Bad news. I put the key in the ignition and the car wouldn't start. Didn't even turn over. Finally started on the fourth try. What do you guys think it is? I'm thinking it's the starter. Any ideas?

 

Does it make a humming noise when you turn the key? If so, that's the starter.

 

could be the starter

 

It's been working fine all afternoon. Really strange. Anyone had anything like this happen?

 

that had happned to me actuallyy once....

i went to turn the car on and nothing, i tried again a few minutes later and it started rightup without a problem.

this happned over 4 months ago and has never rrepeated itself

strange

 

Id say its your starter. I know because I have to change mine tomarrow. Turn key does absolutley nothing. Sometimes it begins to start to crank before it finally starts. Somedays it just starts fine and dandy first crank no problem. Easy replacement.... will prolly take me 10-15 minutes most to do. Cost of replacement i dont know as i got one mine from a friend who had it lying around. Dont worry about it just get another one.

 

Actually, it's been working fine since that episode. No problems at all. That makes it more of a mystery but I ain't complaining.

 

Just be glad you don' t have to replace it on an SC4.

 

starter - brushes not contacting on certain angles so if your car shuts down and it happens that the brush is touching a burnt spot, doesnt run, but if initially touching a good spot momentum would carry it past that spot and thus flawless operation

ditto on the sc400 comment, not the 10 minute job like ths 300 (i shudder at the thought of replacing mine one day)

 

10 minute job on the SC300? Lucky you. It took me like 10 hours, took me forever to find that stupid thing. After I got it off, i couldnt get it out of the bay, I had to disassemble it in the bay then take it out.

 

Before you go digging around the starter, make sure the battery terminals are not loose. Start simple, then go looking for more trouble. That was my problem. Turn key, nothing, not even a click. For some reason all the radio presets and memory are fine, but the car wouldn't turn over. Got under the hood and accidentally tapped the battery terminal, and the clamps moved a bit. I tightened them (about 1/4 turn on the bolt) and have not had problems since. This was a couple years ago and never a starting problem since. Couldn't hurt to check.

 

Well, it happened again today. Wouldn't start on the first try but did on the third. Took it to dealer and I have a new starter now. Not too much damage, $375. Can't complain about that. Just wish it hadn't happened so soon after spending $800 on power steering pump 2 weeks ago.

 

375 total for starter and installation at dealer????

 

that sounds right

 

oh this is for an SC300 damn wish this price was for an SC400