2001 ES trouble .... :(
 

My wife just called. Her car will not start, but all the lights are on (so its not the battery). Doesnt even try to turn over... wierd... guess i get to have fun when i get home... what would be best place to start? Starter?

yeah, starter would be my first choice. Was there anything going on when it stopped? Heavy rain? off-roading? driving like a female? (sorry karen, but you know it's true!)

I would do this simple step first......Make sure the car is in PARK and then try to start it. You'd be surprised how many times my wife made this mistake in her 3S

Lets see, she drove it umm.. 1/8 mile to her mom's and parked it... went out to leave... nothing... her dad (who actually is a mechanic) is going to look at it later today. He says its possibly the battery - too weak to start, but lights still on.... I was just thinking it would still "try" to start...

it would try...if it has enough power to light the lights it'll dim and slowly spin when starting..

have her check to make sure it's in park first......seriously.

I'm figuring if it is a simple fix, her dad will have it done before i get home - after getting a good laugh... but if she calls me again at work, i'll tell her to double check :)


Problem solved - sorta... corrosion on the battery cables! (didnt even think of this) - Her old car ('92 DX also did this) - what causes this? and what can i do to prevent it? (my MSP doesnt do this)

my 02 pro has corroded wires.

On the cables or the terminals ???

Buy better cables and get the little felt pieces that go under the terminals...gold plated terminals can help with corrosion issues too

On the terminals - gonna go buy some better stuff when i have time. working 6:30-7:00 all week, going to wedding in mountains this weekend - no time left for anything!