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Disaffected

(4,554 posts)

28. Sounds like a weak battery or

Tue Dec 1, 2020, 11:18 PM

Dec 2020

bad connection at battery terminals. What you are probably hearing is solenoid chatter at the starter motor due to low voltage from the battery that results from the high current draw when the starter tries to kick in.

Try cleaning the terminals or wiggling them to see if they have become loose. If one or the other terminals is loose, tighten bolt/nut in the terminal clamp(s).

If cleaning terminals, remove negative terminal (before removing positive terminal) first and reconnect last to avoid a possible short circuit between the wrench you are using on the positive terminal and the car frame or other close by metal object..

If that doesn't work see if you can get a battery boost from another car. If that gets it started, go to a garage and get battery and alternator checked (battery may be weak or discharged; alternator may be faulty).

If the battery is more than 4 or 5 years old, you might want to replace it in any case.

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Car question? [View all] madamesilverspurs Dec 2020 OP

It's not the alternator. What's the engine? mahatmakanejeeves Dec 2020 #1

. madamesilverspurs Dec 2020 #5

I think that last "8" is actually a "B." mahatmakanejeeves Dec 2020 #8

You are correct, it is a B. madamesilverspurs Dec 2020 #10

From here it sounds like bearings. gibraltar72 Dec 2020 #2

Check engine light was on for three years? frazzled Dec 2020 #3

When it first came on madamesilverspurs Dec 2020 #6

To check your alternator nykym Dec 2020 #4

Thanks, but madamesilverspurs Dec 2020 #15

How about a friend? Karadeniz Dec 2020 #26

So did it just keep turning over, but never actually started? mr_lebowski Dec 2020 #7

... madamesilverspurs Dec 2020 #9

How old is the car battery? mahatmakanejeeves Dec 2020 #11

Battery is about two years old. madamesilverspurs Dec 2020 #12

not sure if a 2002 has one Squidly Dec 2020 #13

Back in the day, I'd say your battery terminals need cleaning Brother Buzz Dec 2020 #14

I have personal experience with just such a situation. mahatmakanejeeves Dec 2020 #18

I'd wager you experienced your problems when the weather turned cold Brother Buzz Dec 2020 #21

February, March, something like that. It's been a while. NT mahatmakanejeeves Dec 2020 #22

That sounds more like a starter problem. nykym Dec 2020 #16

heres an easy trick that sometimes works Squidly Dec 2020 #17

If you can reach it. NT mahatmakanejeeves Dec 2020 #19

yea, im not familiar with Caravans Squidly Dec 2020 #20

Sounds like a weak battery or Disaffected Dec 2020 #28

Okay as others have mentioned, your battery is low ... mr_lebowski Dec 2020 #29

Thank you, madamesilverspurs Dec 2020 #30

All better! madamesilverspurs Dec 2020 #31

Excellent news! Niagara Dec 2020 #32

Start with the battery (that's the cheapest) bluestarone Dec 2020 #23

Any time I have a warning light on my dash I take my car to Auto Zone. They'll read your abqtommy Dec 2020 #24

Sounds like a weak battery, or poor connections at the starter. Worried2020 Dec 2020 #25

I'm not a mechanic by any means. Niagara Dec 2020 #27