Ok, here's the deal. Just left the drive-thru lube and went to get a burger down the street, get back in to leave, car wont start. I have power but when I turn the key it doesnt turn over or do anything at all.

I looked around for anything obvious, but couldnt see anyhing. I figured they knocked a wire loose to the starter or it just died...?

My roomate showed up and confimed what I thought.

So......

What do I do? Where is the starter? Etc etc......

I dont want the car towed where it is.

 

i had the same problem a week ago. i changed everything but the nuetral saftey switch and it turned out being just my starter. i'm willing to bet that your starter is the culprit. the starter is located at the bottom passenger side of the block, above the y-pipe. its can be a pain to get it out and put the new one in, but a remanufactured one is only about 50 bucks. you can test if the starter is good by getting underneath the car, leaving the key in the 'on' position and jumping the selenoid on the starter. if it cranks then the starter isnt the problem. it could be the nss, the ignition switch (thats a real PITA), the battery, the battery cables, fuseable links or even a bad ground. i'm willing to bet its the starter, but test it first and go from there. let me know what you come up with, good luck

 

Sometimes the solenoid gets "heatlocked" because its right next to the exhaust manifold. You can let it sit for a while or smack it will something hard, like a hammer. That is, if it was heatlock.

 

Double check belts, pan plugs, removed dipsticks, filler caps and anything else that lube places keep on hand--never know! Try jumping it to get it home, if it isn't home by now. From my experience starters break slowly over time, batteries and alternators require an overloaded second. Maybe those losers down there left your door open and radio on and drained the batt, you starting it was enough to finish it off without much time to charge.

I say jump it, if it doesn't hold, it's the battery. If it won't jump, clean terminals etc. It doesn't sound like the starter, the heatlock is possible but I never heard of hitting it but almost everything needs a big fat hammer diagnosis every now and then. Whatever the outcome find a way to blame the lubers and get your money back etc.!!! Good Luck!