atomicpop** » 22 Oct 2011, 15:23

Yes, agreed on all fronts. My gut tells me that the battery isn't the core issue, just a symptom. I think there is an underlying cause which I haven't found yet.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Billc1015 · Post by **Billc1015** » 22 Oct 2011, 16:05

Did the lights on the dash go dim when you tried to start?

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Post by **atomicpop** » 22 Oct 2011, 17:13

No, not for the first 6 to 8 tries (over about 10 minutes) at least. Eventually I did wear the battery down with my repeated attempts to start the car but initially it appeared fully charged and functioning normally.

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 22 Oct 2011, 19:32

A bad cable to the starter wouldn't affect the B+ loads.
Just not enough current for the starter. Hence, Volt Drop test.

Billc1015 · Post by **Billc1015** » 22 Oct 2011, 19:47

Could also be a bad or misadjusted pnp switch. If the contacts inside are dirty or it is out of alignment you won't be able to start it. Try to move the shifter back and forth through all the gears and then try to start it.

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