Car problems, Need advice / insight

X5

My car has recently been have problems starting. At first I thought it was only happening when it was really cold. 2 weeks ago it happened again, I popped the hood, remove the battery cables, and cleaned the and the battery terminals, and it started up fine.

Jump to today, it won't start when I get ready to leave for work at 7am. I Go check it out on my lunch break with a co worker to see if it might start then. It is really cold out, no starting, He busts out his jumper cable, and we try to jump the car. Nada

When I turn the key I hear a spinning/light grinding sound, My cd player turns on as do the dash lights, and i can turn the headlights on as well. So it appears to me, at least, to not be a battery related issue. We then left the jumper cables connected to my terminals and touch the other two terminating ends together to test that the battery did indeed have a charge left, it sparked gloriously.

I need the insight of the automobile savvy. Does this sound like my starter needs to be replaced? Thoughts?

Dr_Keenbean

X5 wrote:

My car has recently been have problems starting. At first I thought it was when it only happened when it was really cold. 2 weeks ago it happened again, i popped the hood, remove the battery cables, and cleaned the and the battery terminals, and it started up fine.

Jump to today, it won't start when i get ready to leave for work at 7am. I Go check it out on my lunch break with a co worker to see if it might start then. It is really cold out, no starting, He busts out his jumper cable, and we try to jump the car. Nada

When i turn the key i hear a spinning/light grinding sound, My cd player turns on as do the dash lights, and i can turn the headlights on as well. So it appears to me, at least, to not be a battery related issue. We then left the jumper cables connected to my terminals and touch the other two terminating ends together to test that the battery did indeed have a charge left, it sparked gloriously.

I need the insight of the automobile savvy. Does this sound like my started needs to be replaced? Thoughts?

I'm not automobile savvy, but my guess is starter.

zenon

How old is your battery? Cold weather usually expediates any issues with batterys, so it may just have enough juice to power some of your accessories but not turn enough to get your car started.

Aurin

If the jump start isn't helping it any, it's probably the starter. But, it's always best to go cheapest first, and if the battery is old, replace it to see what the car does next.

stigweard

The whirring noise is definitely the starter. Sometimes the little arm doesn't extend all the way and the teeth can't hit to turn the larger gear (I can't think well right now), so you just hear a high pitch whir. If the bushings were shot or it was on a dead spot, you'd hear clicking when you tried to start it. You could try warming up the started with a dryer, but chances are you'll need to get it rebuilt. It isn't expensive if you can get the starter off yourself.

a penguin

Sounds Starter- ish.

You can get the battery tested for free at just about anywhere that sells car batteries, just to rule that out. I'd do that before you throw any parts at it.

Ruckus

It's almost certainly the starter, we used to have the exact same problem with a tractor back home. Normally when you turn the key, the starter gear spins and pushes forward onto a gear on the engine shaft, turning it over. When the engine starts, it spins faster than the starter motor can, pushing the gears apart (and if you're smart, you've moved the key back to the 'run' position by now).

What sometimes happens is the starter gear gets stuck and won't push forward onto the engine properly. On the tractor we used to just use a five foot prybar and tap the backend of the starter, knocking the gear loose, but that won't work on a car (too hard to get an angle on the starter).

You most likely need to pull the starter out and get it rebuilt or get a new/rebuilt starter altogether.

Fellhand

Sounds like the starter, however, it could be that your battery just isn't holding charge. I had to replace mine last month because of that.

Ruckus

Also a major tell for dead battery is that instead of any spinning sound you here a clickclickclickclickclickclick sound, which is the Solenoid trying to move without enough power.

MichaelLC

One suggestion; turn off all that stuff (CD, radio, lights) before trying to start it again; just adds to the load.

Gennerally, you should turn off everything before shutting off the car.

X5

Well, the replies point to what my co-workers (themselves know abit about cars) suggested as well. I will be testing the battery and if all is well we will be replacing the starter this afternoon.

Thanks for the imparting your wisdom on the intarwebz guys

Cimmerii

Sounds like the starter, but if the noise is anything like the one my car made, there is a good chance its the alternator.

good luck.

stupid vehicles.