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The easiest way is to take it to a parts store where most of them will check them out free. It also helps if we know what kind of car you have. GoodluckJoe
turn your head lights on and try to start it if the headlights go out its more than likely your battery if they stay bright or barely dim its your starter
try the lights, do they turn on? if yes, then it probably isn't the battery. if its the starter motor, you should hear a loud clicking sound from the engine when you turn the key in the ignition. if this is the problem, turn the car off, open the door, stand on the sill at the side of the car while holding the edge of the roof and rock the car. if the car starts after this - its your starter.
If your starter was bad your car would not even crank. If its your battery the starter will click repeatedly.
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∙ 8y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoit should lose power if not work at all. take it off and take it to autozone or something they should test it for you
Taking off and having tested will surely work, but if you don't want to take it off do the following. Jack up the car and secure it with jack stands. DO NOT work under a car only supported by a jack. It hurts real bad if a car falls on you. You need a volt meter. Set the meter to read DC volts. Find the terminal that runs to the starter motor, not the incoming to the solonoid. Put the red lead of your meter on that terminal. Put the black lead to ground. Have someone try the starter by turning the switch key. If you get 12 plus volts reading and the starter is not turning, you just might have a bad starter. Keep your hands clear of moving items suchs as belts etc. If you get no reading, you may have a bad solonoid also ck the battery cable. Good luck. JA
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∙ 16y agoAfter making absolutely sure the battery is fully charged, all the connections are clean and tight and the starter selinoid is working properly: The the engine refuses to turn over, the starter is probably bad. The engine turns over very, very slowly, the starter is probably bad. The engine starts to turn over and you hear a whirring noise, the starter is probably bad.
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∙ 14y agothe best way to tell is by removing it from the car or truck and bench test it or take it to your local auto parts store and let them check it. but when you are tring to start it if it is just clicking then i would say it is probly bad
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoFirst make sure you are getting 12amps at the solenoid and starter. If so, run a wire from solenoid to hot side of starter. It should turn over (assuming battery is strong). You can also jump straight from battery or jump box to starter. Make sure you have a good ground. I replaced starter on my 140hp Johnson for like $50 with a new omc starter from amazon.
Wiki User
∙ 16y agoTake it out and bring to auto parts store to be checked
Wiki User
∙ 16y agoRemove and bring to an auto parts stores that is able to test it for load, drag, and shorts
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What makes a starter go out on a 2008 dodge charger?
Age, overuse, bad voltage from the battery
Can the starter solenoid make a car act like it has a dead battery?
Yes. If the solenoid fails to energize to engage the starter, it may seem like a dead battery. However, by turning the lights on and observing that they stay bright even when trying to start the car, it provides the symptom of a bad solenoid and not a dead battery. that is generally true. even better is honking the horn, if it is loud and high like normal then battery may be ok, if is low and sounds sick then battery is down, not necessary dead but needs tending to, further i have seen that if all those things check out sometimes it is the connections on the cables both sides and definitely on the starter solonoid itself. if battery cable is run from battery to starter solonoid and nothing occurs then battery needs looking at. if battery is ok and all fails then solonoid is bad, bad solonoids can be repaired by disassembly and rotaing contact screw 180 degrees to allow a new contact surface. generally takes less time than running to pick up new solonoid and cheaper too
What relay in the dashboard of a 1992 Cadillac Sedan DeVille makes all of the electronics flicker?
It probably isn't a relay- what you will most probably have is bad battery connections, a bad ground, or bad connections/w fusible link down on the starter.
How can we check the starter's external wiring circuit for volt drop?
For voltage drop checking on the wire from the battery positive post to the starter main terminal, you place the voltmeter reading on the 1 to 3 volt range, (or what lower range you have). You then place one voltmeter lead on the positive battery post, the other lead you place on the starter positive terminal and have someone crank the engine. While the engine is cranking, you observe the voltage drop. It should be less than a volt. This seems strange because you would think the cable would not drop voltage but it sure can. If the battery post is dirty or bad connection, you could see a voltage drop all the way to the maximum 12 volts battery voltage depending upon the connection. Also you can check the return path the same way--- Negative case of the starter to the negative post on the battery for voltage drop. If it is more than a volt or two, you have a bad ground return circuit.
When I try to start me car it wont start and makes a clicking sound?
sounds like your starter, some times if you get under neath the car and hit the starter a few times with a rubber mallet or a hammer. It will break free if its froze up, but if it won't turn over after doing that then your starter is toast. If the starter goes it sometimes takes out the battery too. so you might need a new one as well.
Bas battery or bad starter?
Remove the battery and take it to an auto parts store for testing. They can tell you if it is bad. If it is good, then remove the starter and do the same thing.
What would cause a positive battery cable to burn up?
bad starter or bad connection to starter or bad ground on battery or starter
Clicking and will not start?
Could be the battery is drained or bad. Could be battery connections at battery and or starter are dirty and or loose. Could be starter solenoid is bad. Could be starter is bad.
Will a bad battery drain your starter?
Your starter is incapable of being drained. It is an electric motor. However a bad starter can drain your battery
If your car won't start how can you tell if it is your battery or starter that is bad?
First, turn on the headlights. Now, have someone watch them as you try to start the car; do they get dim? If so, the battery is in need of a charge; If not, you need to check your connections at the starter. You may have a bad starter, starter solenoid, or connection.
What causes a 1993 buick lesabre not to start after replacing the starter?
My suggestion is to make sure that you have a good connection between your starter and your battery. Is the starter even functioning? If not, it is probably a bad starter, a bad battery, a bad fusible link for the starter, a blown fuse, or just a bad connection. My suggestion is to make sure that you have a good connection between your starter and your battery. Is the starter even functioning? If not, it is probably a bad starter, a bad battery, a bad fusible link for the starter, a blown fuse, or just a bad connection.
Why Ford truck does not start after turning off engine?
The starter could be bad. Or the battery. The starter could be bad. Or the battery.
Will vw cabrio jump start with a bad starter?
If the starter is bad no. Check battery, starter and solenoid to be sure which is bad.
How can you tell your starter is going bad on 1991 Toyota 4 runner?
Not sure if its the starter or the battery? Check the battery at a store. They can do a check on it for free. If its good then the starter could be bad. Bad starters don't work or they work intermittently. Usually just ehear a click and then when you retry it starts. That's the symptoms. Most places can also check the starter for you.
What will would stop a car not start but makes a clicking sound at the starter motor?
dead battery bad starter solenoid bad starter loose or corroded battery or starter cables
Why Ignition clicks but wont start?
Could be,low battery, loose or dirty battery connections, starter is bad, starter solenoid is bad, neutral safety switch bad or out of adjustment, starter relay is bad,
Why would a 1999 Passport not start?
Dead battery? Loose or corroded battery cables? Bad starter? Bad starter solenoid? Bad neutral Switch?
