Car won't start.

[ShagFestiva]

About a month ago I was having some problems with my battery constantly dying. Everything would be going fine, then I would turn the car off to get gas for example, and when I tried to restart, the battery would be dead. I got a new battery and everything was great without problems for about a month. Last night I was at a gas station and when I went to start, it turned over slow a couple times and then died. I got a jump and on my way home, it seemed like I was losing power, lights dimming and engine sputtering. Today I went out to start my car and nothing, so I got a jump from my dads truck. With the jumper cables hooked up and his truck idling, my car still wasnt getting any power, only turning over very slowly. I checked my fusible links, and they were fine but I put new ones in and still nothing. The battery is charging now, and I am about to take the starter apart and clean it up. The alt. belt is loose, so I am going to adjust and tighten it...could have been slipping but that still doesnt explain why it wont start with a jump. My dad thinks it is the cables (alt, starter and battery cables). What do you guys think? Sorry if I seem like im rambling but I just want to be detailed.

[wybnrml]

Yeah might be cables, my battery on my car was dying and the negative cable was loose, also same thing with our Jeep, negative cable was bad, both cars have no problems now.

[GenevaDirt]

you just may not have had a good connection on the jumpers....very easy to have happen. It most likely was the loose belt or you may need another alternator. You could have it checked at autozone for free, if needed.

[ShagFestiva]

yeah I think I might take the alt. to autozone. Can they check starters also?

[GenevaDirt]

yeah I think I might take the alt. to autozone. Can they check starters also?

I believe so...but that is probably not an issue. Just my opinion.

[murrillcg]

yeah I think I might take the alt. to autozone. Can they check starters also?

auto zone can check starters.

[ShagFestiva]

anyone else thinking the battery cables? Or should i not worry about that until I have checked everything else?

[WmWatt]

Do you have a voltmeter? It would show if the alternator is charging the battery at idle along a few other useful things.

[ShagFestiva]

i dont have a voltmeter but I should probably get one...

[FestYboy]

yeah you should, $3 at harbor freight!!

[ShagFestiva]

Well i just got the festy running....took off the starter and took it apart making sure everything was ok. The braided wire between the starter motor and the solenoid was very frayed and when I was taking the starter off it broke completely. I fixed the problem, but when I put the starter back together, I put the little plastic fork in upsidown and when I tried to start the engine it grinded and made awful sounds. Took it apart, fixed it and now its beautiful. Tighted up the alt. belt too so hopefully it should be good to go.