HELP...starter, battery...my car won't start!!!!?

Question

I have a 97 Ford Escort and the past week I had a couple problems starting my car. It would turn over, but it took a couple tries. Then one day it just didn't do anything. I tried to start my car, but I hear no click...nothing. The headlights are at full power, I tired moving the shifter from neutral to park and back again. There is corrosion on the battery terminals, but the car worked last week with this condition. Are there any mechanics out there that can help?!?!? I have tried to start my car several times the last couple days and neither day anything has changed. Any idea what is wrong?

Answer 1

Fist of all, I’m quite sure you need a new battery.



Also, check your terminals after you clean them properly, if they are in really bad shape, or they do not clamp firmly to the battery terminals, then it would be a good idea to change them too.



However, since you mentioned that you tried jumping your car and it still did not turnover. First check if you have any blown fuses, if not, than either your starter is not receiving any power, or it is jammed.



So this simple test. Either use your dashboard lights at night, or your head lights. When turned on, try to start your car. If your dashboard and head lights fade when you turn the key, then there is current going to your starter.

Answer 2

No it means you have either a problem with your charging system or a bad battery. Running a heater, lights, and radio, the rear window defroster will use mass quantities of current. Batteries 3 years old or more are a crap shoot in extreme cold. The battery only has 1 /3 of the normal power at 70 degrees. Running all that equipment plus the cold could have ment you drained the battery. The alternator will not charge a low battery, it will allow you to use your heater fan and whatever else. You need a battery charger to recharge a low battery. So No Life is not unfair, but it sure seems that way sometimes. Have a load test done on the battery, and a test of the charging system. And probably buy a new battery.

Answer 3

It could be a few things... the first top three are:



1-battery is crap... doesn't hold a proper charge



2-alternator is crap... not charging the battery properly and not providing enough power to run the car once the battery is too dead



3- the car starter is crap, without this, the car will not start.



The easiest way to check these... is get a boost, a charged battery or a portable power pack (with boosting capacity)



If the car does start, then it's 1 or 2.



If the car starts, then dies the moment (or within moments) of removing the extra power (other battery/boosting cables, etc.) then it's probably the alternator.



If it starts and runs, but won't re-start after you stop the engine, then it's the battery.



Now, these are the usual top three guilty factors, but it could be wiring that went bad or other things.

Answer 4

corrosion is your enemy but not as tough as you. Mix up a cup of water and add 2 tablespoons of baking soda stirr it and slowly pour it over the batter posts that are corroded. its gonna start to fizz up real good cause it eats the corrosion. let it set around an hour and rinse with fresh water. use a wrench and remove the clamp holding the cable to the battery and clean the round part that was hiden by the post of the battery with some sand paper if you dont have a post cleaner tool. re-install the cable on the battery and tighten back up. do the same to the other cable and then try starting again. I'f the battery has enough charge it will start .sometimes the battery cable needs replaced because the cable where it meets the post clamp fills with that corrosion you saw on the battery and it damages the cable from within. you can recognise this by a swelling of the cables protective plastic finish neer the clamp end.

Answer 5

If the battery is low, it still can power lights and such until it runs completely down.



But if it didn't start with a boost, then it's probably not that. But note, the more you try with your battery, the more you are killing it. (as it's not recharging)



The thing that you don't mention is that if the car engine is turning over (trying to start).



If it is (including while boosting) , then the starter is working. At this point, it's possible that it's bad wires.



BUT, very possibly it might be your spark plugs.



Have you checked those?... they could be dirty or just dead. Those need to be changed on a regular basis anyways, so it just might be the time to do it anyways.



(same thing happened with my motorcycle... everything appeared fine, but it wouldn't start... changed the spark plugs and it started right away)



Good luck...

Answer 6

first times it gave you a warning to have it checked out. now you are stuck having to put a starter in your car. the corroded terminals on your battery could have been a contributing factor. time to call your favorite mechanic

Answer 7

clean your barrery terminals good and put them back on, tighten them and put some grease on the terminals. if it doest start then, try hitting the starter with something, it might be stuck or the solenoid went out. but try cleaning the terminals first, or the acid will eat the ends up.

Answer 8

simple, the battery died. Buy a new battery and try again. If not, go to a mechanic

Answer 9

corrosion on the battery terminals and corrosion INSIDE the battery cables (where you cannot see it).Clean the battery,,,CHANGE the cables.

Answer 10

TRY HAVING SOMEONE TAP THE STARTER OR YOU CAN DO IT YOURSELF.