Today's been a good and bad day for my 04 Acura TL Navi which I bought 2 days ago.
I polished the headlights, let my sister drive it to her friend's house, and later she calls me and tells me the car won't start.

Lights work, navi turns on, everything looks good except for the engine starting part.
The jumper cables didn't work, tried to jump start the car with the minivan.

All I get is a click when I try to start the engine.

The worst part is, the car is left at my sister's house.
If the car was stuck in my own driveway it would make me feel slightly better.

Anyone experience this problem?
I'd like to have my car back in my driveway without a tow truck.

Thanks

 

Do the lights dim when you try to start it?

 

Well, I'm at home right now typing this, so I can't just try it out.
I believe when I tried starting it the lights didn't dim.

 

Check the starter circuit.

 

If the interior lights don't dim it's likely the starter, especially if it makes a noise like you say.

Have someone hold the key in the start position and tap on the starter.

Is this a manual or auto?

 

It's an auto, and I can't try to start it because it's at my sister's friend's house.

When I was there, I did try tapping on the starter with the hammer, but not while trying to start it.

Does it only work while trying to start the engine?

I also concluded that it was the starter also.

I appreciate all the help too =)

 

If it is a dead/bad cell then all the lights and such will work but the car will never start. Might even be difficult to jump. I'd start by testing the battery since that's easier and cheaper then going after the starter right away. If you can yank it out of there just about any parts store can load check it for you. If it tests OK and it's still the OE (2004) battery then it's probably toast soon anyway

 

Okay so I just went to check on the car (coincidentally, my younger sister has a birthday party right beside my older sister's friend's house, so I dropped her off and told her to keep an eye on the car).

I tried tapping the starter while someone turn the key into start position, but no luck.

I do hope it's the starter because the person I bought the car from is coming up here (2 hour drive), and buying a new starter tommorow.

I also have friends that are skilled in automotives to help me out tommorow also.

I really do hope we get the engine started!

I also notice the navigation system prompted for a code.
Luckily I have the codes.

My battery is OE, also.

 

I would have to agree with Adobeman. If it's prompting you for a navi code, the battery is gone. A bad cell will prevent you from jumpstarting too.

Just yesterday I left my dome light on for 14 hours. When I got back to my car the engine would not turn over but all of the electronics came on. However, mine did not get dead enough to require the codes even though it would not turn the engine over.

OEM batteries are known to fail early. Mine lated 1.5 years.

 

One more thing, if you have to get a new battery, get one that suits your climate. I've learned that if you live in a hot area, the higher CCA batteries will not last as long. Get the minimum (stock rating or a little higher) CCA battery and you should enjoy a little more life from it. If you live in a cold area, enjoy the extra CCAs.

 

Good news!

Today, a good friend came over and brought a starter over.

In order to remove the starter, we had to move the battery & its platform.
The battery platform was so difficult to remove.

Replaced the starter, started up the car first try, and it worked wonders.

Paid the friend $100.

Thanks for all the help guys.