My car wouldn't start this morning...

[KansDem]

Tried to start it but all I heard was a rapid clicking sound when I turned the key. The battery and starter are new. Any suggestions before I call the tow truck?

[billyskank]

1. Did you try a level one diagnostic?

[KansDem]

4. Does that mean crawling under the car?

Haven't done that yet.

[billyskank]

11. Nope. It means give it a kick.

That's usually the first thing I try when anything doesn't work. :)

[shoelace414]

2. have you tried rebooting?

[KansDem]

5. No, the car didn't "crash," so I didn't think rebooting would work (nt)

[Democracy White]

3. alternator

that's probably it.


Dee

[KansDem]

6. That might be it.

Someone else suggested the alternator. I'll see if I can pick one up from a parts store and put it on. My car is a '65 Chevy so I think I can do it myself since I can see the street when looking down into the engine compartment (it's a rather simple engine).

Thanks for the tip! :hi:

[Democracy White]

9. I have a 92' Riveira

and my alternator conked out earlier this year. My dad's a car nut himself, (he has a 1923 T-Bucket hot rod that he absolutely adores) so he helped me put it on. It was fun because he was teaching me something new.

Dee

[KansDem]

12. Thanks, I got it running after replacing the alternator...

:hi:

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

7. Check the cable connections to the battery

If they're even slightly loose, your ignition may not work properly. Or if you didn't replace the connectors when you replaced the battery, they could be corroded. You may simply not be getting enough power to your ignition system from your battery..

[KansDem]

8. I'll take a look at that.

The connectors look new and I believe they were replaced when I had the new battery installed. But I'll check to make sure they're tight.

Thanks! :hi:

[madinmaryland]

10. Did you leave a light on in the car last night?

Sometimes its the silliest things.

[KansDem]

13. No, that was the first thing I checked...

But I did get it running after I replaced the alternator thanks to DU suggestions!