Just got back from family's from Christmas. Was out for about 4 or 5 days. Hopped in my car to start it up, popped the key, went to crank it and all I get is CLICK- everything shuts off immediately when trying to crank, release and everything immediately comes back on. Battery seems to be fine as dash lights, radio, and headlights work fine...

I would also like to note the following. I had my wiper switch fixed not too long ago- 2 days after which my dash clock went out, and also I got no power from my cigarette outlet. Bout 4 or 5 days after that... lost power to my right headlight motor- have to pull it up manually... headlight still works, and still drops down when I shut it off, but won't come all the way up on it's own.

Any idea where to begin? It's a 1991 Convertible btw.

Thanks in advance.

 

I would definitely hook it up to a jump box, or a battery charger and rule out the battery... I've been fooled before.

 

Hooked up to a charger now. Tried switching it to jump for a shot, but it didn't make a hint of difference. It seems like something is engaging and preventing it from cranking... or maybe the starter is just dead? Got a new one not too long ago. It doesn't even seem like it's TRYING to crank, just CLICK nothin! Sucks...

 

I've had that problem before. Let the battery charge for an hour. It takes a lot of volts to crank, yet a 'dead' battery may have enough juice for the dash lights and whatnot. I believe anything below 11 volts, it won't crank.

If you wanna try the starter at that point, get under there and whack it with a hammer firmly..don't kill it...about six times. Then try to start it. If it cranks, then your starter is bad.

 

charge your battery and check it with a voltmeter to make sure it has a full charge then try...if its not that it could be the starter solenoid then... its the little thing mounted to the side of the starter try tappn on it with the handle of a screwdriver and see if that helps

 

Ahhhh okay. Thanks for the advice- I think you're right... volts. But I'd be able to jump it no? Just curious, might give it a shot. Also, any idea what couldn've drained the battery so? I had just driven from Cinci and put it in the garage, seems odd that it'd get so low. Any ideas?

 

the starter may not be bad it could also be a dead battery that doest hold a charge like it should

12volt or a little higher is a full charge if your battery is reads 11.5 volts or lower on a full charge its getn tired


some times when they get older the corrosion inside the battery collects and sinks to the bottom of the battery... that could also be somthing to check out

 

With my charger, thought it claims to have a 'jump' feature never has actually jumped off my car. So I let it charge for about an hour, then try and start it (With the charger still connected, in jump mode.

As for the suggestion with a volt meter or multimeter.. I forgot about that. My charger has one built in. :P

 

to see if your battery is good. charge it and wait 5 minutes, after the battery voltage settles. check it again in a few more minutes and see if the reading drops