Need Help ASAP......................

[dillardweasel25]

I own an 85 Buick LeSabre Limited 2 door coupe w/an Olds V8 307. I just replaced the battery and the starter. The car did ok for a couple of days, but when I tried to start the car it would not start(but I did have power and everything), but it sounds like inside of the ignition there is a broken spring-like noise inside of it.
Since I am not mechanically inclined, I was wondering is there anything you can test before buying hundreds of bucks in parts to figure out what the deal is.
I'm limited on the amount of money I can spend, like under $100. I really don't want to retire my $800 car yet, but I'm kinda in a hard spot and rock right now. If it costs too much money, I'll just end up buying parts for my Chevy-to-the-levy truck.
IF anybody has any ideas, can you please send them to me.
Thank you for any suggestions.
Sincerely,
Reannon

[Truzi]

Is it like a clicking sound? Perhaps the solinoid is bad - did you get a new one when you replaced the starter?

You can test the starter - either take it to a parts store, as most will test it for you, or you can use wires to the battery... if you know what you are doing. We can tell you where to jump the wires, but you have to make sure you don't short them or let them touch.

[doc]

take a hard look at the battery cables. Look for corrosion at the terminals, rust, loosness ect.

[65specialconver]

take a hard look at the battery cables. Look for corrosion at the terminals, rust, loosness ect.

yes,just because you have voltage doesnt mean the cable/conection can carry the amperage to engage the starter.also check the ground cable where it meets the block/head.

[70aqua_custom]

i agree with all the above :Smarty: and have the charging system checked. If you install a new charged battery and your charging system isn't working you can get a couple of days before the battery loses enough power and it won't crank. All you need is a volt meter. Cheap ones are available if you don't have one. If you can get a jump start, when the engine is running turn on the headlights, wipers and blower and you should read at least 13 volts.

[nailheadina67]

That car is from my era working in the field.......sounds to me like maybe your alt belt may be slipping? If you can't spin the alt pulley with your fingers, motor stopped, then I'd start looking at the alternator. Perhaps it's not putting out full power and letting your battery get run down. Best thing to do is throw on as many accessories as you can, and run the engine around 1500-2000 RPM and check the voltage.....if it's below about 13.5, even maybe as low as 12 volts or less then she's not charging enough and you need a new alternator. You can get a cheap voltmeter for what you'd pay for a charging system test. :)

[dillardweasel25]

Ok, thanks for all your comments and suggestions.
I had to go to work this morning, and decided to start my car(if it would start), and on the first try it did start. So, I kinda wonder now if it the new starter I bought might have not been installed correctly(as I was not the person that installed it in the first place).
I'm thinking, that yesterday when it would not start(maybe it had something to do with the heat shield cover for the starter) since when I tried to start it, it was still warm a little.
When I started it this morning, it ran just fine, and there were no more noises or anything. It acted like there was nothing wrong with it. So, I wonder now.
The starter and battery were brand-spankin new(which I purchased about 5 days ago). I still think there is something off with my ignition, but I'm not sure what the deal is. So far, the car has started back up fine and dandy(and no problems yet). When I posted my first help question was about 12am this morning, so I had to go to work at the crack of dawn, and well I was curious.
So, I guess I'll keep driving the rig until it has another fit or whatever. I really want to keep this boat on the road for as long as possible since its a luxe car and floats like a cloud.
My other boat does not run. It has no motor, and until I get the money rounded up, I'll buy another motor for it, but for now, it just sits there collecting dust and raindrops as I have no where to put it under.
Thanks for everything.
Sincerely,
Reannon

[65specialconver]

if it only does it when hot,and your connections check out it very well could be the solenoid.the market is flooded with offshore & mexico cheap parts.the copper content is different than usa made stuff.get a solenoid made in the usa.if you cant find one local,i have them:TU:

[dillardweasel25]

Well, I thought I'd let y'all know that I drove my car quite a bit today and had no problems with the starting issue. So. (knock on wood) Maybe it resolved itself. Who knows?
Thanks again to everybody who replied to me.
Later
Reannon

[69GS400s]

Carry an extra quarter in your pocket - you may need it. If the car didn't start ... and you didn't do anything to fix what might have caused it ... and now it does start - I'm willing to bet it does it again, prolly at the most unopportune time.

Since you have it running now, it would be a good time to take the advice given above and test your voltage under load as well as inspect the cables going to the battery and the ground leads.

[photobugz]

I had this exact same problem & symptoms in my 67 Mustang. It turned out to be the positive battery cable from the batt to selonoid. The wire was good enough for everything except the starter... $7 fix.

[jbc455]

...Maybe it resolved itself....


If there's ONE thing I've learned in all my years of driving, it's that cars do not fix themselves. Find your problem before it finds you in the middle of the night. :)

Check your cables.

Check your alternator output.

Have a look at the solenoid.

Wow, that's basically the same thing Alan said. I must be trying to boost my post count. :) That's not it, I just don't want you to get stranded somewhere.

[69GS400s]

Wow, that's basically the same thing Alan said. I must be trying to boost my post count. :) That's not it, I just don't want you to get stranded somewhere.

Watts = Volts X Amps

....wait, what board are we on ?? :Do No: :beers2:

[bobc455]

Where are you located? Maybe one of us can have a look.

-Bob C.

[dillardweasel25]

Well, the problem happened to me again last Friday, so I ended up taking it to a shop. He replaced the ignition switch and it ended up not costing me an arm & a leg. I'll be getting my baby Buick back tomorrow. For y'all wanting to know where my home 20 is, I live in Douglas County, OR(like Roseburg area).
Other than that, if I got more questions, I'll consult y'all again.
Thanks again.
For everything.
Sincerely,
Reannon