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My damn car-anyone know enough about this to guess what this is?

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  1. Gabovitch Gabovitch is offline

    Nashville, TN
    United States

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    Aug 25th, 2006 (8/25/2006 1:24pm)

    So, I just get the tire fixed yesterday, and I'm eating at a resturant. Come back out, turn the key, nothing. Interior lights work, so it isn't the battery, but the headlights don't work which is a little strange. Open the hood and its pretty hot under there considering the car hasn't been running for about an hour. Trying to get it towed right now, but anyone have any guesses on what this is likely to be?
  2. lordxixor101 lordxixor101 is offline

    Westland, MI
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    Aug 25th, 2006 (8/25/2006 1:29pm) in reply to Gabovitch

    Ok, disclaimer, I know nothing about cars. My brother in law does, so I pick up a few things from watching him fix mine (or when he needs a spare pair of hands to fix his).

    Anyway, are you positive it isn't the battery? No headlights would make me think that way, maybe the interior lights take less juice. How old is the battery?

    Other guesses, a wire could have shorted out, that could cause it. You could also have a messed up computer in the car, that could get expensive.

    My hunch is this is a cheap fix (relatively). Let us know what it is.
  3. MadTiger MadTiger is offline

    Akron, OH
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    Aug 25th, 2006 (8/25/2006 1:29pm) in reply to Gabovitch

    Fuse?
  4. coll28 coll28 is offline

    Alpharetta, GA
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    Aug 25th, 2006 (8/25/2006 1:32pm) in reply to Gabovitch

    ignition switch. do you have an alarm ( kill switch)?

    GAS?
  5. Mr. Blonde Mr. Blonde is offline Supreme Moderator

    Georgetown, DE
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    Aug 25th, 2006 (8/25/2006 1:46pm) in reply to coll28

    im 90 % sure it's your battery (it has enough juice for the interior lights, but not enough for the headlights)

    8% its an ignitiion switch
    2% its a fuse

    Edit: you could have a alternator problem also
     
  6. Gabovitch Gabovitch is offline

    Nashville, TN
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    Aug 25th, 2006 (8/25/2006 1:49pm) in reply to coll28

    Not out of gas, no alarm. The battery isn't brand new, but whatsworrying me is that the car was so hot (hot enough that it almost hurtto touch the thing that props the hood up) after sitting there for anhour. Could a bad battery do that?
    Thread Starter
  7. pace13 pace13 is offline

    Brentwood, CA
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    Aug 25th, 2006 (8/25/2006 1:49pm) in reply to Mr. Blonde

    I would guess battery as well...even though you are getting SOME power....corrosion and build up on the posts can restrct contact and result in the symptoms you describe.

    clean your posts with a little baking soda and water (use an old toothbrush)

    gl
  8. pace13 pace13 is offline

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    Aug 25th, 2006 (8/25/2006 1:53pm) in reply to Gabovitch

    if your regulater went out(mine did once) it will overcharg the battery and it would get bloated and eventually explode....but that wouldn't cause the symptoms you described earlier.

    during the overcharging you will probably smell sulfer too (rotton eggs) and that will be the sulfuric acid leaking from your battery.
  9. MadTiger MadTiger is offline

    Akron, OH
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    Aug 25th, 2006 (8/25/2006 1:54pm) in reply to pace13

    Yuck.
  10. godseyt godseyt is offline

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    Aug 25th, 2006 (8/25/2006 1:57pm) in reply to Gabovitch

    The fan in your car should continue to run even after you shutoff your car. That fan runs off the battery. If your battery didn't have enough juice to keep the fan running, then maybe that explains the hot engine. That and the fact it is summer.

    TJ
  11. pace13 pace13 is offline

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    Aug 25th, 2006 (8/25/2006 1:58pm) in reply to MadTiger

    yeah yuk, when my regulater went out, I was driving home smelling rotten eggs...got to my house heard a hissing noise.

    I open the hood....can't see any steam or anything leaking, but I still hear the noise.

