Won't Start

[SubaSteevo]

Drove home from work (about 2 miles), parked the car, went back out 15 mins later to go to dinner, turn the key and nothing. There's a slight click that comes from the right rear of the engine (passenger side), and a sound that sounds like air or water running through a hose but the engine won't crank. Any ideas?

[n00b on demand]

try going back out there and starting the car again and see what happens. Its happened to me before too. I know its a long walk but do it

[Earthworm]

The noise will be your starter solenoid clicking...probably because it's not getting enough power.

It's either a wiring issue or your battery is dead. If it's a wiring thing then if you keep clicking it should eventually start. It worked for me but then I put in a relay to channel power directly from the battery to the solenoid.

[SubaSteevo]

Originally posted by Earthworm
The noise will be your starter solenoid clicking...probably because it's not getting enough power.

It's either a wiring issue or your battery is dead. If it's a wiring thing then if you keep clicking it should eventually start. It worked for me but then I put in a relay to channel power directly from the battery to the solenoid.

EDIT: IT'S ALIVE! I just saved it from being towed, and it started right up! Proof that my car gets jealous (my gf and I were going to test drive cars for her tonight)

[SubaSteevo]

It's dead again

Guess I'll go mess around with the starter tomorrow.

[NikFu S.]

That's exactly what happened after mine had been sitting at the body shop. They took half an hour getting it out, and I figured out why later on.
I stopped at the wash, killed the engine, tried to start it up it just went clickclickclickclick. Made a call, got a jump, bam it started. Ran across town a few times. Drove for like an hour. Got home, killed it, let it sit a minute, started right back up no problem from then on.

I have no idea why yours is doing it, though.

[TXCESSVX]

I recommend you follow EARTHWORM's suggestion and use a relay to send full battery voltage to the solenoid.

Over a period of time plug-in connections to and thru the ignition circuit can become corroded and cause an minor voltage drop at each connection, thereby reducing the amount of voltage prior to reaching the solenoid.
This can cause the solenoid to not receive enough voltage to actuate well enough to make the internal connection that is necessary to run the starter motor. This will be apparent with a weak clicking or no clicking of the solenoid. The Relay install will ensure full Battery voltage at the solenoid.

Also the solenoid internal connection contacts for the starter motor may be worn down enough to not always make a good connection. (The solenoid will throw the drive gear forward but not rotate)

This happenned to my starter recently. I was able to build up the worn areas with solder and that took care of the problem.

I hope I explained that clearly enough to be of some help.

TXCESSVX

[SubaSteevo]

Originally posted by TXCESSVX

Also the solenoid internal connection contacts for the starter motor may be worn down enough to not always make a good connection. (The solenoid will throw the drive gear forward but not rotate)

That's what I plan on checking today. Thanks

[Earthworm]

You could always use the "screwdriver technique" to start it

[SubaSteevo]

Originally posted by Earthworm
You could always use the "screwdriver technique" to start it

With the way my luck has been this past week, I'd probably kill myself

On the way to Pep Boys to get a relay, have already cleaned of the connectors on the starter, next step is to check out the solenoid and install the relay. Hopefully it'll start, I've got tickets to motorcyle/atv ice racing tonight and of my 3 friends going, I'm the only one who even has a car.