My formula is appearing to have battery issues - but the catch is that the battery and charging system on my car continues to check out fine.

About 5 times in the last 3 years my car hasn't wanted to start.
I had bought the battery from Walmart and have taken it back there since it still has a warranty. Walmart has replaced it 2-3 times.

This last time someone "competent" enough to run the battery testing machine was working so they load tested it and whatever. They told me the battery was fine. I took it to Advance Auto and the load tested the car and charging system it checked out fine.


So where is this issue coming from?

Nearly every time it has been an issue I have been out and about running errands and after getting out of the car for a short time and trying to restart it I get the no starting condition. Turning the key just gets my rapid clicking noises.

My volt gauge reads a touch under 14, and I have verified that (at least the car is working correctly) the gauge and the actual voltage do match.

When I jump start the car, it is literally ready to start as soon as I touch the cable to the posts, I do not need to jump it for seconds, minutes or hours.

My big issue is this - "crappy" Walmart battery aside, what would be the odds of getting 4 bad batteries on a row?

I am hesitant to put money into a battery and have it not be the real issue.

Could this issue be the starter?
I have had starter issues with other cars and usually it's a "bzzzz" sound of the starter not engaging (or meshing) to the engine. This is NOT the same.

The starter solenoid?
I know nothing of this.

The ignition?
I have jiggled my ignition switch when I have this no start condition, but it didn't help.

Any ideas? Thanks!

 

Well...one thing you could try that is very easy and cheep is to get a tool from your local autoparts store that will connect your battery directly to your starter and try to turn it over the next time it won't start. It looks like a trigger and is handy to have on hand anyways. If you connect it up when it won't turn over and it turns over with the trigger than you solinoid is bad...just an idea. Other than that it may be a sticky relay...

 

Any idea what that tool is called?
Which relays may come into play while starting these cars?
Are they standard relays?

 

Bump for the after work crew.

 

I've had similar problems... thought I needed a jump etc.. turned out to be just poor connections on the battery "posts"... those side mount 8mm bolts are tough to get TIGHT...

simple as that for me the last couple of times it wouldn't "crank"... lights etc were working OK, but not enough "juice" to turn the car over.

 

Check your fuel pressure too, when you turn the key and the pump primes it should be between 41-47 psi.

 

So your problem is that at operating temp, sometimes the car won't start? And all you get is a click?

First try cleaning the battery post contacts, or replacing them. Then change out the battery cables, they can corrode. The clicking is the starter solenoid, and it's usually because of low voltage reaching the solenoid. It could be the solenoid itself, although I'd say start small and work your way there.

The tool TUFF LT1 is referring to is a remote starter.

 

Well car has and has not been at temp when it has failed to start.
I don't get a single click, I get a rapid succession on clicking.
Battery cables were both swapped for new (OEM) 5 years ago, and at about that time I cleaned all contact points on the undercarriage. (Battery post have been cleaned more recently).
I can't tell where the clicking is coming from to know if it is the starter, a relay, or something else.