I kinda need help... fast

[ispoonwithmugen]

Well, as you may know, I was planning on working on the car this weekend, but I have a subaru tech at home who is free who will do it for free buttttt, there is a problem.. my car isn't starting now. I thought it was the starter a few days ago because I got it running twice with running starts and it started twice on it's own. I went to try a rolling start the other day and nothing happened. Today, I go out to change the starter and go to start it and again nothing. Try to jump it, again nothing. Any help would be really appreciated. It's sitting out in the baseball lot, and my dorm is right next to it so I can come outside. I need to be home either late Friday or early Saturday. So please if you can help me out

[Ryan T]

Is it getting fuel? spark? Does it turn over and not start, or will it not even turn over? Are all the electrical systems working? Did you hook the battery cable back up to the starter when you installed it?

[ispoonwithmugen]

No turn over all the way, I SUCK at electical shit, and yes starter is attached to the battery cable

[JPolen01]

Not cranking at all? Check your alternator.

[WRXtranceformed]

Could be a completely beat battery. I have had batteries so dead they won't take a jump. I would try that first since it's the easiest fix.

[ispoonwithmugen]

But I don't have a car/ or really money. I think it may be wiring, the car has started fine forever no problems

[Mike]

Could be a completely beat battery. I have had batteries so dead they won't take a jump. I would try that first since it's the easiest fix.

the hatch was in this shape when i went to drop it off at dj's for delivery to justin. i was at a light, it simply died, and wouldn't even take a jump. only hope was a brand spanking new battery. i think she's started perfectly fine ever since?

[ispoonwithmugen]

Hm, I guess I'll take a try at that battery, and hope and pray that it does, I would have thought that it would at least have not started a few times before it just straight out died, What about being low on gas, what would that sound like? I swear I had a 1/4 tank but the girlfriend says that I was on E, so I don't know, maybe I don't have enough gas to even start it?

[JPolen01]

You can take the battery to autozone and have them test it to see how much life it has in it.

[Ryan T]

A car will try to turn over even if it isn't getting any fuel. It won't start, but a well functioning car out of gas will at least turn over. When you turn the key to ACC can you listen to the radio? Are the lights dim? Take the battery out and get a ride to Advance Auto. They can test the battery for free and tell you if it's bad. Could be the alternator is bad. A dead alternator can completely kill a battery in about 30 minutes worth of driving (ask me how I know).

[Mike]

in my experience, advance will not test the car battery if it's not in the car. makes very little sense to me... because... uhh... if i can't even jump the effing car how am i supposed to get it there? but i've been told that on more than one occasion.

[ispoonwithmugen]

What the hell? haha so they won't test that? That's weird haha. And when i turn it to ACC no dimming whatsoever, lights work, radio works, brights work etc. That's why I don't think it's the battery, and how do i test the alternator?

[JPolen01]

I called advanced on south main the other day about testing a battery on a buddy's motorcycle and they said it has to be out of the vehicle. I think they also test alternators, but I would call to make sure.

[ispoonwithmugen]

That would be where I go (if that's the 33 right by campus) but i don't have a way over there, I guess I could just walk, but would it be the battery if the headlights radio etc work?

[JPolen01]

I can lend a hand tomorrow and bring my tools over and give you a ride if you decide to test the battery/alternator. My number is 443 803 7017 so just shoot me text. I'm free after 3.

[ispoonwithmugen]

Alright word man, I'll shoot you a text sometime tomorrow morning, I did have my girlfriends dad bring up some tools but its not much, just a metric set 2 ratchets, couple of wrenches, and some screw drivers haha. I really appreciate it dude

[JustinG]

So explain exactly what's happening...

When you go to start the car it just clicks?
Tries to turn over like normal?
Turns over slowly then clicks?
Lights in the car immediately go dim when you go to crank the car?

Can you hear the fuel pump prime?

Did you change anything on the car before this started happening?

I need more info......

Sent from my Kindle Fire

[ispoonwithmugen]

Alright some information, sorry, should've included this earlier. When I turn it on, I get NOTHIING, no click, no sound whatsoever. Lights don't go dim at all, brights etc work while in acc also. I can hear the fuel pump. Last weekend, I started to prep my car for the clutch, which was a fail because it didn't come in time. I removed the intercooler, pulled one axle, pulled starter, and clutch fork, and the mount that attaches the tranny to the main frame (forget the name), and I believe that was it. That's why I immediately thought it was the starter. I also went to change the starter today, and the bottom bolt was almost 1/4 of the way out which was weird, I don't know if that would affect anything, mess up teeth or something?
Anything else I can help inform also

[.RJ]

I'd put my $$ on a dead battery. It takes a lot less amps to run lights/radio than it does to turn over a starter. Can you borrow one to try?

Check the relay for the starter (and if there's any other ignition/main relays) though.

[JustinG]

I'd put my $$ on a dead battery. It takes a lot less amps to run lights/radio than it does to turn over a starter. Can you borrow one to try?

Check the relay for the starter (and if there's any other ignition/main relays) though.

Ditto,

The DSM did the same thing, would power the radio, and interior lights, but wouldnt budge the starter. Would not hold a charge, but once I got the car started it was fine. It would take a jump though.

Im betting you have a dead cell in your battery, or a bad ignition fuse. Unless you reall F'd up in removing parts from your car, I highly doubt its a wiring issue. Starters are sturdy pieces, and I find it hard to believe thats the issue.

The next $15 you get, spend it on a descent Multimeter, then you'd be able to diagnose this problem alot easier.