# wifey's car won't start **URL:** \ **Category:** PittSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [June 22, 2007, 4:17am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/wifeys-car-wont-start/190700 "2007-06-22T04:17:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![grnteg98](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@grnteg98](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/grnteg98)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2007, 4:17am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/wifeys-car-wont-start/190700/1 "2007-06-22T04:17:52Z")
the other day, she went to go to work and she thought the battery was dead… jumped it, no dice. picked up a starter and after work, i changed the starter and it fired right up. fast forward two days later, same problem. i’m not much for diagnosing, but if i know what to look for i can fix it. any ideas as to what it may be. still sounds like a bad battery, but the battery’s good. my first guess is an electrical issue. btw it’s a 2001 cavalier. ---
**Author:** ![4doors5gears](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/4doors5gears/32/6006_2.png) [@4doors5gears](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/4doors5gears)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2007, 5:47am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/wifeys-car-wont-start/190700/2 "2007-06-22T05:47:18Z")
If the battery tests out OK then the alternator is charging it so that should be out. Maybe could be a bad wire from the starter? I would just trace back all those lines (Starter. Battery, Alternator) and make sure you don’t have any that are loose and no frayed ends. Does the starter click when you turn the key or is it just dead? ---
**Author:** ![BlackZ28](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/blackz28/32/5932_2.png) [@BlackZ28](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/BlackZ28)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2007, 5:51am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/wifeys-car-wont-start/190700/3 "2007-06-22T05:51:42Z")
more info is needed. when it won’t start, do you hear 1 click or multiple? how bright are the headlights? definitely check all connections (battery, alternator, ground, and starter). ---
**Author:** ![dyingwish](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/dyingwish/32/6041_2.png) [@dyingwish](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/dyingwish)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2007, 6:03am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/wifeys-car-wont-start/190700/4 "2007-06-22T06:03:29Z")
I second the wiring. When you installed the new starter you must’ve bumped something so the connection was good for a bit, and probably vibrated out again. Just try and grab and wiggle as many wires pertaining to the starter/alt/etc. See if it helps. ---
**Author:** ![grnteg98](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@grnteg98](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/grnteg98)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2007, 6:39am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/wifeys-car-wont-start/190700/5 "2007-06-22T06:39:15Z")
when you go to turn it over, it sounds as if the starter tries to turn(maybe once) then the noise changes to numerous low clicks like that of a bad battery. i figured i may have moved some wires around and the connection was good for a while, but i tried moving the wires around already, with no luck. ---
**Author:** ![dyingwish](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/dyingwish/32/6041_2.png) [@dyingwish](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/dyingwish)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2007, 6:48am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/wifeys-car-wont-start/190700/6 "2007-06-22T06:48:56Z")
when you replaced the starter, did the teeth mesh properly? The change in sound could be a couple of things. The flywheel may not be turning while the starter gear is moving, the voltage may be dropping, something like that. Was this a new OEM starter? I have seen cases where the tooth profile dosn’t match. Since it started once, I doubt that may be the issue. When you turn the key can you hear the fuel pump priming, followed by the starter attempting to turn? Have someone watch the stater itself when you turn the key and see if any connections are being stressed or if it moves at all. ---
**Author:** ![grnteg98](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@grnteg98](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/grnteg98)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2007, 7:04am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/wifeys-car-wont-start/190700/7 "2007-06-22T07:04:59Z")
you can hear the fuel pump prime followed by the starter. like i said, i’m sure it’s some sort of electrical issue. i just figured i’d see if there were any common problems with this particular car. ---
**Author:** ![SoLow](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/solow/32/6001_2.png) [@SoLow](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/SoLow)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2007, 7:11am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/wifeys-car-wont-start/190700/8 "2007-06-22T07:11:10Z")
doubt its it but The Starter Relay maybe? ---
**Author:** ![grnteg98](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@grnteg98](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/grnteg98)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2007, 8:52am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/wifeys-car-wont-start/190700/9 "2007-06-22T08:52:02Z")
it shouldn’t of worked for a little bit after i changed the starter the first time