starting problem...

I have a problem with my 2002 GP 3.1 . When I go from run to start all I here is a loud click from the starter solinoid and then the battery tends to vent a bit(white steam...not good) and then for about 30 seconds or so the interior lights are dim and then back to normal but will not crank. At first it only did it when it was hot and now after i put in a new starter it does it all the time. right now I am working on checking for a bad wire that may be shorting out but nothing so far. any ideals in this would be greatly appreciated. also could i just safely bypass the start circuitry with a push button start or not.:banghead:

Sound like the starter is shorted and causing a huge amount of current draw from the battery? But having the white smoke come out of the battery is not good at all.

Sound like the starter is shorted and causing a huge amount of current draw from the battery? But having the white smoke come out of the battery is not good at all. I just put a new start that was tested and good allthough when starter is disconnected and I go to start on ignition it does not start. and can move flywheel with screwdriver so engine does not seam to be seized up..

have you had the batery tested? it sounds like a dead shorted battery to me. No matter how bad a starter is, it would not cause venting from the battery.

have you had the batery tested? it sounds like a dead shorted battery to me. No matter how bad a starter is, it would not cause venting from the battery. about 2 weeks ago I took the battery to autozone and had it load tested and they said it was good and it does read about 12.6 volt when not running. and about 14.5 when running. I have a new tested starter. At times it was starting when cold with the old starter but since i changed it wont crank at all. Also I can hear the fuel pump run for a few seconds before startup like supposed to.

Rich meant load tested. If all those losers did on your battery was come out with a multi-meter and check its voltage, then hell, I have a who shed full of "good" batteries too.

Whatever happened, or whatever is going on, I would junk that battery. If its smoking, its shot.

Will your car start with a jump start?

Rich meant load tested. If all those losers did on your battery was come out with a multi-meter and check its voltage, then hell, I have a who shed full of "good" batteries too.

Whatever happened, or whatever is going on, I would junk that battery. If its smoking, its shot.

Will your car start with a jump start?

:runaround:hey all, just a update you were right the idiot at autobone did not know what he was doing I checked ever wire in engine harness and both fuse boxes and being an Aviation Electrician for the Navy, everthing pointed back to the battery but early on I cancelled that ideal out by his judgement saying it was good. So today I went and just got a battery from wally mart and behold...Its Alive!!! and running strong, although to cover all my bases I will take my alternator somewhere else to be tested just to have piece of mind that it is working as it should and all internal circuitry is good to go... Thanks for all your help!!

Thanks for the feedback, glad you got her fixed.

Chalk up another demerit to the Zoned parts monkeys!

I would for go that 5.00 core charge on the old battery in favor of just ditching it in front of autozone after they close with a not that says something to the effect of. "here, have a "good" battery!"

Idiots!

Thanks for letting us know what it was.