Won't start, need help ASAP

I'd like to say thank you in advance. I'll also include the dash lights below. Long story short, starter won't make any noise, aka no clicking, tried jump starting it and nothing happened. I'm guessing it's either my battery, fuse, or starter. Still pulling fuel but nothin happens after that. I don't think it's the battery otherwise it would have worked with the jump, but I may be wrong. Ideas?

Still have original battery. Just by the way

What year car? An original battery could be all it is.

Could be you didn't keep the cars hooked up long enough...give them 5-10 mins. hooked together with donor car revving slightly.

2004 325. If nothing else I'll change the battery

Use multimeter and measure bat voltage...or the cluster test will probably work for you too...search SolidJake and cluster test...he's got a youtube vid on it.

You can replace bat and that might be it, but you can figure that out for sure. Also, check cables for tightness and corrosion...also very common to have a problem because of that.

Cluster test passed. All lights worked and all dials moved. What does that tell me though? Looking for my multimeter. I have one somewhere around the house but that might take me a bit to find it

Ah...sorry...the cluster test for voltage...not for cluster. I use that term generically as it's used around here most of the time.

It's function 9, iirc.

If the car doesn't make ticking noises or try to turn over when jumping, it's not the charging system or battery.
Fuel system or ignition system won't prevent the engine from turning, so that can be ruled out.

You can try bump starting the car and that will determine if it is the starter or not. If the car doesn't start when you bump start it, it is the something related to EWS, the immobilizer system.

The battery could be so dead it wouldn't click even. I know when mine battery was weak it would click, but I'd imagine there's a point where it wouldn't even click...and if he's got corrosion from under the +terminal, he'd have power at the cluster but not at the starter.

I don't know the symptom for a bad ignition switch, but you can find that searching. Bat isn't ruled out quite yet.

You have a 9 year old battery, that could be the cause, maybe swap out batteries to see

I checked the voltage with my multimeter and I got 12.42 volts and I read that the starter needs 12.6 for it to start. So I just changed the battery, still doesn't turn over or start. I rolled it down a hill and it started in reverse so I'm guessing it's the starter. I think I am going to take it to a shop either now or tomorrow morning. Guessing I'll do rrt only because I'd feel more comfortable but I'm open to most anything

If you'd asked you could have saved the cost of a battery. Where did you check the voltage at, the battery or under the hood?

In any case, have you checked the things I mentioned? Cable under the + terminal, for instance. Grounds? Starters do go bad, no doubt about that, but it's a pitb to do it seems and/or expensive. Checking cables and grounds is free!

Start with the starter relay.

where in va im available to help

I still have the old battery so I can replace it and return the new one easily to get my money back. I checked all the grounds, wires, connections to the battery, etc. Everything is basically brand new.

I'm in Fairfax. Right behind the inova fair oaks hospital

Originally Posted by agillzz

I'm in Fairfax. Right behind the inova fair oaks hospital

Want me to come look?

Did you remove nut to the +terminal and look under it at starter cable (which is what's under that nut)?

If it's starter, then banging on it while cranking sometimes gets it to go.

I think the starter 'relay' is what's referred to hear as the starter solenoid, which I believe is replaceable on its own, but if you haven't been down to bang the starter while cranking yet, give that a shot...that will tell you it's the starter (if that gets it to start) before you bother with it.

And, although I don't think a different key will make a difference, if you have one, give it a try. Also search 'no start' threads (advanced/title search)...you might come up with other odd ball possibles that you might be able to easily check.

check the clutch switch...

Originally Posted by Nerdy46

check the clutch switch...

Nice! See, it takes a village!