Nickh36

hello every one, I have a 2004 tl. The engine turns over slowly but won't fire , (almost does) . The starter gets too hot and the battery seems to die so I have to let it Cool down and charge the battery back up. I have a good battery , new starter and fuel pump. The only difference I notice is the breaks are harder so it seems I have to push the break harder to shift from park to neutral. Could the computer actually think it's in drive but in reality it's in park ? Any suggestions would be nice , thanks!

Crashmaster

Obviously if the engine cannot crank fast enough, it won't start.

Do the battery cables get hot when cranking? Just because you have a new starter doesn't mean it isn't bad.

Put the headlights on and try and crank the engine. Do the headlights stay bright or dim quite a bit when cranking?

Is there any difference when you crank the engine while being jumped from another car?

As for the brakes; without starting the engine, there is no vacuum assist, so the normal function would be to have a harder pedal. No problem with the brakes.

Nickh36

Yes the negative from the battery to the frame does . I noticed a ground from my motor mount to my frame was corroded, I replaced this ground. I also bought a new battery negative wire. I know I'm getting good ground now to my starter. As for the headlights dimming while trying to crank the engine ,I'll have check that one . There is a difference while I'm jumped with another car , basically my battery charged I get to try and start the motor only about 4 to 5 times seems like the starter gets very hott and it will barely move , with a good battery and the starter not hott, it turns over and almost starts... thanks for the info on the brakes , it's funny how you never think about these little things until you have too!!

Nickh36

Also , when I turn my key to 1 pos motion, the blue dot says I'm in drive, but I can actually move my gear selector all through the gears and it shows me which gear I'm in. So my question is could my trans be engaged and it's too much load for the starter to try and turn over?

Crashmaster

I would suggest that you use your jumper cable and place one on the negative of the battery and the other end on a good ground (engine block). This will in essence replace the negative battery cable. It is looking more and more like a bad starter.

As for the vehicle transmission engaged: I would not worry too much about that yet, your neutral safety switch prevents it from cranking when in gear. Dash gauges act funny when the battery is low. I would not worry about it, yet.

Nickh36

Ok I will give it a try , it's raining here down south (all week) so usually when I get off work I have just a little bit of time. I bench tested the old starter and the bendex came out, however it didn't have a load on it. I replaced it anyhow , but I never tested the new one . I'm hoping the problem is a starter, and nothing in the motor , thanks for your input , I'll post when I retry to start .

Crashmaster

Most auto parts stores will bench test your starter for free. I suggest that you remove it and just take it to your local Advance Auto to let them bench test it. Free is always good.

Nickh36

Ya that's true!, I'll do that today with my old starter and new one, thanks , I'll update soon!

Nickh36

Update: my starter tested good as well as my battery. My car won't roll freely down my driveway when it's in neutral. I'm thinking somewhere arround there lies the problem

peter6

If transmission is in neutral or park it shouldn't matter for the engine, as it should be disconnected. If you crank in neutral, car doesn't move right?

Take the serpentine belt off. Maybe something is locking up, and because of additional resistance engine can't turn over.

Nickh36

It won't crank in neutral or park , in neutral the car rolls but not freely. You actually have to give it a little push for it too roll. My other vehicle in neutral rolls back very fast in my drive

thoiboi

sized flywheel or something?

Nickh36

Maybe so . I might have to look into that

NBP04TL4ME

Just make sure you don't have a caliper hung up or something else keeping your car from rolling freely before you start looking into seized flywheels, etc.....

Nickh36

I never thought to look at that , thanks I'll check that out also

thoiboi

reason i said seized flywheel because he said started having issue. so maybe the starter is either weak and can't turn it over, or it's seized..


or i'm just talking out of my ass.

NBP04TL4ME

You may be right, He mentioned his car wasn't rolling freely and needed a push to get it moving. I just thought it would be a good idea to rule out some of the simple stuff first before getting in too deep with his diagnostic work.

Nickh36

Update: After checking all electrical system and installing new grounds and battery posts, and purchasing a new starter.....the problem was a froze alternator, After disconnecting the belt , the motor turner over quickly with no problem. Thank you all for your input. This site is a great way to communicate about issues and problems!

NBP04TL4ME

Congrats!

Now you need to figure out why you car doesn't roll freely -