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Car clicks once but doesn't start?
It is a 1994 Cadillac Eldorado 4.6L Northstar 32 valve. It happens without any notice or indication. I go to start the darn thing and it just clicks once. Also, the radio and lights (exterior and interior) all go off for as long as I hold the key to the start position but the heads up display stays on... The battery is fine and I'm sure the starter is because it does this just every once in a while. It has these fits of not starting and I'm stuck for up to a few days and I'm afraid it just won't start one day. The Temperature can be hot or cold, it doesn't matter. Rain or shine. Snow or sleet. Fog or no frost. You probably got the point now. Anyway, I need help!! Thank you VERY much!
10 Answers
- Anonymous1 decade agoFavorite Answer
My vote's on start. solenoid. NOT alt, a bad alt would make the batt go down in time, but that is not what you are describing. I also like the suggestions to check carefully all connectons, esp the one to the engine ground that most people forget about. Do visit a parts store and have them check the Batt AND Alt, while in the car...it takes about 10 min, and they might grumble, but Advance, A-Zone , PBoys, most of the majors will do it. That'll eliminate the batt and the alt., I bet.
- keithhernadezLv 41 decade ago
if it just clicks once its the battery or starter...jump the car and take it to an advance auto and have them check your battery for free...they can also check the starter and alternator so you can actually find out your problem...the starters sometimes have a funny way of starting 1 day and going out the next...also how can you know if the starter is good when in the northstar engines they are under the intake manifold?.
- JohnnyLv 41 decade ago
Check for corrosion near the positive terminal on the battery. It will cause a loss of current to the starter. The positive battery cable will need to be changed.
Source(s): Good Luck...2003 Impala did the same thing, the socket in the battery (AC Delco) corroded away after 4 years. - 5 years ago
If the starter was working, and the lights don't dim when you turn the key (a sure sign of the starter not taking current) then Dave C must be right, you need to clean the battery connectors and make sure they are properly fitted and tightened.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
Starter solenoid sound like it is out.
You will have to research your vehicle specs to see where it is at and how to replace it.
By the way no ones lights and radio work when the key is in the start position.
- 1 decade ago
Check to see if you are getting full 12 volts to the starter when you try to start it. If you are it's the starter, if not it is probably a bad connection. Check your cable ends for corrosion and clean them including your ground connections. When it does this you could try to jump the solinoid , if it then starts replace the solinoid.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
MAKE SURE THE BATTERY LEADS ARE TIGHT.HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH A STS AND IT WAS THAT SIMPLE.SIDE POST BATTERY'S ARE A PAIN IN THE NECK BUT THAT'S ALL IT WAS.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
alternator.
