2003 Chevy Cavalier: Almost everytime I try to start it, it sounds like the starter keeps going on for a little to long on it's own and my clock is always reset like the battery died. A lot of the times I can even smell gas. It might just be a coincidence, but it seems to give me more problems when the gas gauge is nearing empty. The other day it wouldn't start at all. I could crank it like the battery wasn't completely dead, but my wife had to meet me with jumper cables and I was able to get it started.

I've checked the battery and that's good. A friend told me that it could be the fuel filter, but I haven't tried that yet. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks, Carlos.

The fuel filter has nothing to do with the battery and needing a jump start. You need to take a second look at the battery. Not sure how or what you tested but you need to measure the available CCA of the battery now. Remove all the cable ends and clean them with a mix of baking soda and water and wire brush them before reinstalling.




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     I already cleaned the cables and the terminals with terminal cleaner and a wire brush. I've also checked the water and I took it to a local auto parts store so they could check the battery, but that was a while back. I'll try that again tomorrow and let you know what they say. Could it be the alternator?

The alternator recharges the battery. If your having your starting problems while the car is being used, that would point to an alternator. If your problems are after the car has been parked, that points to a battery or something drawing on it when parked. Alway confirm the battery first and then test the alternator.




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     It turned out to be the battery. I can't believe that this problem that's been going on for months was something as simple as the battery. Thanks for recommending I get it checked again. The car's working great now. Thanks hammer time!

Carlos

Glad to hear you got it worked out. Thanks for posting back with the results.




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