car wont start when its hot outside

[chopstick1981]

it about 95 degrees outside and i go to start my car and all it does is click, it doesn't even attempt to start. I've only owned the car for about a week, but the thing has run perfect the whole time. the voltage gauge shows i have enough battery power. Any suggestions???

[AutostradaVR4]

make sure the battery terminals are clean and snug. Temp shouldnt effect it, but its a quick thing to check and ive heard many people say its happened to them. Does the car start when jumped?

[chopstick1981]

hmmmm... i jumped the battery with a little battery charger and it starts right up now... maybe my battery is dying

[AutostradaVR4]

could be, but usually with a weak battery, it wont start when its cold out. Autozone will check your battery for free, so might as well take advantage.

[Linebckr49]

yes, go to AutoZone (or other local chain auto store) and have them check the battery. this service is free. but if you're battery is ok, don't worry. this is a common problem with our cars, known as "click, click, start." if it won't start, just turn the key off, then try to start again. do this a few times (10 or so), it should start up eventually.

one remedy that i've heard many people have done is to run power straight from the battery to the starter, and put a 30A relay in there.

[sLADe781]

Originally Posted by Linebckr49

...but if you're battery is ok, don't worry. this is a common problem with our cars, known as "click, click, start." if it won't start, just turn the key off, then try to start again. do this a few times (10 or so), it should start up eventually.

one remedy that i've heard many people have done is to run power straight from the battery to the starter, and put a 30A relay in there.

Interesting...didn't know that it was common. So like the cause of the problem would just be that there isn't enough power during hot days? Or just in general!?!

[Linebckr49]

not enough power in general, but it seems to happen sporadically. i haven't payed much attention to weather conditions when it has happened to me, but i'm in TX, so its always hot here.

[AutostradaVR4]

Hmmm...I didnt know it was a common problem either. I had these symptoms on my other car, turned out to be a loose battery terminal. Not even that loose, but i could swivel it on the post. Tightened it up and it started right up.

If it really is a lack or power, maybe the starter is on its way out???

[Linebckr49]

i know people who have replaced batteries, starters, checked wiring connections, and nothing worked. relay to battery worked MOST of the time, but there are instances in which it didn't work as well. but OF COURSE, check the obvious things first like battery connections, battery itself (AutoZone), etc etc.

[planet_keeper]

lol funny story about something like this. it was the first week of owning my car and i turn the key and it just goes 'click, click, click' and im like 'damnit, first week and it already broke'. i open up the hood and check everything out, make sure the battery ports look alright and everything but nothing seems wrong. i go into my car to try to start it one more time and i notice that my carpet, which i moved so that i could vacuum under it, was under my clutch stopping me from pushing the clutch down all the way... i fealt reeeeal smrt