Car won't start... clicking noise
 

OK guys,

I've been driving my car fine the last few months with no sign of having a start up issue. I had gone on vacation for about a week and when I return to start up my car, no start. I hear a clicking noise when I do turn over and that's about it. Jumping the car w/ battery cables wouldn't help either. It seems I am able to push my windows up and down but it seemed real weak opening and closing the window. I know I have a low battery voltage to begin with and I had just recently rebuilt my Alternator. Any ideas?

your battery is dead. maybe you left something on. the same thing just happend to me in my work van. someone must have opened my glove box and didnt close it. i had to buy a new battery.

Put another battery in it. Using a multimeter, the battery voltage should be about 12.0 to 12.6 Volts. Start the car and check voltage again with a multimeter while the engine is running. I don't have the factory service manual in front of me, but I believe the voltage should 13.8 to 14.5 with the engine running at 3000 RPMs. Someone else will have to verify the specific numbers, but if the voltages is still in the 12v range with the engine running, then the alternator is not charging the battery. This will cause the battery to discharge as your car is running and you car eventually won't start.

Will give that a try. Hopefully it works.

Ok. I went out to jump the last night and was successful enough to start the car. I let it run for an hour or so and even drove it around the neighborhood. Then I came back, parked and turn off the car. Tried to restart, same thing no success. When I turn the car to the on position all the idiot lights come on & windows work but won't turn over. Could this be my alternator?

it's probly your battery. try this; charge your battery and start your car, then take the negative terminal off, if it still runs then your alternator is good. but if it doesn't run then it's bad. and the battery is to blame. good luck.

trying replacing your batt terminals after a while the will corrode and not allow voltage to pass thru them. Your starter require nearly all the voltage your battery has, if your voltage drop is too high (anything over 5 millivolts) you wont start and jumping wont help.

sorry not 5 millivolts i meant to say anything over .5 voltage drop and your car wont start

Ok. I did as you say by taking off the Negative once I jump started and turns out the car is still running. I will replace my battery and see how that goes.

Ok, got a new battery and the car started right up and running well. Thank you guys for you help.

Glad it worked out for ya. your welcome anytime.