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Old Dec 19, 2005 | 11:45 AM
  #1  
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From: Tallahassee, FL
Default dead starter?

So I went to the post office this morning, the car seemed like it had a little trouble starting, but it started fine and I made it ehre and back no problem. I went to leave again and the engine will not fire up. The starter starts to turn teh engine, but then dies and you just hear a loud clicking noise "click-click-click-click-click". Is that a bad starter? I'd like to figure out the problem before I take any action mainly because where I am right now I have no access to any tools at all.

I'm going to try and push start it now (its an M6), but the car is heavy as hell, I'm by myself and there are speed bumps in my parking lot so I'm not sure if this will work.

Thanks for any help!
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Old Dec 19, 2005 | 11:58 AM
  #2  
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First check the battery voltage. If the voltage is 12v. or more, it's probably the starter (solenoid).
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Old Dec 19, 2005 | 12:16 PM
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From: Fat Chance Hotel
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You have a low battery. It might take a charge, but more than likely the alternator is not outputting enough amps to keep it charged.
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Old Dec 19, 2005 | 05:35 PM
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From: Live Oak, FL - in the woods where the creatures lurk.
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My bet is either a bad battery or corroded terminals.
You did not state what car you have.
If you have an F body, and original battery, many
were notorious for leaking, especially around the
terminals.
My batteries barely outlasted the warranty on my
last 2 F bod cars.
If you can't crank it, take the battery to someplace
and have a load test done. A 5/16 wrench or pliers
will get the terminals off. If it checks out OK,
have it charged and crank the engine and have
someone put a voltmeter on it to make sure the
alternator is working.
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Old Dec 19, 2005 | 06:00 PM
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Thanks guys, turned out to be a weak battery. I charged it up and took a 200-mile trip across the state (with my fingers crossed) and it held chanrge the whole time with radio/ac/wipers on, so I'm fairly sure the alternator is ok and it was just the battery. I think tomorrow I'm going to get a new battery just in case, and keep this one as a backup just in case. Thanks again for the help.
-turo
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Old Dec 20, 2005 | 09:24 AM
  #6  
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From: Fat Chance Hotel
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Get the alternator checked.
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