So last night my wife fractured her foot. I took her to the ER. My car died in the middle of two parking spots. I popped the hood and my battery terminal the negative ground was split in two. One piece still grounded to the car, the other piece still on the battery but of course a gap between both. Fixed that with a new 4 gauge ground for batteries from the local automotive store.

So today, I get into my car this morning everything is fine. I get to work and have to leave at 1PM for a meeting. This time I get into my car and turn my car on and it wont turn on. Dash lights flicker and you hear clicking. So I get out, make some calls to have my meetings covered at other offices. I then pop the hood everything appears to be fine. Get back in the car turn on the AUX power, radio, everything is fine. Okay very odd. Now im thinking its the starter as the battery is 2 years old and an alternator doesn't make that clicking noise.

I get upset, I kick my unicorn, been having issues with her lately. Then I get back in, turn the key over, nothing same BS. Then I do it again and hold it down for a while and start kicking the crap out of the gas pedal all of a sudden she roars to life. Idle for 5 minutes. Turn off car, 5 minutes later turn it on again, no issues.

Is this a starter issue? I do truly feel it is. I'm looking into replacing the starter, just ordered the part. What are your thoughts?

 

You should probably just take it a good mechanic.

 

If its a starter issue I don't see the need for a mechanic if this is easily fixable.

My thread is not weather or not I need to go to a mechanic rather it is about diagnosing the issue which appears to be a starter related issue.

 

I think it's more likely some connection/wiring issue rather than the starter itself. If the dash lights are flickering a lot, more than the usual slight dimming when cranking the engine, that would seem to me to indicate a general problem with the battery connections rather than a fault with the starter specifically, though it's certainly not a 100% positive diagnosis.

I'd double check that your new ground lead is tight at both ends; if it is, give the positive battery leads a good checking over. It stands to reason that the positive leads might be in bad shape if the negative lead next to them had corroded or whatever to the point of failure. Also check the connections to the starter motor and solenoid.

 

Thanks. I will take a look at this.

The flicker is only when I try to start the car. Gas needle shoots right up and the dash lights flicker when hearing the ticking noise. When I turn on Aux, the radio works fine, all dash lights stay on and do not flicker. (Just wanted to clarify when the flicker occurs).

Positive terminal appears to be good, no corrosion. I did hear clicking so maybe the starter is not gone cause you would not hear clicking.

I know the positive terminal is good cause I clean them more than twice a year and spray some lithium grease to coat the terminals and prohibit corrosion. No corrosion on either the terminals.

My ground may need to be tighter. Car may have enough of a ground to play audio but possibly not start? I did change the negative terminal yesterday at 10PM in a cold dark parking lot. Could possibly not have tightened the ground enough, but this morning my car started no issues.

 

If there is clicking doesn't that normally mean the starter is working? It may be a fuel or spark issue.

 

Thats kinda what I thought as well.

Spark plugs were changed a few months ago with OEM plugs.

I did have to pump the gas once or twice to get it going. I hope its not the fuel pump? That is expensive to replace.

 

Clicking usually means that the voltage at the starter is low or the connection is intermittent; you're hearing the solenoid engaging and disengaging. Often a weak/discharged battery is the cause, but that is obviously not the case here since sometimes it works wonderfully and sometimes it doesn't. Discharged batteries, unlike characters in some video games, don't magically regain health while sitting for a few moments.

Fuel, spark plugs, injectors, etc. generally result in the engine cranking but not firing (or firing but quickly sputtering and dying).

 

That's a good point, it's probable not the fuel or spark. So it is pointing at the battery, starter or one of the connections.

 

The battery is about 2 years old. I don't run any crazy things on my car no system nothing. So I don't see the battery being the culprit. I am leaning towards the starter. Not looking forward to jacking up the car and removing a splash shield.

I did replace a negative battery terminal yesterday. The ground was a little loose on the body. I think that may have been it. I'll keep you guys posted. Seems to be fine now. Left work no issues when I left. I'll be replacing the starter in the next two weeks if this issue still persists. Could be signs the starter is going?

 

I doubt if the starter is your problem. They usually work or don't not intermittent. If problem persists have a mechanic check it out before wasting money on a starter.

I think you may have solved the problem with the repair of loose terminal.

 

I too vote that the terminal is the root cause of your issue.

 

Thanks for all the valuable input guys. I resolved the issue. Today at court my car died again. I asked buddy to give me a boost there was no power at all no sound of a starter. So the boost didn't work. I the checked my negative ground it was secure but not tight enough. Gave it two cranks of the ratchet I carry and boom car fired up. Glad I did not go to a mechanic. It was a simply ground issue. The new wire I bought had a bigger hole for when it bolts to the car. I used the same bolt and washer. I need a bigger washer. Can't go bigger bolt as it will not fit into the whole to screw into on the body of the Fit.

Issue resolved. Moral of my long story, it was a ground issue. Need a bigger washer to totally secure the ground to the body of the car so the contact is proper.

 

Mine did something very similar. It ended up being a faulty battery. Voltage read 12.9v with key on acc position, when cranked to start it was reading like 3v. All the lights would flicker and a lot of clicking noises.