Probably a starter issue

[MoldyOldy240]

All right, so I did a little searching (no too extensive) but didn't come up with my problem. I'm pretty sure its the starter, but I'd thought I'd run it by here.

Went to the store, jumped in my car to go home, but when I turned my key the car slowly turned over. When I got home, I had my buddy and I check the battery voltage (12 volts running fine). When I tried to start it this time the car would slowly click, but wouldn't start. The battery maintained 12 volts. So it leaves me to believe its the start. Is there anything else I can do to narrow it down, or am I pretty much looking at it to be the starter?Thanks for the help~Nick

[JeromeS13]

First of all, 12volts while running is NOT fine. If that's not what you meant, then please clarify and be more specific. Check all of your connection and make sure that there is no corrosion. And, I'd go somewhere and have the battery, alternator, and starter checked on the car. To determine if its a bad starter, someone needs to put an amp meter on the car while cranking. Unless you want to go through the trouble of removing it and carrying it into a place...

[vancouverbc]

If it was the starter , it would not turn over. Its getting power , so it is likely a weak battery or alternator. clean the battery and tighten cables if needed.

[MoldyOldy240]

To Clarify: The battery itself gave 12 volts with the car NOT running. The car wouldn't start when I tried tonight, but the accesories (lights, radio, high beams) would work. Of course they dimmed/ shut off as I tried to start the actual car, and a faint slow ticking could be heard. In the morning I am going to clean the battery connections, but I can't get it anywhere to check the alt because well... it can't move. I'll most likely be back on here tommorrow banging my head against the keyboard

[MoldyOldy240]

Just cleaned my terminals, no luck, the car won't even click which leads me to believe it may be a relay. Waiting for my more knowledgable room mate to wake up so he and I can take a crack at it... cause I need to get this thing running by 8:00 pm.

[vancouverbc]

Jump start it . This will tell you if it is the battery. Bad starters are easy to diagnose. You just hit them with a wrench or whatever and they will start working. slow ticking suggests weak battery. unlikely to be a relay.

measuring 12 volts on battery when it has no demands on it is not a test.

[vancouverbc]

How to test battery

http://www.uuhome.de/william.d...spect

[JeromeS13]

A "bad" starter isn't always hit or miss. Sometimes, they'll continue to turn over and draw some major amperage from the battery. That could give someone the impression that their battery is weak, because it will turn over slowly. So, its not always THAT easy to diagnose a bad starter on the car.