97 camaro will not start

97copcar · #1 04-01-2008, 07:34 PM

Alright guys, I have seen you help others fix there cars and now I need the same help.

It is a 97 camaro b4c. I blew up the tranny back in early December. I still have 1 and third so i take it around the block about once a month to keep the fluids going. I went to do the monthly ritual and the car is not starting. I don't hear the fuel pump going and it is not trying to turn over. All lights are dead and the electric door lock does not work.

I took a voltmeter and it did not register any voltage. I tested another vehicle with the meter to ensure it is in working order and it is. I tried jumping the car thinking the cold zap the battery. While jumping the lights did not work and it did not attempt to crank. I think it might be the alternator. How would I test it and what else can I try short of replacing the battery? Thanks for looking at this.

wrightz28 · #2 04-02-2008, 11:29 AM

If you put the voltmeter across the battery and received nothing, then that is where to start (no pun intended). Also, if you know you have a dead battery, don't jump it unles you really have to, if the engine does start, the alternator is going to go full field trying to bring that battery back to life which will shorten the alternator's life at the very least.

89IROC&RS · #3 04-02-2008, 12:23 PM

go buy a battery charger, disconnect the battery from the car, and hook up the charger to it. let it sit overnight and check its voltage again after unhooking it from the charger.

of course, this is only one test, the second youll want to do, that you need a special tool for, is a load test of the battery. a battery can have voltage without any amperage. no amps, no crank.

no sense trying to diagnose the rest of the car when you know youve got a dead battery. fix that problem first, then if necessary move on from there.

wrightz28 · #4 04-02-2008, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 89IROC&RS

. the second youll want to do, that you need a special tool for, is a load test of the battery. a battery can have voltage without any amperage. no amps, no crank.

You can load test with a voltmeter, if the starter pulls the battery down to less than 9.6V when cranking, the battery is about done. Sure an inductive Ameter over the battery cable gives a much more specific image of the battery output, but a voltage drop test is sufficient by most means.

89IROC&RS · #5 04-02-2008, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrightz28

You can load test with a voltmeter, if the starter pulls the battery down to less than 9.6V when cranking, the battery is about done. Sure an inductive Ameter over the battery cable gives a much more specific image of the battery output, but a voltage drop test is sufficient by most means.

hmmm..... honestly never thought of that, basically using the starter as your resister and the voltmeter as your readout..... i stand corrected, no special tools needed

97copcar · #6 04-02-2008, 02:29 PM

Ok, I'll see about picking up the battery charger and trying that this weekend. If it won't charge then a new battery it is otherwise I'll try the volt drop test. Thanks guys.

z28 boy · #7 04-02-2008, 02:42 PM

oooorrrrr....take the battery off and take it to Autozone and have them test it for free, aswelll as ur alternator if u think thats the issue....im guessing ur cold cranking amps are fudged on the battery.

wrightz28 · #8 04-02-2008, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97copcar

Ok, I'll see about picking up the battery charger and trying that this weekend. If it won't charge then a new battery it is otherwise I'll try the volt drop test. Thanks guys.

What exactly was your reading across the battery? It had to be something ?

I'm only asking 'cause I if it was significantly low I'd be concerned with a cracked battery, and that could get dangerous, so look around for signs of leakage before you try and put a charger on it.

97copcar · #9 04-02-2008, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrightz28

What exactly was your reading across the battery? It had to be something ?

I'm only asking 'cause I if it was significantly low I'd be concerned with a cracked battery, and that could get dangerous, so look around for signs of leakage before you try and put a charger on it.

The reading was 0 volts. My g/f kid's truck was reading about 12 volts. I looked under the car and I do not see any leaks on the ground but, it is sitting on gravel. I am thinking of pulling the battery today. I'll do it slowly and look for damage.

Is this the type of charger I need?
http://www.autozone.com/R,NONAPP6578...ductDetail.htm

97copcar · #10 04-02-2008, 09:22 PM

got it started. I learned a good lesson......get sleep and plenty of light when looking at your car. I looked at the battery again and noticed a substantial amount of corrosion and residue next to the battery and under it after taking it out. Took it to the local shop and had it tested....it failed. After installing a new battery it started right up. Thanks guys. I'll hit you guys up over the weekend for the burnt\burned oil smell i noticed after getting it started.

89IROC&RS · #11 04-03-2008, 03:55 AM

glad we could help, cant speak for everyone, but its really kinda the reason im on here

as for the burned oil smell... for a car only being started once a month.... id hazard that its normal.

97copcar · #12 04-03-2008, 08:04 AM

I am very glad you guys are here for people like me. I know just enough to be dangerous*L* I can do basics, tire change, oil change stuff like that but I have not had a change to really do any wrenching on my car. I helped a buddy to headers on his car, it was fun as hell. I hope to be able to do more to mine as money becomes available. I invested in the OEM 2 book shop manuals to help me out.

Would it be a good idea to run the car for a little bit every day to get rid of the smell or is there something else I need to do. Would it sitting for a while also account for slightly off color exhaust? It was cold last night but not cold enough to be able to see my exhaust yet I could. Hopefully I will be able to get the new tranny installed early next month and start driving her again everyday.

wrightz28 · #13 04-03-2008, 09:28 AM

Dang it, i replied, but it didn't take.

Anyway, the oil smell is probably fresh oil being pumped into the heads as normal, except they may be on the dry side, wouldn't worry too much, should go away. The exhaust may be from this as well as since the PCM is in a bind after being without power from the battery.

I'd get ti started and let it idle up to temp, then take it for a nice little cruise around the neighborhood and let the PCM get some information.

NOTE - from the old battery, that corrosion, residue from the old battery contains sulfuric acid!!!

Very carefully clean that up before it does some REAL damage, if you get any on you be sure to run the exposed skin under water for atleast 15 minutes.

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