Starting Problems, Please Help

[supramk3]

If anyone could please help me with this huge problem I'm experiencing, I would be very greatful. Yesterday, my 87 camaro died on the side of the road. I thought it just ran out of gas, because I was very low. So I ran to the gas station, and put about a gallon in the tank. So I go to turn the key, and I get nothing but a click and the sound of the fuel pump. Lately I have been having problems with the battery connection, but it's never failed to crank. Now it won't even crank, just a click. My engine is a carbureted V8. Any suggestions?? Right now my car is sitting on the side of some road ten minutes from my house, and I really don't know what to do.

[philly rs]

altinator gone? mines did that also but maybe and im streatching this the starter? i hope some of the big dogs come in here they may be more help but thats just 2 things u can start with.but i would check out the first one because mines did the same damn thing.

[89IROC&RS]

If its clicking but not cranking its something to do with the crank circuit. Either your battery connection is bad. go out and try and tighten your connections, and while youre there look at the battery terminals and see if there is evidence of corrosion from the battery acid. should look like a build up of green or white mold. Also, use a multimeter to test your battery and see if its dead or not. If its dead, put a new one in. And you should be on your way.

You also might concider going to the dealership and having them perform a power,starting, charging test to make sure your entire core electrical system is operating normally, IE, your battery is charged, your connections are good, your alternator is charging, and you dont have any parasitic draws.

[instantkevin]

very well could be alternator like philly said.

easy way to check.. jump start it. make sure after you connect the other car's battery, let it sit and charge for about 5 minutes. it should start up.

if your interior lights dim when you try to start it (especially after tryin several times) probably dead battery due to bad alternator. replace alternator.... battery will charge back up eventually.

if you still get only a click, you might have a bad starter, but this is not likely cause a bad starter will not cause the car to die. recheck jumper wire connections... put jumper wires on the battery wires directly... try again.

[DaMoNe6969]

I think you just have a weak connection on your battery or starter..

[supramk3]

Hey guys, thanks for all your advice. I have an update. Today, I took a brand new starter to the car and hooked it up. I made sure the connection was excellent and very tight. I did notice some green corrosion on the positive terminal though. Well anyways I went to turn the key, and got the same exact thing. Just a click and a faint noise coming from the fuel pump, I think. Now I'm really lost. My next goal is to go and find the starter and tap it with a hammer. If that fails, I will have to just tow it. Any other suggestions?

[philly rs]

get the alternator tested im telling you its the same thing my car did, at least hope thats what it is, clean your connections real good and you should be ready to go

[supramk3]

Originally Posted by supramk3

Hey guys, thanks for all your advice. I have an update. Today, I took a brand new battery to the car and hooked it up. I made sure the connection was excellent and very tight. I did notice some green corrosion on the positive terminal though. Well anyways I went to turn the key, and got the same exact thing. Just a click and a faint noise coming from the fuel pump, I think. Now I'm really lost. My next goal is to go and find the starter and tap it with a hammer. If that fails, I will have to just tow it. Any other suggestions?

Yeah, but wouldn't the car at least crank when I put in a brand new battery? I would think that if the battery is fresh, the alternator wouldn't effect starting ability, but I could be wrong.

[Rally Sport]

I had the same thing a while ago, it was the ignition coil, I got mine for around 40 bucks, hope this helps out any.

[philly rs]

oh i didnt see that you put a new battery in allready, your right it should crank up with a new battery

[DaMoNe6969]

im confused.. in one post you said "took a brand new starter" but when you quoted it you said "took a brand new battery"

If you replaced the battery, than the starter is most likely the problem, if you replaced the starter, than the battery is most likely the problem..

If you replaced them Both, than check all the wiring, and the ignition switch

hope this helps

[89IROC&RS]

if the battery leaked acid, then it fryed the positive battery cable, you need to replace that too. A new battery and new positive battery cable should solve your problem if it was a corrosion problem.

[Genopsyde]

question, are you getting power to anything else, like the radio or interior lights, if not, then it's the corroded connection, if you are, then it's probably something else.

[supramk3]

Originally Posted by 89IROC&RS

if the battery leaked acid, then it fryed the positive battery cable, you need to replace that too. A new battery and new positive battery cable should solve your problem if it was a corrosion problem.

Yep, I have power to everything else in the car, which is why I no longer think the battery is the problem. I'm thinking it's either the starter or the ignition coil, like someone said.

Also, sorry I accidentally said that I got a new starter, when I meant to say battery. I edited it, but it caused some confusion, sorry about that.

[KaotiKCamaro5]

better than my car.. i think im just gonna blow the sixer into a million pieces when it comes back from Kendall tomorrow... someone better hold me back from the damn thing.