My 96 Neon won't start

[adrianaa03]

I'm new here and I don't know much about cars but maybe someone can help me out. I have a 96 neon and it was working just fine. I stopped to put gas, went to my moms then tried to leave, but my car went dead. Radio didn't work, lights didn't work...nothing would happen when I turned the key (no sounds no nothing.) My dad replaced the battery and now the lights and radio work again but the car is still dead. it won't do anything at all when I try to start it. Does anyone have any idea what is going on? Thanks for any help!

Adriana

[joe92k1500]

Try cleaning both ends of the battery cables ( on the battery, and where they attatch to the car), and make sure they are good and tight. Also check them for damage. If the insulation is broken, they can corrode inside, then it is time to replace them. Let us know if that works.

[adrianaa03]

Thanks for the response! I will have my dad do that again. He tried to clean the battery cables, maybe he just didn't do it right...is it expensive to replace them? Also, he was thinking it could be the starter...could it?

Thanks...Adriana

[joe92k1500]

No, the cables shouldn't be expensive. After he cleans the terminals ( make sure he cleans both sides not just the ones on the battery), if the car does not start, remove the starter, and a place like autozone will bench test it for free to see if it is bad. Also, make sure to check all the fuses, inside the car and under the hood. I have a repair manual at home from my 96 neon, I'll look it over when i get home tonight and see if i am leaving anything out.

[adrianaa03]

I asked my dad about the problem maybe being the battery cables and he said he doesn't think thats the problem because the lights and radio are working but he's gonna try anyway. Could the cables need to be changed even though these two are working? Also thanks for the info on the starter. I guess it's better to get it tested than to go out and buy another without knowing if it's good or not. My dad is gonna try to work on it sometime tomorrow or Friday but I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks again...Adriana

[joe92k1500]

I looked at my repair manual for this car, and here are the recommended things to look at when the engine will not crank.

1. Battery terminals are loose aor corroded.
2. Battery is discharged or faulty
3. Automatic transmission is not completely engaged in park or clutch pedal is not fully depressed ( manual transmission only).
4. Broken Loose wires on the starter solenoid.
5. Starter motor pinion jammed in flywheel ring gear.
6. Faulty starter
7. Faulty ignition switch
8. Defective fusable link.

Some of these i know we covered, but i wanted to list everything. Also, make sure he checks the fuses for the starter and the ignition FIRST. If one blew out, you problem might be solved. The fuse for the starter is under the hood next to the battery. The ignition fuse is in the dashboard, drivers side, by the door. Let me know if you need anymore info, and what turned out to be wrong.

[adrianaa03]

Thanks again for all your help. I will have him take a look this weekend and get back to you.

Adriana :-)

[LapisNeon]

[size=1]FONT=arial]Have you run your onboard diagnostic to see what codes come up to indicate where the problem could be?[/font] [color=navy]

[DanF]

If he put a new battery in he's not going to pull any codes because the car hasn't been started...

I say its the battery terminals or wires too, I had the same problem for al ittle while, my radio would come on and all as well as my amps but the car wouldn't turn over... the started wouldn't even click most of the time, I just clened the terminals and put new wires on. It was all good after that.

[adrianaa03]

Well, I'm back. My dad has replaced the battery terminals, replaced the starter, replaced the iginition switch, replaced the battery, and has checked the starter fuses. The car will still not start. The lights will turn on but when I turn the key it just clicks and nothing. Anyone have any more suggestions??

Thanks for any help...Adriana

[Fractured1]

Are you sure the motor is not siezed..if it's ok then check out the following..There should be a "fusible link" between the battery and the starter...The link looks like a heavier wire but that is due to the insulation they use on it...ALL fusible links are 4 wire gauges smaller than the wire they are to protect...Just trace from the pos. side of your battery and you'll see it, it could of burnt out there causing all your problems...you can pick them up at autozone but make sure you replace it with a correct gauge and soldier and tape your connections.good luck

[DanF]

Yeah try to manually turn the engine... to make sure its not siezed... if not you have an electrical problem...

[adrianaa03]

Well guess what...my car works again! You won't believe what the problem was. The very first time the car went out on me was because the battery went dead. My dad jump started the car and I brought it home. Then my husband and I bought a new battery and he installed it. That's when the car wouldn't start again so we began searching for the problem. My dad, thinking that the battery was connected right never thought twice about looking at it. He happened to see a little red sticking out of the wire on the negative side and said this belongs on the positive. So he switched the wires and that was it! The car works fine now. I'm happy we finally figured it out. It was so simple but I guess sometimes you overlook the smallest things. Well, thanks to everyone who tried to help :-)

Adriana