HELP PLEASE car wont start

[ranger690]

Ok so I went out tonight to adjust my headlights up as the were to low. (didnt think that it was a big deal). Got them adjusted using the screws and went in the car to start it and no go, the fuel pump primes and I turn the key to start and all I get is 1 click somewhere by either the air box or under the plastic rectangular cover by the hood latch not sure. I have no Ideas what might have caused this I didnt even mess with any thing but the screws on the headlights.

Any adeas at this point would be helpful.

the car ran and started fine this morning at work and on the way back

 

[Eastcoast SHO]

check your solenoid

 

[ranger690]

what solenoid where I am not real automotive literate but im working on it what am i checking for

Thanks,
kyle

 

[Huntervf]

Automatic or manual transmission? Year of car?

99% sure it's one of two things. 1: dirty/corroded battery terminals where the battery cables connect to the battery. This will be the easy fix, because all you need to do is take the cables off the battery and clean the terminals (either with a dedicated terminal cleaner, or a wire brush.) 2: Your starter is bad, which means you need to replace it. It's not hard to replace, but for someone not automotively-inclined, you should probably have someone replace it. If you have a manual trans car, you can bump start the car, or you can try tapping on the starter with a hammer, sometimes that can get the starter engaged again, but it's only a temporary fix.

 

[ranger690]

it is a 94 5 speed and i will go try the terminal thing and if it is not that then the starter thing

Thanks,
Kyle

 

[white93atx]

Adjust your lights back to the way they where.

 

[Huntervf]

FYI, for that year the solenoid would be right on the starter, which is bolted on the engine near where the oil filter goes. In fact, whenever you change oil, the filter drips oil right on the starter.

Try cleaning your battery terminals. If there's a lot of corrosion (white powdery stuff) then you may luck out and just need to clean them. In the meantime, do you know how to bump start your car?

And no, adjusting your headlights had nothing to do with this.

 

[ranger690]

Alright so I tried the battery terminal cleaning with no success so I guess next tis to replace the starter. Is there any difference in the starters between the 97 dollar NSA starter on rock auto vs the motocraft that is 211.
Or would it be cheaper going to like a auto parts store.

Also does the solenoid come on the starter or is it seperate

Thanks

 

[93rev2sev]

Personally, I would have my starter rebuilt by a starter and alternator shop.

 

[1995mtxsho]

And no, adjusting your headlights had nothing to do with this.

Are you sure?

Ok so I went out tonight to adjust my headlights up as the were to low. (didnt think that it was a big deal). Got them adjusted using the screws and went in the car to start it and no go, the fuel pump primes and I turn the key to start and all I get is 1 click somewhere by either the air box or under the plastic rectangular cover by the hood latch not sure. I have no Ideas what might have caused this I didnt even mess with any thing but the screws on the headlights.

Any adeas at this point would be helpful.

the car ran and started fine this morning at work and on the way back

You had the headlights on during the time you adjusted them?

Have you tried to jump start it?

 

[Huntervf]

I'm assuming the OP can tell if the battery is dead.

Reman starters don't have the greatest track record for lasting as long as a factory starter, but if you get one with a lifetime warranty, you just keep taking it back every 2-3 years to get a new one for free. For me, the hassle of having occasional starter failures every couple years doesn't outweigh the cost, but you're paying someone to do the labor, it's probably cheaper in the long run to get the OEM starter. If you have the time to have your car down for awhile, having the original rebuilt is a good idea as well.

 

[ranger690]

I adjusted the lights with the car off before dark. Then when it was close to dark 15-20min later that is when it wouldnt start and the battery is fine
So?

What would jump starting proove just curious

Thanks

 

[Huntervf]

That the battery isn't dead.

 

[walser]

it sounds like the starter exact same thing happened to me, i had to bump start it to get it home, and then it worked fine for awhile but did do it again, i went to napa and got a new one for about $124 through the shop dicount, but personally im with huntervf and go with a new one, and its an easy replacement.

 

[ranger690]

I was able to bump start the car last night and that worked fine I went to start it again and it was a no go. So I will be ordering a new starter but Want to know where I am going to find one the cheepest, I figure a starter is a starter. There is one on rock auto for 97 + shipping. Does anyone have experience with this one or know of a place where I can get it cheeper

Thanks

 

[Huntervf]

Prices are going to vary too much to really help you out there. Just grab a phone book and start calling parts stores.