154k maxima cant start!! turn key, and it clicks! nothing else

[s13gebala]

Its cold in chicago, around 30deg. and my car is acting funny.

IT wont start, just clicks once.

i think i need a new starter, can anyone help?

i dont want to waste my parents money to bring the car to a shop.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Do you have a multimeter? Test your battery voltage--should be right at 12 or very close. If you don't have a multimeter you can take the battery to an auto parts store for a load test (should be free).

It's probably just the battery, especially in the cold.

[s13gebala]

thx ill try jumping it

[mrdicks95se]

try tapping.hitting the starter with a screwdriver/hammer. if that doesnt work, replace it. my starter went out at about 165k.

[s13gebala]

where is the starter located, i got a new battery but it did not fix the problem..

more info- when you try start the engine theres a noise from battery and you can hear it click

[mrdicks95se]

the starter is on the right side of the engine block down below the intake snorkel tube. you'll see a black cylinder sticking out above the transmission with some plugs in it. thats your starter.

[vape-one]

Don't forget to clean your battery terminals and make sure everything is tight! And safety first ( Wear glasses while jump starting ) A friend lost an eye when he did that very thing!!!

[s13gebala]

idk what it is i tapped starter and nothing, ceaned battrety

[vape-one]

While some one is starting it/turning the key (that's when you have hit the side of the starter) (last resort with cables on) There's a thing called a Solenoid on the side of the starter if you use some thing to touch both of the posts/screws at the same time the starter will turn *but be careful you will get shocked so use some rubber gloves or something!! If it activates the starter ya got a bad Solenoid/starter usually they come as one unit starter/Solenoid... If that still doesn't work maybe a relay !!! You really haven't gave much information on the symptoms of the problem!! Add detail ! Peace ps: no need to use jumper cables on a new battery(but im sure ya know that one lol

Modified by vape-one at 3:03 AM 11/26/2008
Modified by vape-one at 2:55 PM 11/26/2008

[MinisterofDOOM]

Solenoid.

[vape-one]

Opps!! lol

[stanyslaw]

check to make sure your starter and alt connection to positive post to battery is intact, I have a different car, but just today my car would click once while starting nothing else, I learned the positive battery wire came loose from the post. I only ended up placing the alt wire alone getting that one click, then someone noticed the starter wire was hanging off to the side and we put it back and it started right up!

[D_roc]

sounds like the starter bor, did u have problems staring befor, my starter went at 135k w/o any warning i mean it was completely busted, but yea try hitting the starter while cranking

[blackmax23]

yeah that's got starter problem written all over it. Mine went at about 130k. Those are classic signs of starter going bad.

[s13gebala]

it was the starter, had it replaced by mechanic since it was to cold to do it on the street

end thread, but now car wont start again.. this time not starter- new thread

thx for help