Hey guys,

I have a 1998 V6 and it will not start. It just happened randomly one morning- this has never happened before and it started fine just a couple days ago.

When I turn the key to Start, I hear a quick buzz (kinda sounds like the buzz of a starter) for literally a split second before it stops (~0.01 secs). At first I thought it was a bad battery since it's 6 years old, but after replacing the battery I have the same exact symptoms. I measured the voltage of the battery and it reads about 12.47. I tried jumping it and it doesn't help.

Could this be a starter issue? It almost sounds like the starter just doesn't have enough muscle to keep turning once it hits the flywheel. Is that a possibility? The dash lights turn slightly dim when the starter gets stopped, and then come full bright again when I return the key from the Start position.

What do you guys think? I bought a starter today but I'm hesitant to put it on unless I know for sure it's a starter issue. Is 12.47 volts too low? It's a new battery...

 

You might exchange the starter relay in the relay box on drvr side strut tower.

 

If you've got a new starter already, can't hurt to go ahead and install it. I would also do the relay that everett mentioned. These cars are getting old honestly. If it's in question, go ahead and rebuild/replace. That's how I'm playing my car out so far.

 

I got it started. Strangest thing ever. Here's what I did, in order:

Replaced battery, didn't start
Tried jump starting new battery, didn't start
Replaced starter, didn't start
Found broken ground wire near starter, replaced it, didn't start
Replaced relay, didn't start
Replaced positive terminal connection, didn't start
Shimmed the starter, didn't start
Replaced my battery again, didn't start
Tried jumping it again, started.

Not really sure what the real problem was, it just doesn't make much sense. But it's working fine now!

 

sounds like it may be in the battery cable, or cable end. they can get a coating on the cabel ends that interfears with the connection. if you dont get it scrapped off good it can fail anytime. not sure if 98-up has one but on 93-97 there is also a power junction box by the battery, small red plastic box, the wire ends there can get corosion on them as well and not get good connection.

 

I've also had this happen if the ground was tight as can be. It was tight enough to get good power for the radio and a good reading but as soon as I'd hit the key it was like everything died. Turned out the ground terminal was a tiny bit loose.

 

just a small amount of corrosion on the side post guessing they are , did it to mine ,my neg just need the bolt replaced recently,or cleaned off would have worked but I had new ones like night an day