Dead car...

[ketostix]

There is not uncommon to buy defective batteries. It is not uncommon to have all the lights working and the battery needing a jump start.

Also, if it is cold in Colorado and he happens to buy a battery that is not designed for that weather...he will have problems starting the vehicle. If he accidentally left one of the inside lights on...he will also have problems starting the vehicle (even if the outside lights come on bright).

It is the EASIEST thing to check. He lose nothing by trying to jump start. If it does not work...then he can check the connections (make sure they are tight) and move to starter.

Right, he can jump the battery but when your lights work fine then there's sufficent battery voltage for the starter to at least turn over the engine and if the starter is just clicking most of the time it's the starter. Of course you want to check the battery or at least jump it before changing the starter but from the information he provided it sounds like it's a bad starter.

 

[penkitten]

I was the first to say it was the starter.

I deserve some rep.

...it's not the battery!

right because if it was the battery , the lights wouldnt come on
and it only takes about 30-40 min to replace.

we listen to cartalk on npr on weekends.

 

[MooseGod]

I don't know if it's been said already, but have you checked your battery terminals? The ones on my Jeep get corroded really quickly for some reason and I occasionally get the dreaded clicking. Fixed easily enough with some battery cleaner.

Or what everybody else said, the starter solenoid. Kinda sucks that a lot of newer vehicles have them piggybacked to the starter so you have to replace the whole damn thing though.

 

[slitherjef]

I looked into things a bit and getting the starter changed will be a b!tch... the air conditioner needs to be drained and since it has CFCs it cannot be done unless its by a tech so that adds to the cost of the 100 dollar starter.

Then towing fees and other crap :cuss:

 

[slitherjef]

The terminals look good. I have a jump start pack that I could use to jump this piece of junk... or see if one of the neighbors could try to jump it.

 

[iqqi]

Are you doing the repairs yourself?

I found my neighborhood mechanic through Craigslist. I literally save $100's everytime I need something done. I love him!

 

[slitherjef]

Are you doing the repairs yourself?

I found my neighborhood mechanic through Craigslist. I literally save $100's everytime I need something done. I love him!

Would be if I did not have to deal with the CFC's in the air conditioner that needs to be discharged:

(the 3.3L engine down near the bottom)
http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiB..._us/0900823d/80/0e/fd/27/0900823d800efd27.jsp

:nervous:

Looks like a PITA to me

 

[ketostix]

I looked into things a bit and getting the starter changed will be a b!tch... the air conditioner needs to be drained and since it has CFCs it cannot be done unless its by a tech so that adds to the cost of the 100 dollar starter.

Then towing fees and other crap :cuss:

Are you sure? You can maybe unbolt the A/C compressor and leave the lines attached to just move it enough out the way to get the starter in and out. I don't know what you got there but I'm assuming a 3.1 V6. I know it's probably all a tight fit and it's going to be a ***** to replace either way. Does the AC even work? You can unhook the lines, people do this all the time it's an imperfect world. Then you can hook the lines back up and have it charged later. Or you can charge it yourself. You can use the new r-134a in an old r-12 system with a inexpensive kit designed for filling an old system and charge it yourself.

 

[ketostix]

Would be if I did not have to deal with the CFC's in the air conditioner that needs to be discharged:

(the 3.3L engine down near the bottom)
http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiB..._us/0900823d/80/0e/fd/27/0900823d800efd27.jsp

:nervous:

Looks like a PITA to me

OK I see what is going on. You have to unbolt the AC hose coupling at the AC compressor to get clearance but you don't have to actually remove the compressor. Unhooking the the lines coupling isn't hard to do. I'm not going to tell you to let freon escape but does this AC even have a charge? I'm not sure if it's that big of a deal for you to unhook the lines yourself without recovering the freon and I'm not saying it isn't a big deal either. IMO too much is made about it.

 

[slitherjef]

Sorry, forgot to answer the question about the AC... it does work.

We do have alot of animals around the area, so having freon or that crap spill, well, I would rather not have to deal with that. If I can get the damn thing to a shop I have no problem with that, but it will likly be a temp. fix

I will try to shoot a photo or two of the engine and post them in the morning so you can (hopefully) get an idea of what is where.

