Car won't start -- I've had it for two weeks!

[Catshrink]

It's a Honda certified pre-owned car, supposed to be checked out. But it won't start. I called AAA and the tow truck driver jumped it. It was clicking before when I tried to start so I thought it was the starter. He didn't.

Well, it won't start again. I need to be to work before the dealership opens or any rental car agency. And I have a job interview in the afternoon.

Damn damn damn! I love the car and I know they all have issues from time to time. But this is just a bad day!

[mike_c]

1. have you fed the gerbils under the hood...?

And be sure to keep the males and females separate to avoid power decline....

Humor! Gotta keep smiling! Sorry you've had a bad day-- I know the feeling, my car is going into the shop tomorrow too. Best wishes for the car and the job interview!

[Catshrink]

2. Thanks!

Good luck on your repairs, too.

Mine should be under warranty, fingers crossed!

[punpirate]

3. In the event that...

... something is not shutting off properly, and there's a current drain, run the car, make sure the battery's charged up, then shut off the car and remove the battery hot lead.

Give yourself a few extra minutes in the morning to hook it up again--and to have time to call for a jump if you need one.

That may get you through the next day or so when your schedule is tight.

Cheers.

[The Traveler]

5. That's a good suggestion

But I would also suggest having the alternator tested. A weak battery can also cause this kind of behavior. Or cruddy battery terminal connections ... use baking soda and water to clean the terminals and the battery cable connectors.

The clicking you hear is the starter solenoid ... there is enough current to engage it but not enough to spin the starter motor. So either the battery is being drained, or you have a high resistance connection, or the charging circuit is not able to charge the battery fully (either because the battery won't take the charge or because the alternator is faulty).

[punpirate]

6. Yes, I agree...

... but I was only suggesting what was necessary to get through a time when the car couldn't be taken to the shop. The shop should do the diagnosis, including alternator output.

Cheers.

[The Traveler]

15. The battery drain thing was a really good suggestion

and often overlooked by supposedly seasoned mechanics. I was just completing your thought. Methinks you are another gearhead like myself ...

[punpirate]

16. Years ago...

... I was in the business. Before the NIASE became the ASE, I was a certified general mechanic and factory-trained by Toyota.

Cheers.

[Catshrink]

7. Great!

I hope it's the alternator because that's covered. The battery isn't. My dad has a trickle charger but I can't get to it tonight. That would solve the morning problem.

Oh well... Life will go on.

[Catshrink]

9. Unfortunately I shut it off already...

otherwise I'd go for that. Sound pretty easy to do.

[Floogeldy]

4. I'm no expert, but I'd clean the battery cable connections

This is what my limited knowledge tells me.

[Catshrink]

8. They look pretty clean

This car is sparkling clean inside and out.

[Floogeldy]

14. That's the crazy thing.

Mine looked perfect, too. But they weren't. It's weird how those connections work.

[geckosfeet]

12. Honda's,,,

Yes,, clean ALL electrical connections.

Make sure belts are tight and not slipping.

Have the dealer or a shop check the charging system. Honda alternators used to be known for going bad. If its charging OK, someone should check the electrical system for a short.

Sounds like battery is not being charged. Could be a starter starting to go but if a jump gets you going that easily probably not. Battery is probably not holding enough charge to start.

Good luck. Honda's are great cars. I have a 97 Accord with 147k.

[libnnc]

10. how do the posts on the battery look?

are they really corroded (white looking goo on them)? If so, pour a little cola (anything fizzy) on them to get them clean. Dirty posts can mess up the battery's effectiveness.

libnnc
www.folkmoot.com

[Catshrink]

11. I'll try to remember that...

but right now, the car is clean inside and out. That sounds like a good quick fix.

[libnnc]

13. I had the same problem once

I freaked out and an old boy at the neighborhood Texaco opened up a can of Pepsi and poured it over the posts. Carbination neutralizes acid! Cleaned it right up and it started right away.

.50 cent fix!

[Catshrink]

17. Update: it was the battery after all.

It was three years old and that's usually a battery lifetime here in Arizona. Easy enough to take care of. Had to have an alarm reset though and I can't believe they charged me for it! Two freaking weeks I've had the car. Oh well....