A few days ago, my car wouldn't start after I came out of the bank. The car seemed to just begin to start but stopped. I tried many times to start it but it wouldn't crank up. The sound while trying to start the car was normal. I got my brother to jump start the car and it started right up.

My battery was new from may so I replaced the alternator since it was still the original. things were fine for the day until that night when my car did the same thing. I tried rolling the car down the hill that it was on and releasing the clutch but the car wouldn't start that way either. After waiting a few minutes, I tried to start the car and it started right up but imediatly shut off. I got another jump and it worked fine again. This morning it cranked right up again. I checked connections and fuses and I don't see a problem.

What is going on here? I am stumped.

 

What modifications do you have, make your sig a bit more specific. Certain headers can cause your starter solenoid to stick.

-Dustin-

 

Yeah, sorry, I changed my sig and forgot that none of the mods are listed.

Basically, I have every bolt-on, including Edlebrock mid-length headers. No cam, or heads. Could it be the starter if the start-up noise is the same as it normally is when everything is working perfectly?

 

had similar problem with mine and it was the passkey. took it out wiped it down and waited a few mins. it started right up. has happend a couple times. but the security light was on also.

 

Today, I noticed a fluctuation in the volt gauge in the car while I was driving and idleing. I also noticed a constant flickering of the gauge lights (small, but still noticeable). That must be a clue to what might be wrong but I just don't know what.

 

You either have a bad connection preventing the battery from charging properly and preventing enough current coming out of the battery or the starter is shot. There is the odd problem with the ignition switch from time to time. I see that problem with people that have a big wad of keys. It wrecks the switch.

Start by checking the voltage across the battery when someone cranks it over. If it drops below 11 volts there is a problem but at this point you don't know what just yet.

After the engine is running, check the voltage across the battery and it should be around 14 volts.

Next check all the connections between the battery and the engine including the ground strap from the frame to the engine. Don't just put your hand on them to see if they are tight. Remove them and clean both the terminals and the mounting point.

If all the above has proven to be good, the last item would be the starter. If you choose to, you can test it by jumping 12 volts directly to it with jumper cables. This eliminates the wiring as a possible cause and rules the starter in or out. While you test it on ramps, be sure to pull the injector fuses so the engine doesn't start. It's better than pulling the coil wire and still squirting fuel into the cylinders which is bad.