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Car problems
JebusUD
Adventure!Candy IslandRegistered User regular
Adventure!Candy IslandRegistered User regular
So, the lady has a 2004 Pontiac Grand Am GT. It made a funny sound yesterday on starting, but seemed to do fine after that. Planned on having it looked at soon, but didn't make time for it right away. Well, we should have. Because she made it to work and now it won't start.
The car has lights, not dim or anything, so the battery is not bad, also it is a relatively new battery.
When the key is turned the engine makes a click noise like it is going to crank, but does not.
When she held the key for longer a big puff of white smoke came out from under the engine. It smelled like burning electronics. ( googling suggests a "fusable link", but I don't really know what that means). Basically it is getting taken to a shop somewhere, but I kind of want to find out what this will cost me/ if I'm getting taken in.
Any ideas?
The car has lights, not dim or anything, so the battery is not bad, also it is a relatively new battery.
When the key is turned the engine makes a click noise like it is going to crank, but does not.
When she held the key for longer a big puff of white smoke came out from under the engine. It smelled like burning electronics. ( googling suggests a "fusable link", but I don't really know what that means). Basically it is getting taken to a shop somewhere, but I kind of want to find out what this will cost me/ if I'm getting taken in.
Any ideas?
and I wonder about my neighbors even though I don't have them
but they're listening to every word I say
but they're listening to every word I say
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Check out the fuses/electronics under the hood and see if they've got any burns though just to make sure?
Nah its not the electronics. It just makes an electronic smell. So it is probably a wire burning up.
If coolant was leaking from the head gasket it would still start, which it does not.
Let's see... who's a mechanic here?
@chrishallett83 is I think. Help me mechanics! You're my only hope.
but they're listening to every word I say
Yes it makes that click like it is going to crank, but then does not.
Would the starter smoke like that if it died? Big puff of white smoke.
but they're listening to every word I say
Any electronics that get too hot and fry can smoke, but it's usually not a huge plume... Though that's directly related to the amount of wiring involved. Starters have a considerable amount of windings, like any motor would.
EDIT: What engine size is on the car? I can check a labor guide for you.
I think it is a standard 3.4 v6.
It sounds like the lady's dad has time to pick it up today, so his mechanic friends are going to fix it for free. It will probably only cost us parts.
Yes, a plume of smoke is more accurate. Whoosh, smoke the size of a bed pillow. Then it stops as right after the key is turned back. Sounds like I'm just looking at a bad starter then?
but they're listening to every word I say
That's great you have some friends who are willing to look after it, though they don't look too bad (depending on the guide used, I'm seeing between 0.8 and 1.1 hrs to complete the repairs).
Lmao, that's a great size description, did the smoke seem to come from either side of the engine, or more front to back? Might tell us a location of whatever burnt.
I'm still guessing a starter.
It's a sideways engine (side mounted?) it appeared like the smoke came from underneath.
I thought the starter was on top but now my googling suggests that it is underneath. I guess what the hell part was I tapping yesterday to try and get it to go?
The alternator.
What a dummy. Oopsie.
but they're listening to every word I say
All I was getting at was if the smoke came out of, say, the passenger side of the hood, it may be less likely to be the starter because I BELIEVE these starters are driver's side, and toward the front of the car for mounting. Currently searching for a location guide to tell me if I'm right or not. Doesn't really matter though, since you're getting looked after anyway and people with eyes on the problem will always have the advantage over me.
Sure, I'm doing this thread as more of a personal learning experience.
And I already learned something. And that is even though the alternator looks like an electric motor it is not the same as a starter.
Most car knowledge for me is totally conceptual, so it is good to actually be able to apply that knowledge to physical objects. Conceptually I understand the various principles of how a car works. But damned if I know how it goes in real life.
I wear a tie every day, lets put it that way.
but they're listening to every word I say
Take the first three, get the fourth
Take the last three, get the first
215 dollars.
Thanks for the input internet friends.
but they're listening to every word I say