Car Starting Issues

[mhyland]

Good Morning,

We were out of town over the Christmas holiday. After sitting for over a week, when I started my 2003 Vibe on Monday, it seemed like it needed a couple seconds to start. Seemed fine that day and Tuesday. Let it sit on Wednesday. Hopped in it today, Thursday, and again seemed to need a couple seconds. I went to one gas station, stopped the car and got out. The credit card reader was having problems and I didn't want to wait in the cashiers line, so I went to another one up the block. I filled the tank. I had to give it some gas to turn over. It drove fine. When I got to work, I put it in park and shut it off. I tried to start it after, and the lights came on but it didn't turn. Would this be just a battery problem? Or could it be something else?

Any advice is appreciated.

[ehoff121]

Welcome to genvibe!

How old is the battery? What is the temp outside when you're having problems?

When you say, "...it needed a couple seconds to start." do you mean that it took more than a second or two to crank after turning the key or that it cranked normally several times more than usual (1 - 3 cranks)?

When you turn the ignition after letting it sit, do you hear, "crank, crank, crank" or "crank, craaaaank, click, click"?

It could be a battery problem- the lights may still come on, but it doesn't have enough charge to start the engine. If you take short trips, the battery may not have enough time to fully recharge, especially if you have all the power equipment running (lights, heater, rear defroster, radio, cell phone charger in the lighter socket, etc...). Cold temps and age are also factors.

[mhyland]

Thank you for the quick response.

Honestly, I'm not sure how old the battery is. I bought it in September 2012 but haven't replaced it. So it could be quite old.

The temps are in the 30s or so and over nights have dropped into the 20s.

I only needed to turn the key once, but it seemed to have a slight delay to turn the engine. Does that make sense?

I just tried to have someone jump start it. It didn't start at all. There is no noise when I turn the key.

I did make a couple short stops this morning, turning off the engine each time. My job is only 13 miles away - so I don't drive it far that often.

Do you think it could be a starter? Ignition switch? Solenoid? And if so, are these easily done by people with mechanical skills? Any idea on cost?

Thank you again!

[ehoff121]

Other members have had starter issues that have the same turn-the-key-and-nothing symptom you are describing: viewtopic.php?f=12&t=41790&p=488560

It is replaceable by the mechanically inclined: viewtopic.php?f=17&t=36802&p=482897

A remanufactured starter should cost around $90 - 150 and the labor about an hour.

It would be a good idea to figure out the age of the battery; there's usually a date code on the label. It's probably not the original Delco after 10+ years.

[lannvouivre]

Make sure the battery terminals are clean and tight (but don't over-tighten) before you look at the starter. If you still have issues after cleaning up the cable and battery terminals thoroughly, then I would test the battery, then look at the starter. Autozone and AdvanceAutoParts will test both for free. (Unless you're in CA)

[mhyland]

Yesterday, my husband came to check it out. When he was just a few blocks away, I went out and popped the hood. I also "dusted" around the battery. Just for the heck of it, I tried to start the car. It worked. Called my husband and told him. I turned it off and turned it on again and kept it running. He still came and cleaned the cables, etc on the battery.

When I left work, it took some effort to start again. But the temps were dropping and I assumed it was just a battery issue. At least I got it home.

This morning after waking up to lots of snow and temps in the teens with windchills, I dug out and tried to start the car. No luck. So we went up the road to Advanced Auto and got a new battery. It was needed anyway, since the current battery is dated 08/08.

New battery installed...no click no sound no nothing.

Its too cold right now to do anything, but at least it is at home and the weekend is here. We will look at further issues in the morning. My husband mentioned an ignition coil. I'll post more of this saga.

Once again, thank you for your information. I bought the car in 09/12 with 85K and was hoping to get about 5 years out of it. Not really in any financial position to get a new car.

[Salsa Guy]

You have ignitions COILS. If one of those are failing a CEL (Check Engine Light) will come on. I'd start with the battery and connections and work your way to the alternator.

[mhyland]

Hopefully it will be something easy and not so expensive. I keep googling and seeing other issues that it could be. Like the ignition switch or ignition control module. Guess we just need to work back from the battery as suggested. Thank you for all the help and links.

[lannvouivre]

You have ignitions COILS. If one of those are failing a CEL (Check Engine Light) will come on. I'd start with the battery and connections and work your way to the alternator.

What about tapping the starter with a hammer?

[JohnO]

Bad starter motor contacts are a common problem that will cause the motor not to crank (engine doesn't move at all when the key is turned to "start", as opposed to turning but not starting). I assume from your description that this is what is happening. See this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgGWQ02GtEk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Bad ignition coil(s) won't cause it not to crank at all.

[Salsa Guy]

I meant Starter not alternator. Sorry OP

[triz]

Thank you for the quick response.

Honestly, I'm not sure how old the battery is. I bought it in September 2012 but haven't replaced it. So it could be quite old.

The temps are in the 30s or so and over nights have dropped into the 20s.

I only needed to turn the key once, but it seemed to have a slight delay to turn the engine. Does that make sense?

I just tried to have someone jump start it. It didn't start at all. There is no noise when I turn the key.

I did make a couple short stops this morning, turning off the engine each time. My job is only 13 miles away - so I don't drive it far that often.

Do you think it could be a starter? Ignition switch? Solenoid? And if so, are these easily done by people with mechanical skills? Any idea on cost?

Thank you again!

I'm going to go with battery on this one. It just may be time. Pull it and have it tested. It can also be your alternator on its way out. You can have them both tested at your Advance Auto.

[Water boy]

Battery and cable terminals would be my first thoughts.

As a side note, I've always done the "Big 3" no matter the vehicle.
Here is just one link I found in 0.36 seconds. There are others.
http://www.stevemeadedesigns.com/board/ ... -tutorial/

Remember, your car is designed by certified engineers. It is cost reduced by un-certified bean counters.

[Raven]

When the new battery was installed did it start at Advance Auto and then not later at home? If it would not start at Advance with the new battery, I'm leaning towards a starter or ignition issue.

The alternator is simple to test if you have a multimeter. If you can start the car, with the meter on DC volts, hook the positive on the meter to the positive post of the alternator and the negative to the negative post of the battery. You should see around 14.2 volts. Too low usually means the alternator is worn out. Too high means the voltage regulator inside is finished.

Like another poster said, sometimes tapping lightly on the starter will get it to engage. If it works replace it. Try hooking it up with booster cables and let it charge for 5 or t10 minutes, then try it. If it does not crank it must be a starter or ignition problem.

[mhyland]

Thank you for all of your advice. My friend's boyfriend is a certified mechanic and used to work on her Matrix all the time. He came over yesterday and between him and my husband, it was the starter. Put a new one in and it has started without issue.

I have learned that googling car problems is much like googling being sick. You can go from a cold to cancer in just a few keystrokes.

Thanks again!