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No starter operation my engine will not crank over?

Tiny
BIGGMIKE
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 SATURN VUE
  • 180,000 MILES
I've change the starter and battery but when I try to start it it still does the clicking sound and the starter dont turn over what can it be please help thank you.
Friday, January 16th, 2015 AT 2:56 PM

18 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
This sounds like one of three things. First it can be a faulty new starter. That is less likely so we need to test the battery and find out if the battery is weak. Here is a guide on how to get it load tested:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

Lastly we need to make sure the engine is not locked up. Use a wrench and put it on the crank pulley bolt and turn the engine over by hand. If it doesn't move then the engine is locked up and that is why it will not turn over.

Here is a guide that covers this issue in a little more detail:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

Here is another guide that will help with replacing the starter if you or others need that as well:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-starter-motor

Below you will find the process from the manual which will help as well.

Let us know if you need more info. Thanks
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Tuesday, February 9th, 2021 AT 10:38 AM
Tiny
WILLCOX5522
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2004 SATURN VUE
  • 13,200 MILES
I have a 2004 Saturn Vue 4cyl 5 speed. Recently I have had problems starting my car. I bought a cheap charger from Walmart for $30 and hooked it up and everything seemed fine at first. Now I am having to plug it in every night. The battery is less than 2 years old and I am unable to figure this one out. I checked to make sure there are no lights or anything that might be left on that would cause the battery to drain and have checked connections. The battery has tested good as well as the alternator testing good. Both were tested 2 weeks ago and the problem persists. Any suggestions?
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Tuesday, February 9th, 2021 AT 10:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
I would do parasitic draw test on it.
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Tuesday, February 9th, 2021 AT 10:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WILLCOX5522
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I am assuming that is something that a dealership would have to do? I have never heard of a parasitic draw test.
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Tuesday, February 9th, 2021 AT 10:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
Any good shop can do one it checks for excessive draws with the engine off.
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Tuesday, February 9th, 2021 AT 10:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ZAC10018705
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 SATURN VUE
Rolled 2004 saturn vue V6 on top. When try to start it the starter clicks once but that all it will do? Wat could be the problem? Has a brand new battery. Turn the key it just clicks once like started won't spin anymore
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Tuesday, February 9th, 2021 AT 10:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check battery and connections-if okay possible causes here could be the starter motor, starter relay, transmission range switch and ignition switch
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Tuesday, February 9th, 2021 AT 10:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
Just to add to this one also see if the engine is siezed up try turning it over by hand.
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Tuesday, February 9th, 2021 AT 10:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LOVETTISAIAH
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
  • 2004 SATURN VUE
  • 2.2L
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
My Saturn Vue wont start. Long story short it was because of running it with no motor oil. So everyone is telling me that its now locked up.

I didnt have any lights come on but the battery light (for a day or two). There was no over heating or smoking on/in the car. It just simply cut off when I was pulling into a gas station. Since then, I have changed the oil filter, replaced oil, and turned the crank pulley by hand to make sure the motor wasnt truly locked up. These are things that other mechanics have told me to try. The pulley turns, there is 3 quarts of oil in it to lube everything. And the filter is brand new.

When I try to start it all I get is one click and thats it, nothing else. What can possibly be wrong with my car?
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Tuesday, February 9th, 2021 AT 10:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,164 POSTS
If you can turn the crank pulley, it isn't locked up. Did you hear any knocking or ticking from the engine before it died? Have you checked to make sure the battery is fully charged? Have you checked to see if there is power to the starter when you turn the key to the start position?
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Tuesday, February 9th, 2021 AT 10:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LOVETTISAIAH
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Yeah, fully charged battery, starter is clicking and getting power.I talked to a buddy of mine and he said I couldhave flooded the engine trying. To start it alpt
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Tuesday, February 9th, 2021 AT 10:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,164 POSTS
When you turn the crank by hand, can you turn it fully around a couple times?
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Tuesday, February 9th, 2021 AT 10:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LOVETTISAIAH
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Yeah, not super easy to do, but yeah I can turn it around
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Tuesday, February 9th, 2021 AT 10:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,164 POSTS
I think at this point, make sure all battery terminals are clean and tight. Also, make sure the main ground from the battery to the engine block is clean, tight, and all cables are in good condition. If that all checks out, you need to pull the starter and have it bench tested. If it is getting power and not turning the engine, it may be bad.

Most parts stores will bench test it for you for free.

Also, a flooded engine wouldn't cause this. I asked if you could turn the engine because I have seen head gaskets go bad and fill a cylinder with coolant. As a result, there was what is called hydrostatic lock.

Let me know what you find.
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Tuesday, February 9th, 2021 AT 10:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LOVETTISAIAH
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Thanks, ill check that out tomorrow
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Tuesday, February 9th, 2021 AT 10:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,164 POSTS
Let me know what you find.
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Tuesday, February 9th, 2021 AT 10:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LOVETTISAIAH
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
It was the cables, knocked some crud off, cleaned and rehooked em and it started right up. Now im going to do an oil change and ill be good. Thanks for the help and advice!
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Tuesday, February 9th, 2021 AT 10:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,164 POSTS
That's good news. Let us know if you have questions in the future.

Joe
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Tuesday, February 9th, 2021 AT 10:43 AM (Merged)

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