Hey yall

Driving a 99 with 222k on it. Wouldn't start this morning. It was trying to turn over (ie not just a clicking sound) but not so thought most likely battery. Took old battery to shop they tested it and said it has charge but is broken. Bought new battery. Installed it at home and car does same thing. Trying to turn over but not catching.

Can't be the starter right because not clicking? And if it was the alternator it would still turn over with a brand new battery?

Gotta get this thing back on the road by Wednesday for work, please help me out with any insight!

 

1) Check battery cable connections to the battery and starter, and chassis ground.
2) Have someone check for spark when turning the engine. No spark, then check ignition coil, distributor cap/rotor. If it has spark, then check fuel pump/pressure.
3) Possibly you might have a weak starter. It turns, but not fast enough (not likely, but it happens).

 

Thanks Rob. When you say "1) Check battery cable connections to the battery and starter, and chassis ground" you mean physical check that they are connected and also clean the connections?

With 2) checking for spark, where should they look for spark?

 

I went out and cleaned the terminals. They seemed fine. No corrosion on the inside. Pic below.
I took a video of trying to start it but can't upload it. It tries to turn over and almost makes it but doesn't.

Would the next thing to be to check 1) remove the negative cable and check the voltage from the positive terminal to the end of the negative cable (checking the system) and then 2) check a voltage drop between the positive terminal and the negative terminal on the starter?

 

Or would you move on and assume the starter is fine and check for spark instead?

 

Also I just realized I thought it was a 1999 (just got it) but its a 1998. I told them I needed a 1999 battery...could that be it?

 

Definitely not. 550 cc amps is enough to turn over a 4cyl unless it's not charged

 

It is still possible the starter is bad. Most of the time you will hear a click and nothing else, or simply nothing at all.
Maybe 5-10% of the time the starter is simply weak. That is why I said to check the connections of the battery cables.
You might check the connection to the starter ( the one with the BIG cable going to it).
You could try tapping on the starter with a hammer (not hard - more like "knocking on the door"). Then try starting the car again.
This might clear out carbon from the contacts inside the starter. if the starter starts the car after the tapping, then your starter needs to be replaced.

When you check for spark, you might do that the old fashioned way...

Pull out one of the sparkplug wires from the spark plug on top of the valve cover.
put a PHILLIPS screwdriver into the hole in the spark plug connector- where the spark plug will normally go ( the wire is still loose).
Put your hand on the metal part of the screw driver and have someone start the car. you should feel a pulsating shock (not pleasant).
If you feel something, then you have a fuel problem.
If you do not want to do this (the old fashioned way), you might check an auto store and see if they have a tester to "check for spark".


I saw your picture. nice and clean... but just because they are clean, doesn't mean the contact is good. make sure they are tight.

 

Rob and Sean, thanks for your alls responses. Gonna work on this after work and I'll report back. Thanks so much for lending a hand. I appreciate it.

 

It was suggested to check the battery cable connections. I saw where you checked at the battery, but did you check the connections at the other end of each of the battery cables?