2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse Logo
Anonymous Posted on Jul 23, 2009

My car will start sometimes and then other times I have to keep

Turning the switch and it will finally start. When it does not start, I hear a click but that's it.

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mike loshbough

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  • Master 1,011 Answers
  • Posted on Jul 23, 2009
mike loshbough
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If your here just one click when you turn the key to start then i suspect you have a starter going bad.If you heard several clicks while turning the key over once then that would be a weak battery.:)

Steve Allison

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  • Mitsubishi Master 5,569 Answers
  • Posted on Jul 23, 2009
Steve Allison
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If your car has a separate starter solenoid, I wouldn't replace the starter just yet.
Things you should do 1st:
- A couple of dollars will buy a battery terminal and clamp cleaner, a female wire brush for the terminal (post) and a a male for the clamp. - Clean those (remove negative terminal 1st, replace it last) and try it again. - If that didn't help, remove the negative terminal from the battery (or solenoid if separate), access the starter (positive) terminal, remove and clean that. - Reattach the positive lead to the starter (or solenoid if separate), then the negative battery terminal and try to start again.
If these steps haven't helped and you now know where the solenoid is located, the cheapest multimeter (under $20 US at Radio Shack or auto parts stores) will let you check before and after the starter solenoid to see if 12 volts are at both points (input and output terminals) with the key turned (by a helper).
If the solenoid is working with the key at the 'start' position; 12 volts in and out, then go to one of the auto parts chain stores and ask them for a starter check.

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