i've had my crossfire limited for 5yrs. 2day i went to crank it and it won't start. i keep hearing a clicking noise. the lights were low but the radio still came on. i tried to get a jump and it gave it some juice but i kept hearing the clicking noise. is it the alternor or should i just buy a new battery? HELP!

 

take the battery to autozone or advance auto parts and get them to check it, If the battery has a dead cell replace it if not then it's the alternator.

 

ok i will try that. i just hope they don't sell be a battery and then i find out it's my alt. thx anyway! manisusmc

 

you should have been able to jump it regardless. The clicking noise if probably the starter solenoid not fully engaging. Once started dirve it to Autozone or while running you can disconnect the negative side of the battery. if it keeps running you probably have a battery problem and if it dies you have an alternator problem but best to have it checked with the right equipment and Autozone will check it for free.

 

I personally wouldn't attempt to jump it anymore. Take your battery out of the car and have it checked. It may have to be charged first if infact a defective alternator run it down, but doubtful.

5 years on a battery, I would replace it anyway. I just replaced my original in my '04 and it wasn't giving me any trouble, but I didn't want to find out somewhere on the road when it decided to go south.

Just a note whether some agree or not: If you have a dead battery in a car, when possible, always use a battery charger to bring it back up. An alternator is designed to maintain battery voltage, not bring a battery back from the dead. A dead battery puts an extra heavy load on the alternator that could shorten the life of it. Now if you need a jump in the middle of the night in a dark alley to get home, that is another thing.

James

 

ok... but the only thing is, i can't even get it started. i will probably take the battery out and let them check it. it's sounding more and more like the starter. while i was charging it, the lights and everything worked perfect. i just tried it again and i'm still hearing the clicking noise and the lights are diming pretty bad!

 

Sorry Lantana, but with today's electronics on these cars, I would never disconnect either battery terminal with the car running. When the alt has no where to put the energy, who knows what it may spike.

James

 

If it is doing this even after charging the battery and trying to jump it, it most likely the starter or starter solenoid.

 

If the lights are dimming bad, you have a bad battery or bad conection. If you have an internal shorted battery, even a jumper/charger will not work.

Does your battery charger allow you to start the car while charging? Does it say so? If not, you will eventually blow your charger.

Here is one thing you can do to diagnose the battery at home. Disconnect one or two of the terminals. Directly hook up pos and neg jumper cables from one car to the disconnected battery cables on your Crossfire. This way you are eliminating your Crossfire battery completely. Be sure you have good connection and they are not touching anything to short out. If the car starts, you have a bad battery.

James

 

Disagree, it is fine to do this, but it doesn't sound like a charging or battery issue anyway.

 

well i guess i will get it towed to the dealership. i'm gonna take the battery to autozone 1st. but i doubt if thats the cause.

 

If you have a bad starter, I would be very suprised. James

 

I have been doing this stuff too long for someone to tell me that your proceedure is fine. An automotive electric shop would laugh their a$$ off if you told them that. James

 

I had a friend that did this and while disconnecting it the battery literally exploded. The entire bottom, thank goodness it was not the top, was gone.

NOT recommended.

 

yeah, but i just don't understand the clicking noise. if the battery was dead nothing would come on. but my dome light will still come on and the radio still works. i really hope it's not my starter or alt. it's only 5 yrs old with 60,000 miles on it. it's probably my battery.

 

Call around for an Interstate MPT-91. You are running on borrowed time at 5 years and 60k.

The battery can have enough voltage/amperage to operate accessories, but when you try to activate the starter solenoid, it kills the battery. (most of the time)


James

 

i'm gonna try autozone 1st. i didn't drive it for 6 days last wk. maybe the battery has gotten weak from just letting it sit.

 

thx guys. just bought a new battery and it crank right up. now if i could only get the bas esp light off of my dash.

 

I just had the exact same thing happen to last weekend. I had left the lights on and battery died. Got a boost and no problem. Drove over 200 kms and everything seemed fine. Next day go to the store to get my Mom's day gift and came out and clickity click....thatr's it. Tried to boost......same clicking.
Replaced the battery and have been good to go ever since. Thankfully cause I thought it was the Alternater but no issues since the new battery.

 

If you havent cleared the BAS/ESP light yet....turn the steering wheel stop to stop and it should go away.

MikeR