Q: Car won't turn over

asked by on December 03, 2016

My car will not turn over I tested battery and it was no good so I replaced it and still nothing. How do I know if it is the starter or alternater ?

My car has 190000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Starter Replacement $169.22 - $1153.49 Get a Quote

This may potentially be a faulty starter solenoid or relay depending on the symptoms. The starter solenoid is located on the starter and has internal electrical contacts that transmit electricity to the starter. When this fails, it may cause a clicking sound and will not allow the starter to engage the flywheel when you turn the key. The starter relay directs power from the battery to the starter solenoid which then engages the starter when you turn the key. When this is not working properly, you may notice intermittent starting problems as you describe. Generally, when this does fail, it does so very randomly and usually without warning other than intermittent starting. The power from the battery will still power other accessories such as radio, horn, etc., but you may not have any power to the starter. I would suggest having a professional from YourMechanic come to your home to diagnose your starter.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Grinding noise from around engine
The grinding noise you are hearing, if what you describe lasts less than five seconds, is likely caused by the variable valve timing control actuator (VTC) being defective as per Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 09-010 dated September 2014. The TSB...
How do I add oil to my car?
If your vehicle is low on oil, you can add more. To do so, simply remove the cap to the oil filler, and add a small amount of oil. Check the dipstick to see where the level is, and repeat...
Car leaks oil after oil change
I recommend having a certified technician, such as one from YourMechanic, come out to your car's location to run a diagnostic inspection of your oil leak (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/oil-fluid-leak-inspection), and suggest the best path to repair.
At idle, on an intermittent basis, the rpm repeatedly surges and returns to normal
There a few things that can cause this situation on your car. The most common have to do with the throttle body and the idle air control system. The throttle body is the where your your throttle valve is housed....
Car in park shifter will move through gears but wont shift through the gears its stuck in neutral have emergency brake on so it wont roll
From what you've described, it sounds like the shifter cable (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/shift-selector-cable-replacement) came off at the transmission or the shifter. I'd suggest checking the shift linkage on the transmission to see if the cable came off. This is due to the...
Transmission slips during acceleration
Hey there. If you have manual transmission, this is almost certainly the clutch slipping. It is wearing out and used gently, it will propel the car forward, but it cannot hold the torque when you accelerate harder. The clutch will...
I just bought a used 99 Honda Accord V-6 2-door and I noticed steam or smoke coming from under the hood, at a drive thru
Hello, thanks for writing in about your 1999 Honda Accord. From what you've described, I think your issue is fairly simple. You probably just need a new thermostat (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/thermostat-replacement). However, to avoid any unnecessary repairs, I would recommend having one...
Rattling noise inside door when closing
Hi there. It is possible that while the door was repaired, that a spring or other mechanical component inside the door may have come loose and is causing your noise. The only thing I'd recommend is to have a professional...
on my bmw the engine malfunction light came on plus the warning message engine malfunction reduced engine power displayed and sin
You will need to have the computer scanned for failure codes since there may be over 100 possible codes that will point to the cause of the problem. You will then have a better idea why the vehicle will not...

Related articles

2012 Jeep Patriot vs. 2012 Honda CR-V: Which One Should I Buy?
The mid-size SUV is a great vehicle for getting a lot of people from one place to another, with a decent price point and pretty good ongoing fuel economy. While they are never going to get the amazing gas mileage...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You’re a Photographer
If If you are a photographer, and you’re considering buying a used car, the big thing to consider is the type of photography you do. Thanks to the advances in digital photography, chances are you’re not hauling around a lot...
The Best Used Cars to Buy for Dog Owners
Dog Dog owners are a special breed of drivers. When they shop for a used car they have a list of requirements that can be quite different from other drivers, which tends to make the process a bit of a...