Hey guys,

I have an 88 Camaro that I have been driving for 4 months that won't start. When I bought the car, it would typically take longer than usual for the engine to turn over which I think is due to an old starter.

I have been working on my car all winter and let the battery drain because I've had the interior lights on the whole time (I know, not smart). I was getting ready to take the car out for a spin and it wont start now. There is just a very distinct clicking noise when I jump the car and turn the key over. When my camaro is connected to my daily driver when I jump it, the headlights come on strong as well as all of the interior lightning. When I turn the key over, the lights all dim and the clicking starts.

I just changed the lock cylinder because the old one was broken so I thought that may have something to do with it but it may just be a coincidence that the car doesn't start just after I changed that out.

My brother-in-law is a mechanic and said he is positive its the starter. He suggested I hit it with a hammer to loosen the solenoid but that hasn't been working. I have read a bunch of threads that suggest it could be a number of things, bad battery, poor cable connection, bad cables, etc. I firmly believe it is the starter or the battery. Based on your experience, what do you think it is?

Thanks guys

 

That's a classic bad battery. When you killed the battery by leaving the lights in you killed a cell in the battery. Pull it out and take it to Autozone and have it checked, but I'm 99% sure that's it.

 

Well shoot. If that's the case, is the battery ruined?

 

Yes, but if it's a Diehard or Optima, depending on how old it is, you may have a warranty on it.