Car won't start

[eyeroN]

I turn my key and it sounds like it'll start.
it makes the sound like its going to start but then it just dies off
and all the lights dim down and turn off.

My mechanic said something's eating my battery.
Not sure what would, i checked everything and made
sure nothing was using the battery.

Then one of the guys at cb7tuner.com (cvc7pimp)
said it could be my main relay.

What you guys think?

[visualpoet]

It could be both. If you turn the key, the engine turns over but then slows and stops, you've worn the battery down and it needs a charge. If you get it jumped or charged and it still won't start, it could be the main relay. It could also be a dozen other wonderful things. Get a charge or jump and pay attention to how it tries to start, does it sound like it's stumbling and misfiring, or does it just turn over smooth? Does it smell like gas after you try to start it? As many details as possible.

[Medikerik]

I'd try changing the battery and disconnect any external things drawing power (amp/subs, for example). That's all I can think of that's quick 'n easy. I'm sure the other members here will have more/better ideas.

[evil_demon_01]

Check the battery terminal, and especially the ground cable for detoration/corrosion.
This can cause a similar problem

[lucid]

I think the lights dimming points to a charge problem rather than a relay one, definitely get a good battery in there. The ground wires attached from the - post to the inner fender, trans, and from the wiring harness to the thermostat need to be good.

[cvandulken]

i begin to diagnose a constant drain problem like that with a simple load test using a multimeter. heres what i do:

find a multimeter that can do 10amp load.

start car, run it for alittle while..

shut it down wait 5-10 min.

open hood and disconnect battery +

put meter inbetween battery pole + and car + lead

check meters load, if its higher than .01amps, then i would start disconnecting accessories (including alarm system) till it drops. even .01 is enough to kill a batter over time.

i did this procedure on a 97 cutlass supreme. turn out it was the alarm constantly draining .12amps

also did this on one of my own cars.. turns out it was my cd player that was botched.

hope this helps.

[Grumpys93]

bad alternator?

[cvc7chris]

dude go to autozone and they can check your alternator and battery

now that i think of it it could be your alternator my first 91 cb7 did that..

bad alternator! and lights dim'd..

good luck man

[Hondateck2010]

dude go to autozone and they can check your alternator and battery

now that i think of it it could be your alternator my first 91 cb7 did that..

bad alternator! and lights dim'd..

good luck man

Well thats if he can even start it to take it it to auto zone

did you check the cable terminals ? they could be lose. I dont see why it could be the alternator if he can't even start the car unless the battery light was on while you was driving before this happened indicating the alternator is not charging.

Try jump starting the car and see if it starts, if it does see if the battery light is on.

[92cord]

bad alternator?

Thats what I was thinking.

But have you tried looking here:

http://www.cb7tuner.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=42256

[eyeroN]

Grumpys93 is right.


I need a new alternator.
Going to junk yard, a friend found
one for about 50 dollars. Going to get it
check at auto zone in a week or so if the
alternater is good. If it is then one more thing to
go and it's the groggy noise from the clogged EGR system.

A friend told me to get a chizzle and hammer and hammer the
ports with the chizzle to see if anything falls out, any other suggestions?

[evil_demon_01]

Spray the ports with carb cleaner, It will dissolve most of the buildup of carbon

[radiuslight]

Grumpys93 is right.


I need a new alternator.
Going to junk yard, a friend found
one for about 50 dollars. Going to get it
check at auto zone in a week or so if the
alternater is good. If it is then one more thing to
go and it's the groggy noise from the clogged EGR system.

A friend told me to get a chizzle and hammer and hammer the
ports with the chizzle to see if anything falls out, any other suggestions?

You can get a Rebuilt Alternator for 60+core or have yours rebuilt for 60........
Either way its better then a junk yard alternator It might go out on you again within the year........

Man I wish you were alot closer to where I live I would help you fix your ride......

[batever]

I turn my key and it sounds like it'll start.
it makes the sound like its going to start but then it just dies off
and all the lights dim down and turn off.

My mechanic said something's eating my battery.
Not sure what would, i checked everything and made
sure nothing was using the battery.

Then one of the guys at cb7tuner.com (cvc7pimp)
said it could be my main relay.

What you guys think?

ok, i don't understand why it hasn't been suggested to get a jump and see if the car will start.

if it will, then it's the battery or alternator. If it won't start, then it isn't.

It could be something totally easy like a bad distributor cap, combined with a weak battery. Jumping the car (with the negative cable on your engine block, not on the battery itself) will test if it is a problem with electrical supply or not.

Then take it from there.