I pulled out my car today and I was vaccuming and detailing the interior, I figured that I would let it run for about 20 min just to get everything flowing...it was running fine then I went inside my house to get some cleaner all of a sudden I heard the radio, but the car wasn't running....so I tried to start it again and it wouldn't turn over. The starter was being hit, but it just wouldn't turn over. It has water, oil, air, and the battery was just replaced. Any clue as to what could of went wrong? Thanks

- Dave

 

car died and you ran the battery down

 

So the motor was dead but the car radio was still playing?

 

Yes, the motor was dead and the radio was still playing. When I try to start her again, I hear the starter and the fuel pump, but it never turns over. Very puzzled.

 

vats, fuseable link?

 

Vats popped into my mind too...

 

does the starter just click? I know this sounds really stupid but people have gotten it confused on here before, by saying it doesnt turn over you mean it doesnt crank right? Not that it cranks and cranks and just doesnt start correct? If thats true then I'm gonna havta go with ede and say your car probably stalled and the radio drained the battery..

 

it does crank...goes "vrrrrrrrrr" I stop, try it again "vrrrrrrrrrr" and it doesn't ever run.

 

sorry for the confusion, and thank you for the help

 

This is what I'd do.

1. Check the battery to make sure its fully charged.

2. Inspect and/or test both positive and negative battery cables. They can corrode where you can't see them. They are cheap enough - I'd just replace them.

3. Pull the starter/solenoid and take it to a parts store that can run a test on it. If it tests as bad, replace it.

Good luck!
Deb

p.s. a bad alternator will drain your battery causing your car to die, but I'd be surprised if you could get the engine to crank after that.

 

battery is fully charged and is BRAND NEW...I mean literally, today...see the negative terminal thingy was stripped, so I took the battery back to Advanced and said it was the battery terminal that was messed up...so they gave me a new one, I put it in and its fine....I don't know what it could be, I'll try the 3rd thing you suggested, thanks a lot guys.

 

The starter won't be the problem if you are cranking the engine over when you turn the key. That means it works.

It sounds like a fuel or ignition problem. I'm not sure what could have caused it so randomly like that though. What kind of intake do you have (TPI, TBI, carb)? Do you have VATS on your car (security system)?

 

it is a stock TPI.....no I don't have VATS, but I do have an aftermarket alarm in, however I determined that this is not the problem...I guess I'm going to check for spark n stuff, I don't know...

 

ok battery is fine, alternator is probably good also, the cars cranking, so the starters fine and the batterys fine, your missing air, fuel, or spark. Find out which. What type of induction system are you running? TPI, TBI, or carb? If its carb or TBI have someone else crank it and with the air cleaner removed look to see if the injectors are spraying or the jets are squirtin, if its TPI make sure the injectors are spraying, if not you probably have one of the following, a restriction in fuel flow, or fuel pump thats not working. If fuel is not the problem check for spark. Pull a spark plug and with the wire still connected hold it against exhaust manifold or anything else thats metal and have someone crank the car and see if it sparks. If you have no spark check the cao and rotor, coil, and ignition module. If you have spark and fuel but it doesnt run check fuel pressure. Thats all I can think of right now. Let us know what you find out.

 

never mind just reread the post. If its TPI and you have spark and fuel test for fuel pressure while cranking and let us know the reading.

 

ok thanks, I'll test for spark tomorrow and get back to yinz.

 

It wouldn't be vats, batt, or alternator.

Could be spark or fuel, or simply his motor grenaded while ideling and won't catch again.

Crank it like nothing else, and check the plugs. smell 'em, etc.. Take the coil wire off the dist, and check for spark.

-- Joe