Hey fellas,
Of all time for my car to not start up, after I spend all my $$ on black friday deals

1999 v6, manual trans

I Get in the car, turn the key to on, all the lights and battery turns on, my speedometer/meters go all the way to the max then back down. So I step on the clutch and turn the key. Sounds like the car is starting up but maybe it doesn't catch a spark or something idk. But I hold the ignition and it fails to start, then i hear clicks, just as long as I hold it.

No idea what's wrong with my car, what should I check first? I last changed my plugs about 2500 miles ago. Could It be my starter? Or alternator? I changed my alternator with a used one about a year ago.

I'm clueless and again, i'm pretty much ignorant when it comes to cars.
If anyone could throw anything out there, that'd be great.

ughhhhh

 

Sounds like a battery problem or dirty terminals.

 

I'll check out my battery terminals tomorrow nd clean em up. Luckily i was at my friends house up the block when it wouldn't start. Thanks for the input tdpower.

 

You're welcome, the sweeping of the gauges is a sign of low voltage and resets. It will do the same if you disconnect your batteries.

 

"sweeping of gauges" meaning, when the gauges go to max, then back down during startup?

 

yes, if you just turn on the key they will go all the way up and come back.

 

Yeah it sounds like you don't have enough power to turn the starter.

 

Alright, Just got back, uhhh my terminals weren't exactly clean, but i've pretty much scraped all of the corrosion i possibly could. There really isn't any more on there thats more than the ordinary. The gauges still sweep, still it cranks like once now then i hear the clicking noises.

Could It be my plugs? Whats the chance of ALL of them going bad at once lol... just throwing that out there. Also, haven't changed my spark plug wires since last last summer. About 12k miles ago.

Should I try to jump it? Its up the block and I sorta want to get it to my house cause its cold as **** to walk all the way there and back to check on here =\

 

Take a multi meter and check the battery voltage. If it reads around 12v (plus or minus 0.5v) I would start looking for a starter. If it dosent take the battery to a local part store for a charge and test.

 

Try to jump it. If you successfully jump it, you know it's your battery or alternator (probably battery)