Whats wrong with my car

Tiny
NEEDHELP26
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO
  • 20,000 MILES
Was driving my 97 mc z34 & it cut off I put gas. It acted like it wanted to start then we tryed to jump it nothing happened. When trying to start it, it just makes a rapid clicking noise
Wednesday, June 27th, 2012 AT 9:59 PM

2 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,871 POSTS
Sounds like the generator quit and you had bad connections on the jumper cables. The battery could have developed a shorted cell too, ... I mean, instead. Start by measuring the battery voltage with the engine off. If you can get it started, measure it again with the engine running.

If you find the voltage around 11.0 volts with the engine off, have the battery tested.
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Wednesday, June 27th, 2012 AT 10:23 PM
Tiny
DOCDTC
  • MECHANIC
  • 53 POSTS
By your description, this sounds very much like your battery voltage dropped below the threshold required by the electronics. First check the battery voltage-it should be at or near 12vdc. If low, jump start the vehicle and check while running- it should read in the 13-14 v range. I suspect your alternator has failed, and the vehicle ran on the battery till it dropped voltage. Begin by cleaning and checking your battery connections- then follow the above.
Hope this helps- Doc
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Wednesday, June 27th, 2012 AT 10:28 PM

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