What does it mean when your car doesnt want to start?

Question

today, my car was acting wierd. first i turned it on and it took a slight hesitation. I put gas, and went to run some erands. after i turned it back on, it had a bigger hesitation, which had me thinking something was wrong. I came home, parked it, and when i wanted to use it again, it wont start anymore again. the lights turn on, but the engine doesnt sound. When i turn the key on the ignition, all the lights go off, as if its using too much power, you can hear the click, but no engine. and all the lights become very weak. Now it wont turn on completely. What can this be?

Joe · Accepted Answer

It takes approximately 9.5 volts to start a car.  If you hear a clicking sound, your battery is not putting out enough voltage.  Your radio, headlights, etc., will all work, so you will think that your problem is your starter.  NOT SO.  Either you have a weak battery which need charging, or the most likely culprit are your battery cables.  Most people will look at their cables and if they LOOK clean, and don't see any white corrosion build up on the terminals, they believe the battery terminals are making a good contact.  Once again - NOT SO.  Those terminals and cables are lead.  Lead is a shiny metal.  Scrap the top of a battery terminal and it will shine.  That darkness on the terminal you scraped off is also present between you battery terminal and cable, and will prevent a good contact.  All it needs is to cause a drop in voltage to your starter and you will hear a clicking sound from the starter.
Get a good battery terminal and cable cleaner at your auto parts store.  The type with the wires inside that will really make those terminals and cables shine.  Once you have cleaned them, your battery will put out max voltage.  If you still hear the clicking sound, take your battery to an auto parts store and they will check it.  It may not be holding a charge or you may have a dead cell.  However, DO NOT try and clean your battery terminals with Baking Soda or Coca Cola.  I've worked on cars for over 55 years and all that does is clean the OUTSIDE of the terminals - NOT the connection between the cable and terminal.
So many people run out and buy a new starter or battery when it is really the connection itself.

Robert M · Answer

YOu are not telling the TYPE of car this is. Remove the battery and have it trikle charged. Get car started up. GO to Auto ZOne for a free charging system test. Go to carwash first and power wash your battery, cables  at BOTH ends to restore connections that MIGHT be corroded GOOD LUCK!!

mailbox1024 · Answer

battery is either defective or shorted out, possible bad alternator can cause this. Best to take the car to a reliable repair shop for a complete electrical test. bette to pinpoint the problem there instaed of you buying wrong part and breaking down again later.
gl.......

Edgar · Answer

Most likely the alternator the baterry only carries charge to start the car once its the alternator produces the electricity to keep everything on, when u have a bad alternator it drains the juice out of ur battery so wat i would is take the battery to autozone to have it checked and charged they do ths for free, beats buying a new one.

? · Answer

1

Steve O · Answer

charge your battery over night if it works and you come home and it wont start agin its definitely the alternator

Jacque C · Answer

battery is dead. put in a new one and take it to a shop. you may have a bad alternator.

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What does it mean when your car doesnt want to start?

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