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Battery or starter?

Old Oct 23, 2008
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Battery or starter?

So about a month ago I had an issue with my 2004 EX Sedan not starting. The car was running just fine all day, then shut it off for 5 minutes and tried to start again and it wouldn't turn over. Well, it tried to, then couldn't and began clicking rapidly. I then pulled the key back and out of the ignition and it tried to turn itself over again with no key in the ignition. Nothing but clicks when it did this.

All the accessories still worked just fine, which was unusual in my experience with dead batteries, but I figured "well it must just not have enough juice to move the starter, but it has enough juice to run the windshield wipers." I called someone for a jump. They arrive, we hook up the cables and have her started in a few minutes. Away we go.

I didn't touch it, figured it was a fluke. Hadn't had a problem with it.....until:

Jump to this morning. Same thing happened, even the trying to start itself with no key thing. Except this time I didn't have time to bother jumping it and such so I left it there and took someone elses car to work.

The car does have a remote start installed, but it's never been an issue in the 3 years I've had the car so far.

Now, in my experience with electrical issues, this isn't typical behavior of a dead battery. I mean, if it was a dead battery, it wouldn't have held a charge and I should have had a problem starting it again after the initial incident, right?

A quick search on here suggests the starter solenoid getting stuck and checking the connections. Is there a way to test the solenoid? I will check for improper and corroded connections when I get home.

Any other ideas on whats happening?
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Old Oct 24, 2008
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Re: Battery or starter?

The next time it happens leave the key in the ON position. Put the car in N. Pop the hood and carefully use a screwdriver to cross the two terminal bolts coming out of the starter solenoid. That will start the car if the solenoid is the problem.

I just replaced the starter solenoid on my truck earlier this week. I had been opening the hood to start it every time for a few days.
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Old Oct 24, 2008
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Re: Battery or starter?

I had this same problem a few months ago, got a tow back to the house but haven't had time to look at it since. My guess would be the starter/starter solenoid. You can cross them to to see if they start like RallyeRed said. Also if you have a battery charger you can test to see if the solenoid is engaging with that on 225V Engine Start.
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