Car Won't Start - Dash Lights Flicker Rapidly

[doylna]

[I tried to search, but received a memory allocation error message]

I went out to start my car this morning, and the car wouldn't start. It's a 90 Accord, bone stock. The battery and alternator were tested about 3 weeks ago, and were both within normal ranges.

When I try to start the car, the auto-seatbelts roll up over my shoulder, the radio turns on, the interior lights (clock, etc) come on (so the battery is still good), and when I turn the key there's a click, and then the dash lights flicker rapidly, and the car doesn't start.

Does anyone have any ideas? I should note we had a big snow/ice/sleet storm earlier this week, and I haven't tried to start the car in about 6 days.

[Ralphie]

Well i know one thing you could check is the starter....sometimes the brushes wear out and it needs to be replaced.

Pop the hood, get a screwdriver, have someone sit in the car. Tell them to try and start it, while they do that tap on the starter with the screwdriver....it will either start up right away or it wont. If it does its the starter, replace. if it doesnt start then its either dead or not your problem.

Check fuses too to make sure it isnt something small.

Hmmm thats all i can think of.

[Otto]

Sounds like a loose/bad battery connection.

[NAiL05]

Sounds like a loose/bad battery connection.

x2 give that a look see first.

[doylna]

Thanks all, those that said it was battery connection issues were correct. I cleaned and tightened the connections on the battery, the car started right up.

Thanks for the fast help.

[Otto]

No prob. Glad it was easy and free for ya.
When I was just starting to learn about cars, I had the same problem. Instead of checking simple stuff, I replaced the battery, only to have the terminals come loose again. Ya live and learn, and help others when ya can.

[Ralphie]

No prob. Glad it was easy and free for ya.
When I was just starting to learn about cars, I had the same problem. Instead of checking simple stuff, I replaced the battery, only to have the terminals to come loose again. Ya live and learn, and help others when ya can.

exactly. Thats an awesome attitude, i wish more peeps had that kind of attitude.


Anyways yea, keep those terminals clean and free of acid buildup.

You can clean it with vinegar or soda or get cleaner from da parts store.

I sprayed mine down, put the felt pads on there and it has been fine ever since.

[CB7EX-R]

thats an easy one lol.....it makes a horriable noise and then shes dead..bad ground wire ususally

[doylna]

I sprayed mine down, put the felt pads on there and it has been fine ever since.

What function do the felt pads serve? I threw them away when I installed my new battery 3 years ago, now I'm thinking I should go buy some more.

[doylna]

lol, same thing again.

Is there a way to prevent the corrosion on the battery terminals?

[NAiL05]

Grease.