Sorry, I'm a newb here, and I've tried to search, but I haven't found the answer yet...

Okay, for real, about 3 hours ago, I came home to change uniforms, and when I got back in the car after it sat for about 20 minutes, it wouldn't start. It turned over VERY slowly for about second and a half, then stopped, and now nothing. All the lights and windows still work without any problem, but it seriously sounds like a dead battery. The battery is about 9 months old, Duramax Gold. If it's a bad battery, that's great, it has a 3 year warranty.

I really doubt it's the battery though... I haven't started troubleshooting yet because I just got home. So, I was hoping to get a few idea before I start tearing into everything. I don't have a multi-meter, and the wife just left for school with the only remaining running car, but once I get one (probably tomorrow) I'm going to check the voltage on the battery static, and while trying to crank. If everything turns out good there, I'll probe the starter next.

I have noticed that for a little over a week now, the car would turn over kinda sluggish for a split second, then fire right up with no issues. But, like I said, this afternoon, it cranked and died, and now won't turn over at all...

TIY for any insight. I'll let you know what I find as the final result.

 

Might be a bad connection to the starter or a bad ground, either way just undo the wires and sand down the contact points. Does the starter click at all when you try to turn it over?

 

click, like the solenoid went bad? No. If it was a bad connection or ground, it wouldn't turn over at all... It did for a second, then died. And, like I said, it's been kinda sluggish for about a week now I guess...

My honest guess right now it the starter itself died... but I won't know until I really get in there...

 

So, a quick look, and the battery is good. My buddy had a tester, not at actual multimeter, but something to that effect. Good strong voltage, and the starter does click once when trying to turn it over. We tried to jump it to no avail, but it did push start no problem. I'm really leaning towards the starter. Anyone have any other ideas before I go and drop a buck fifty for a new one?

 

is this a joke?....you not a newb if you been here since Aug of 09 with 3k post?

 

Haha.


For your problem, I'd look to the starter, make sure you are getting proper voltage down there. Make sure you're getting signal voltage with the key forward.

If those voltages are good (Battery voltage) i'd feel safe replacing the starter.

 

Yes, the newb part was a joke, a lot of people new to the site start with something similar to that.

The fact that my car is dead is not a joke...

Random, that's the plan once I get a multi meter.