went to start my car this morning and when i turn the key a buzzing noise comes from the passenger side of the engine and the car doesn't start. i assume that it's the starter which i replaced about six months ago. i have power to the lights, gauges and everywhere else it seems. i haven't driven the car in about 2 weeks and usually drive it about every other weekend. last time i drove it the car ran/started fine. the car is at a remote location and i have no tools to mess with the battery connections or ground connections. the car has sat for two weeks after running fine. what is the deal?

 

Your starter relay (solenoid) is either toast, or your battery is dead.

 

Sounds like a loose connection or short at the starter.

 

Turn the key to the on possition and bridge the larger leads on the sides of the solenoid, if it turns over, your battery is fine. Watch out for sparks and the welding of the wrenches/screwdrivers you use to bridge it. =)

 

what could have caused the solenoid to go bad or the starter to short? thanks for the responses. i'll have to troubleshoot those things.

 

These parts are all mechanical devices that go bad from time to time. Try shorting across the solenoid, and if the starter engages and starts the engine, just replace the solenoid.

 

i turned the key to the on position and then walked to the fron of the car and bridged the larger leads on the sides of the solenoid, and got sparks, but the car didnt start. i had someone try to start the car while i looked in the engine compartment and the buzzing noise is coming from the solenoid. the battery is 6 months old like the starter. could the battery have gotten weak from not being driven? or maybe theres a electrical problem?


thanks