Little Bit of Trouble

[Jeepers]

So my car broke down this morning and my baby Cuvier's Dwarf Caiman is to be held at the local FedEx office tomorrow morning... and I have no form of transport at this point.

Trying to find out if my friend can help me but I haven't been able to get ahold of her by far. At the worst I'll have to take a taxi cab there.

[ilovemypets1988]

what exactly is wrong with the car
and what car is it, i maybe able to tell you whats wrong and how to fix it

[Jeepers]

Originally Posted by ilovemypets1988

what exactly is wrong with the car
and what car is it, i maybe able to tell you whats wrong and how to fix it

It seems to be the starter. 2004 Honda Element DX. Got a new battery, so that's not it. It won't start even with a new battery.

[ilovemypets1988]

is it auto or stick shift

[Jeepers]

Originally Posted by ilovemypets1988

is it auto or stick shift

Auto. My fiance looked at it, he's a car guy, though not too keen on newer models. He saw the starter but it's like.. under a bunch of stuff that makes it impossible to smack it with a hammer(trying the old hit it with a hammer a few times technique).

[ilovemypets1988]

ah yh i know it very well, but put it in any of the forward gears (D, 1, 2, etc), if it jerks when you turn the key, its not the starter, try that

[Jeepers]

Originally Posted by ilovemypets1988

ah yh i know it very well, but put it in any of the forward gears (D, 1, 2, etc), if it jerks when you turn the key, its not the starter, try that

He's going to go try it. He says he's not sure, but he thinks it may have a fail safe that prevents it from starting in gear.

[ilovemypets1988]

shouldnt have as the clutch wont be engaged but if that is the case, can you hear the engine turning over when you turn the key

[Lankyrob]

Originally Posted by ilovemypets1988

shouldnt have as the clutch wont be engaged but if that is the case, can you hear the engine turning over when you turn the key

With my auto you can only turn the key if the car is in neutral and the foot brake is being pressed.......

[SpOoKy]

shouldnt have as the clutch wont be engaged but if that is the case, can you hear the engine turning over when you turn the key

It is automaic. This only works with standard

[ilovemypets1988]

Originally Posted by Lankyrob

With my auto you can only turn the key if the car is in neutral and the foot brake is being pressed.......

oh thats a new system, never heard of it before until now, had worked on an auto saab, which never had this system on so didnt know about it

[Jeepers]

Originally Posted by ilovemypets1988

shouldnt have as the clutch wont be engaged but if that is the case, can you hear the engine turning over when you turn the key

With it in park, yes, with it in gear, it won't turn. He says it does have a fail safe. He says it's a child safety thing. I'm not the car person, so I have no clue, but when I was trying to start it you would hear the engine trying to get going and then dull out. After a few continuous tries all you hear is a hum or buzz noise.

Edit: What his father says, another car guy, is that the brushes have worn down inside the starter.

[SpOoKy]

What his father says, another car guy, is that the brushes have worn down inside the starter.

Sounds about right.

[Jeepers]

Originally Posted by SpOoKy

Sounds about right.

Now keep in mind his father is states away so he's not actually looking at it, just taking a guess based on his knowledge.

[ilovemypets1988]

dunno, that noise usually happens when the batteries flat or when the distributors clogged up, has he cleaned the electrical contacts on the starter, that may help, cant think of anything else that will cause that problem.

but you did already say that the batteries new, so it cant be that. so must be the brushes.