Car wont start...need assistance

97GTSTANG

Founding Member

May 25, 2000

852

0

17

Virginia

Apr 9, 2007

#1

• Apr 9, 2007

• #1

I went to start my car tonight after work and it wont crank over. it was quiet, not even trying to crank. however i can hear the fuel pump coming on. the headlights came on, the interior light came on, but the radio wouldnt come on, and the door locks wont work. Can it be the battery, or alternator? any suggestions?

 

P

Performance Red

Member

Nov 29, 2004

75

2

6

Apr 9, 2007

#2

• Apr 9, 2007

• #2

Sounds like the battery is ded, does it make a clicking noise when you try and start it or is it completely quiet? The alternator has nothing to due with the car starting, it keeps charging the battery while the engine is running. The only 3 real things that start the car is fuel, battery, and starter. And you said that the fuel pump comes on, so that leaves battery and starter.

 

97GTSTANG

Founding Member

May 25, 2000

852

0

17

Virginia

Apr 9, 2007

#3

• Apr 9, 2007

• #3

Performance Red said:

Sounds like the battery is ded, does it make a clicking noise when you try and start it or is it completely quiet? The alternator has nothing to due with the car starting, it keeps charging the battery while the engine is running. The only 3 real things that start the car is fuel, battery, and starter. And you said that the fuel pump comes on, so that leaves battery and starter.

Click to expand...

Its completely quiet, when i first tried it, it did make a sound like it wanted to start, then i tried it again and no sound, completely quiet. I will change battery tomororw and see if that works, if not, where cna i get starter from? get oem or aftermarket, any difference?

 

jcint

Member

Mar 30, 2005

168

2

16

wellington florida

Apr 10, 2007

#4

• Apr 10, 2007

• #4

battery.

 

00GTpony

Member

Mar 10, 2007

162

0

16

Apr 10, 2007

#5

• Apr 10, 2007

• #5

get a buddy to push it, put it in gear and pop the clutch..see if she starts

 

screamin gt

5 Year Member

Apr 9, 2007

393

6

28

central CT

Apr 10, 2007

#6

• Apr 10, 2007

• #6

could be the battery, but it also could be the alternator. if the alternator wasn't working properly for a while the car could have been running off the battery alone for a while and slowly drained to the point its at.

you should be able to take the battery to any "advance auto" or "auto zone" and they will test it for you. if the battery tests good then you know its the alternator

 

P

Performance Red

Member

Nov 29, 2004

75

2

6

Apr 10, 2007

#7

• Apr 10, 2007

• #7

yeah your problem at the moment is the battery is dead, you could just put a charger on it and let it sit for a bit and it should start again. You just need to figure out what caused the battery to die, it could be you left an interior light on or the headlights on or something like that, could be a charging issue with the alternator, or the car could have just sat in a garage for awhile and the battery slowly died. I would take it to autozone and have it checked, make sure its ok and go from there.

 

97GTSTANG

Founding Member

May 25, 2000

852

0

17

Virginia

Apr 10, 2007

#8

• Apr 10, 2007

• #8

thanks for the advice guys, well i finally got it checked out, and the starter results is at 799MS. not sure what that means but the tech says its normal. The alternator is at 14.17 with no loads and 13.95 with all loads. he said thats normal too, however the battery says 12.35V 350CCA he said it should be at 630CCA to be normal. What do you all think, is the starter and alternator in normal shape, or should i get them replaced also?

 

screamin gt

5 Year Member

Apr 9, 2007

393

6

28

central CT

Apr 10, 2007

#9

• Apr 10, 2007

• #9

97GTSTANG said:

thanks for the advice guys, well i finally got it checked out, and the starter results is at 799MS. not sure what that means but the tech says its normal. The alternator is at 14.17 with no loads and 13.95 with all loads. he said thats normal too, however the battery says 12.35V 350CCA he said it should be at 630CCA to be normal. What do you all think, is the starter and alternator in normal shape, or should i get them replaced also?

Click to expand...

just the battery then, old and weak is all.

I would suggest getting a good one, the cheap ones always give me problems so now I always spend a little extra for the better ones

 

97GTSTANG

Founding Member

May 25, 2000

852

0

17

Virginia

Apr 10, 2007

#10

• Apr 10, 2007

• #10

screamin gt said:

just the battery then, old and weak is all.

I would suggest getting a good one, the cheap ones always give me problems so now I always spend a little extra for the better ones

Click to expand...

Thanks, what do you suggest is a good battery? Best place to get one? What CCA should i look for? I live in VA it gets cold here. I think the one i have now is above 600, does it make a difference?> i have seen some at 550CCA

 

E

El Diablo

Member

Aug 1, 2004

53

0

6

Apr 10, 2007

#11

• Apr 10, 2007

• #11

Get the Optima yellow top...one of the best batterys you can get...

 

97GTSTANG

Founding Member

May 25, 2000

852

0

17

Virginia

Apr 10, 2007

#12

• Apr 10, 2007

• #12

El Diablo said:

Get the Optima yellow top...one of the best batterys you can get...

Click to expand...

trying to spend under $80. any suggestions. I heard about the Optima, but also i heard i have to modify the plate since its a smaller battery. anything i can pick up from autozone or advanced auto that is better than another. hwo about the CCA, any difference?

 

the98stang

Active Member

Aug 12, 2005

2,408

0

47

Clovis, CA

Apr 10, 2007

#13

• Apr 10, 2007

• #13

A battery is a battery man. Just buy the one that has a 2 yr warrenty.

 

97GTSTANG

Founding Member

May 25, 2000

852

0

17

Virginia

Apr 11, 2007

#14

• Apr 11, 2007

• #14

thanks for the help guys, i replaced it with a battery from Advanced auto for $60 and its working like a champ. 2 years warranty

 

97GTSTANG

Founding Member

May 25, 2000

852

0

17

Virginia

May 16, 2007

#15

• May 16, 2007

• #15

Well, the battery died again. Now i am not sure what to do, i just got the battery about a month ago. They have checked the alternator about 3 months ago and it was showing 14.17 with no loads. I am not sure if i should just get a new alternator or what? Any suggestions whatelse to do?Does Adanced Auto or AutoZone check alternators also?

 

K

Kilgore Trout

Fried or Broiled ?

10 Year Member

Mar 30, 2005

4,749

95

134

May 16, 2007

#16

• May 16, 2007

• #16

Yes, Advanced checks battery and alt in the parking lot. Also, that battery will be replaced under warranty.

 

Z

ZakeriD

Member

Jun 29, 2006

112

0

16

May 16, 2007

#17

• May 16, 2007

• #17

check for a short...

 

97GTSTANG

Founding Member

May 25, 2000

852

0

17

Virginia

May 16, 2007

#18

• May 16, 2007

• #18

Thanks for the advice guys. Where should i check for short? Whats the most common place?

 

COramprat

...I can take it. I think.

20+ Year Stangneter

Mar 2, 2003

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223

Sea of Tranquility

May 16, 2007

#19

• May 16, 2007

• #19

Had the car say up any length of time? Mine will run down if it sits for more than 3-4 days.

If the alternator is bad you would notice a problem while it is running.

 

97GTSTANG

Founding Member

May 25, 2000

852

0

17

Virginia

May 16, 2007

#20

• May 16, 2007

• #20

I found out the problem, the negative wire is bad, it keeps giving a short. I am having the wires replaced tomorrow. Will the factory wires works just as well, or should i get thicker wires?