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2001 Eclipse GS won't start, doesn't seem to be battery
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kiwasabi
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Jun 30, 2009, 8:16 AM
Post #1 of 9
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2001 Eclipse GS won't start, doesn't seem to be battery
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This is for a 2001 Mistubishi Eclipse GS with a 4cylinder engine (2.0 liter I believe) and automatic transmission with 130,000 miles.
Last night after returning from a 60 mile drive I parked my car by my apartment complex's mailboxes to get the mail, and tried to start my 2001 Eclipse GS and it wouldn't work. Everything electrical would power on when I turned the key to the on position (stereo, warning lights, headlights, power locks worked, power windows worked). But when I turned the key to start the engine I would get one clicking sound and then nothing else (if I held the key there I'd get a couple more clicks, though). I tried jump starting it but that still gave me the same result (full power, one click, and no engine start). The battery is only a little over a year old and it seems to be working fine. I followed some instructions online to test whether or not it's the ignition switch (turn key to on position to see if warning lights come on, then turn key to see if warning lights/headlights turn off, which they all did). Now that I've tried to start it so many times the battery is less charged so the power windows and power locks won't work.
Any ideas as to what is wrong with the car? It worked fine before this except one weird, notable exception is that a couple days ago my cd player stopped reading cds, so I don't know if that is somehow connected or if that is just my cd player going bust (the radio still works on it). I don't think it's the alternator because I've had a bad alternator in the past and my car isn't behaving in a similar manner. Anyway, any help is appreciated.
Thanks,
-Adam
P.S. I'd be happy to take pictures of anything if you'd like. I'd also be happy to try out any suggestions (especially any easy ones) for testing the car.
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Loren Champlain Sr
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/ Moderator
Jun 30, 2009, 11:46 AM
Post #2 of 9
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Re: 2001 Eclipse GS won't start, doesn't seem to be battery
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Adam; This sounds like classic poor connection problems, or just a faulty battery. The 'click' is usually a sign of low voltage. It doesn't take much amperage to illuminate lights, stereo, ect., but it takes a whole bunch to start the engine. Remove and clean the battery cables even if they 'look' okay from the outside. Have the battery load tested.
If all of that checks out okay, then will need to check the starter.
Loren
SW Washington
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 30, 2009, 11:48 AM
Post #3 of 9
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Re: 2001 Eclipse GS won't start, doesn't seem to be battery
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From your description I'd put my money on a bad starter. If you can get at the starter and you have a helper, try tapping on the starter with a small hammer while someone tries to start it. If that triggers the starter, replace it.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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kiwasabi
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Jun 30, 2009, 12:31 PM
Post #4 of 9
(3337 views)
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Re: 2001 Eclipse GS won't start, doesn't seem to be battery
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Adam; This sounds like classic poor connection problems, or just a faulty battery. The 'click' is usually a sign of low voltage. It doesn't take much amperage to illuminate lights, stereo, ect., but it takes a whole bunch to start the engine. Remove and clean the battery cables even if they 'look' okay from the outside. Have the battery load tested.
If all of that checks out okay, then will need to check the starter. From your description I'd put my money on a bad starter. If you can get at the starter and you have a helper, try tapping on the starter with a small hammer while someone tries to start it. If that triggers the starter, replace it.Thanks for your advice as well. I will see if I can get to the starter, and if I can, I'll give this a shot.
-Adam
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Loren Champlain Sr
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/ Moderator
Jun 30, 2009, 12:55 PM
Post #6 of 9
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Re: 2001 Eclipse GS won't start, doesn't seem to be battery
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No kidding? And, your reply would be? 
Loren
SW Washington
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kiwasabi
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Jun 30, 2009, 1:21 PM
Post #7 of 9
(3325 views)
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Re: 2001 Eclipse GS won't start, doesn't seem to be battery
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Well it looks like Loren was right; there was a ton of corrosion on the battery cable. I think I'll end up replacing the cable because I was only able to get a little bit of the corrosion off with some rubbing alcohol, but maybe I should try some coke or something. I've always heard people recommending coke for removing corrosion, but is that safe for the cables/terminals?
-Adam
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kiwasabi
User
Jun 30, 2009, 1:23 PM
Post #8 of 9
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Re: 2001 Eclipse GS won't start, doesn't seem to be battery
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Haha whoops, I had trouble with the quote feature on this forum apparently :-p. I was just saying that I was going to try cleaning off the cables, which I did, and that was definitely the problem. Thanks again for the help.
-Adam
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 30, 2009, 1:37 PM
Post #9 of 9
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Re: 2001 Eclipse GS won't start, doesn't seem to be battery
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Mix some baking soda and water solution to clean the corrosion. just don't get any inside of the battery.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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