Friday we are going to try to get to a used car lot and see what we can come up with (I want a truck anyway). We will likly be turned away but I got to figure out something... it cost me 12bucks to get home from work tonight! and 1.75 to get there. I would have walked but the weather was cold and was raining.

option
a) Try to get a new used car/truck
b) Try to get the buick fixed and get a bike as a back up
c) Get a bike and bus pass to get to and from work

 

[ketostix]

OK but the freon will be a gas vapor at atmosperic pressue (when the AC is off) when you un hook it. It's not really that toxic it just evaporates into the open atomosphere. It's just some people believe that the old freon contibuted more to global warming when released into the air than the newer freon.

You might want someone who knows how to work cars look at it and confrim it's the starter and maybe fix for you. I'm thinking the car might not be worth towing to a shop and having it done there. Although it might be, I don't know what kind of condition it is in. But someone that knows what they're doing might be willing to change the starter for say $25 -$50 plus the part and then you might be able to later get the AC recgarged for a little under $100, so you might be looking at around $200 on the low end to have someone do it.

 

[iqqi]

My car had been seeming like it is going to stall out when I come to an idle stop. It was starting rough as well, but I just had a tune up and that went away. But when I come to a light, and stop, sometimes the idle dips so low it seems like it is going to die, but then it catches itself. Do you think it is a sensor, or the timing is off?

It is great having a resident sosuave mechanic.

 

[slitherjef]

OK but the freon will be a gas vapor at atmosperic pressue (when the AC is off) when you un hook it. It's not really that toxic it just evaporates into the open atomosphere. It's just some people believe that the old freon contibuted more to global warming when released into the air than the newer freon.

You might want someone who knows how to work cars look at it and confrim it's the starter and maybe fix for you. I'm thinking the car might not be worth towing to a shop and having it done there. Although it might be, I don't know what kind of condition it is in. But someone that knows what they're doing might be willing to change the starter for say $25 -$50 plus the part and then you might be able to later get the AC recgarged for a little under $100, so you might be looking at around $200 on the low end to have someone do it.

I may be able to get some one to do it for a soda

 

[ketostix]

My car had been seeming like it is going to stall out when I come to an idle stop. It was starting rough as well, but I just had a tune up and that went away. But when I come to a light, and stop, sometimes the idle dips so low it seems like it is going to die, but then it catches itself. Do you think it is a sensor, or the timing is off?

It is great having a resident sosuave mechanic.

This could be a few things. What kind of car is it, what kind of transmission? Could be a sticky Idle air control valve, or the lockup torque converter not releasing soon enough. Are you driving at speed and slamming on your brakes like most female drivers? Not that should cause it to stall.

I may be able to get some one to do it for a soda

That's how you do it.

 

[Latinoman]

Jump the car. It might fix the problem.

My girlfriend lights in her car worked 100%. But the battery was still the problem. I had to jumped it and it now works fine.

 

[Latinoman]

All I am saying is that towing a car without FIRST trying to jump start the battery is pretty stupid. Regardless if the lights are working. Voltage might be find...but batteries are not just about voltage.

 

[logic1]

Latinoman is correct, try jumping the car first.

A battery can have enough juice to have the lights come on(maybe a little dim) and engage the selonoid by turning the ingnition ( the clicking sound ) but not enough to budge the starter.

Eliminate this problem first, fast,easy,cheap way to eliminate one of the options.

 

[Mr.Positive]

All I am saying is that towing a car without FIRST trying to jump start the battery is pretty stupid. Regardless if the lights are working. Voltage might be find...but batteries are not just about voltage.

I agree, then try hitting that starter a few times before replacing it. Sometimes a few good smacks is all it needs to free it up, if it got stuck.

Try the easy fixes first.

 

[Latinoman]

I agree, then try hitting that starter a few times before replacing it. Sometimes a few good smacks is all it needs to free it up, if it got stuck.

Try the easy fixes first.

I totally agree with hitting the starter a few times too.

 

[ketostix]

Yeah slitherjef, would you jump charge this battery, so we can put to rest whether the battery is not charged enough. I mean anyone knows to check the battery before replacing the starter. I thought you said you had a charger and and did charge the battery. Yeah sometimes, usually not, wacking the starter if you can get hammer in there will get it to crank but that's no permenant fix.