    I put my head as close to the engine as I can tso I can hear where it is coming from .....I move over the battery and say to myself "its here!" I look down and my battery is bulging at the seams!

    luckily it didn't splode or i'd have had a face full of acid!
  12. MadTiger MadTiger is offline

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    Aug 25th, 2006 (8/25/2006 1:59pm) in reply to godseyt

    Good point.
  13. Gabovitch Gabovitch is offline

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    Aug 25th, 2006 (8/25/2006 1:59pm) in reply to pace13

    Huh. Thanks, that makes me feel a little better about it, battery I can live with.
    Thread Starter
  14. Gabovitch Gabovitch is offline

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    Aug 25th, 2006 (8/25/2006 2:01pm) in reply to pace13

    Yeah, my battery exploded a couple of years ago. Pain in the ass.
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  15. Shaaarrrp Shaaarrrp is offline

    Arlington, VA
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    Aug 25th, 2006 (8/25/2006 2:05pm) in reply to Gabovitch

    alternator is my guess
     
  16. rivverkiller rivverkiller is offline

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    Aug 25th, 2006 (8/25/2006 2:08pm) in reply to MadTiger

    90% sure it's your battery as well. I don't see it being a fuse however you could possibly take a look at the relays underneath the hood. They're in a black box probably off to the side of your engine compartment.
     
  17. OMG_LOL_WTF OMG_LOL_WTF is offline

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    Aug 25th, 2006 (8/25/2006 2:25pm) in reply to Shaaarrrp

    Take your battery to Pep Boys/Autozone whatever it is by you. They test it for free.

    Obviously if it's bad buy a new one. If not, replace the alternator. Easy job. Two screws, one wire.
  18. SchruteRules SchruteRules is offline

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    Aug 25th, 2006 (8/25/2006 2:26pm) in reply to Shaaarrrp

    I agree with Shaaarrrp, surpirised no one mentioned it sooner. Does the engine try to turn at all?
  19. misterizx misterizx is offline

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    Aug 25th, 2006 (8/25/2006 2:29pm) in reply to Gabovitch

    Could be a battery, Before you get it towed check and make dang sure the car is in park before trying to start. It will not do anything if the shift lever is not in park.

    Engines stay hot a long time.

    If it is the battery you should still be able to jump start. before towing ask someone for some cables.

    EDIT: oooops didnt see that headlights didnt work. Still ask for a jump before getting it towed, If you jump start you can drive it to a local autozone and they will put a battery on for you.
  20. Gabovitch Gabovitch is offline

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    Aug 25th, 2006 (8/25/2006 2:32pm) in reply to SchruteRules

    No, it doesn't even try to turn. Makes no sound. If its the alternator it won't jump though right?
    Thread Starter
  21. JPitt09 JPitt09 is offline Royals Fan, lol

    Marshall, MO
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    Aug 25th, 2006 (8/25/2006 2:37pm) in reply to Gabovitch

    If your alternator is messed up, a lot of times your car won't start but the dashboard will go nuts. You'll see all the gauges max out and fall and possibly have the interior lights on. Do you have a souped up stereo system? if so than it is almost def. your alternator.
  22. Johnny Ringo Johnny Ringo is offline

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    Aug 25th, 2006 (8/25/2006 2:50pm) in reply to misterizx

    did you try turning the key, some cars make you turn it, not just stick it in.

    push in the clutch????????
  23. igggy! igggy! is offline

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    Aug 25th, 2006 (8/25/2006 4:00pm) in reply to Johnny Ringo

    100% alternator
  24. Octan3_ipwnsippin Octan3_ipwnsippin is offline

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    Aug 25th, 2006 (8/25/2006 4:07pm) in reply to igggy!

    either ignition switch (highly unlikely, but still could be true)

    or battery.

    you most likely left your headlights on, boom there goes your battery.
  25. betbrett betbrett is offline

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    Aug 25th, 2006 (8/25/2006 5:36pm) in reply to Octan3_ipwnsippin

    Sometimes the connections are tight enough to get the interior lights juice, but not enough to turn the engine. I would check for corrosion on the terminals/posts etc. If none, then twist them back and forth and tighten them.

    If that doesn't work then it most likely is the battery. However your starter could hove gone out. If you don't hear some clicking sound when turning the key this probably isn't the case though.
  26. Gabovitch Gabovitch is offline

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    Aug 25th, 2006 (8/25/2006 8:36pm) in reply to betbrett

    <span><span>BetBrett wins, the connections were indeed too loose. Got it up and running. Thanks for the help.</span>
    </span>
    Thread Starter
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