I have a 2004 and all of a sudden the car wouldn't start. All I heard was clicking noises. The lights worked. I got it jumped and it started fine so I drove it home which took about an hour with no problems. Stopped at a store and picked up a new battery. When I got home I turned the car off then tried to start it again but it wouldn't start. I replaced the battery and it started fine so I left it and went to sleep. In the morning it wouldn't start again. I didn't have any time to troubleshoot this morning since I had to get to work somehow but would this be the starter or the alternator? If it was the starter shouldn't it not start when I jumped it or replaced the battery? Could it be the alternator? I drove it for an hour without a problem though, doesn't the car get it's power from the alternator while it's running? I don't know I'm confused...lol When I get home I'll measure the battery and see where the voltage is at if I can get it started again but just trying to figure out what it is before I start replacing wrong parts. Any help would be greatly appreciate it! My baby has over 135k and it's still running strong! Well up to now...lol

 

One more thing...whether it be the starter or the alternator, can I use aftermarket parts? If so which company do you recommend? I've heard a lot of people having issues with aftermarket starters that's why I'm asking. Thanks!

 

If you got a jump, then it started; changed the battery when you got home, then it started fine that night, but then it won't start the next morning, it sounds as if something is draining the battery.

 

Yea that's what some other people said but how do I go about finding out what's draining it? Also, someone told me the battery could have been on the shelf at the store for a long time with a low charge and my alternator couldn't charge it? These things happen at the worst times.