Any car experts around?

[chriswhitelaw]

I currently have a 1998 chevy cavalier w/ 90,563 miles
when I go to start the car it hesitates to start and only after a few seconds of holding the key in the on position does it then finally start. any idea what would be the cause?

[DozerLYP]

i got the same problem, the batery is not holding enough power to start it right away, but there is power in it... go figure, this will be the 4th time i change the batery in my car. and my car keep killing them...

[Baddog]

The Starter is dragging...you have a dragging starter motor. remove the starter motor and have a look at the inside to see if your brushes are ok. you may have to rebuild your starter. if battery is good...and it starts when cold...your drawing too many amps at the starter when its hot. have your system tested. good luck:t

[SJG437]

Chris - What do you mean when you say you have to hold it in the start position for a few seconds. You have to hold it there before it will even crank? Or is it cranking put just won't start?

If it's cranking what does it sound like? Slow like rugh ----- rugh ----- rugh? or fast like rughrughrughrughrugh?


Dozer - you didn't state what make/model/year of car you're driving but your issue is most likely...

1. A Shoddy Alternator
2. A Shoddy Voltage Regulator (some internal to the Alternator some external)
3. Corroded battery cables
4. Short/Open circuit constantly drawing power.

Your alt./volt. is what pumps juice back into your battery and regulates the voltage thereof - either an overcharge/undercharge condition will kill you battery quickly. Corroded cables will do the same thing but often take longer.

Do you have access to a Voltmeter or Multimeter?

[ConfusedAlien]

couldnt you go to a local autobody shop and ask whats the dilly yo?

[ConfusedAlien]

another question for a car maniac.

how do you change the oil? i hear you have to change the oil fan? did i hear that right? an oil fan?

the car takes 5 quarts. how much is a quart of oil?

and what are the advantages of synthetic oil?

[DozerLYP]

i have a lincoln mark8 94 and i had this happen to me before. and something in my car kills batery. if i put a new batery in, every thing will be fine for the next 12 to 14 months, and then the batery will die...

i did it 3 time alrighty. now is time for the 4th...

[werz]

Go to an auto electrician. whats a quart of oil, I live in the real world where we use litres,

[ConfusedAlien]

well i just wanted to get an estimate. of course id buy by the box.

just would have to know which oil to get. want the most "value" lol

[DozerLYP]

see, i just change my battery, and it's fine now...

[Cyan]

Originally posted by chriswhitelaw
I currently have a 1998 chevy cavalier w/ 90,563 miles
when I go to start the car it hesitates to start and only after a few seconds of holding the key in the on position does it then finally start. any idea what would be the cause?

Starter motor could be going out, battery could be dieing, alternator could be not charging battery properly, get yourself a multimeter and check the voltages -

Alternatively - you can go to your local checker and ask them to check you electrical system (the do it for free) they can tell you if its a battery or alternator problem, good thing is if you can't start the car after you get there, you can buy the parts to fix it :D

I'd check the electrical system if my car kept "killing" batteries. Your alternator could be ruining them, or just not charging them.

Check for corrosion on electrical leads to and from the battery, check the ground wire is clean and secure.

Dead or depleted batteries (from my experience) make the starter motor 'click' several times in succession - at least on older cars.

If you keep going with your problem, you'll end up damaging or wearing out your starter motor.

[chriswhitelaw]

Originally posted by DozerLYP
see, i just change my battery, and it's fine now...

Ain't this Motherf____! took it to Firestone this morning and they said it was the battery also. A dead cell was the problem. The battery is no more then a year old, what's up with that?

[DozerLYP]

i don't know, i think they just don't make batterys the way use to. this is my 4th batterys in 3 1/2 years...

[j.m@talk]

There is summink amiss in the charging circuit .......

OR

Ya buying cheepo batteries )-|

[chriswhitelaw]

Interstate batteries are by no means cheap or bad. the guy told me it depends on the car,weather and how well you take care of your car. he also told me that my oil was dangerously low and anymore driving like I was doing that would have been it.

[j.m@talk]

Originally posted by chriswhitelaw
Interstate batteries are by no means cheap or bad. the guy told me it depends on the car,weather and how well you take care of your car. he also told me that my oil was dangerously low and anymore driving like I was doing that would have been it.

Top the oil up then ......... Gebers oil is nearly free overthere :t

[j.m@talk]

Quart = quarter of a gallon ;)

8 pints to a gallon

So a Quart is 2 pints :cool:

Buy an oil filter too...... & nip to the dealer & buy a sump plug "O" ring ...... (One of those copper washer fingis)

http://ksks.essortment.com/oilchanging_rvia.htm

[ukulele]

If your batteries keep dieing then your voltage regulator is shot and if it is like most new cars it's part of the alternator. It use to be a $20.00 fix now it's $200.00. Lucky you live in America.

[ConfusedAlien]

looks like car is draining current like madman. check out the voltage regulator?

[ukulele]

If the car was "draining current lke a madman" it would be dead in a few days of sitting. More likely what's happening is the voltage regulator is over charging or under charging and that is what is eating batteries. Any decent battery should last three to five years under normal use. My truck battery is an el-cheapo and 6 years old. It still starts the truck after sitting for a few weeks. Fortunately it is an easy component to test. Just leave the lights on until they start to dim with the motor off and then hook up a decent DVM on the battery and watch the voltage when you start the engine. If it goes over 14.5 or stays under 13 volts at 3000 RPM's, the regulator is faulty.

[j.m@talk]

Can ya not get reconditioned Alternators ?

Touch wood its years since I've changed one............ :rolleyes:
Thats gotta be the stoopidest thing I've ever said :confused:

[Cyan]

Originally posted by j.m@talk
Can ya not get reconditioned Alternators ?

Touch wood its years since I've changed one............ :rolleyes:
Thats gotta be the stoopidest thing I've ever said :confused:

You can... I wouldn't.

You can also fix your own with little kits.

[ukulele]

Maybe American made ones. The Japanese usually aren't that accomodating.