My question is: Is the car not suppose to start when theres not enough coolant?

Last week I fixed my problem by buying a new battery, thanks for all the replies. Now my car won't start again. When I was driving my car was acting funny like it was about to die. After a while of driving I saw the 'ADD COOLANT' light go on for a second and it went away. So I'm guessing my car won't start because it needs more coolant? Everything was fine so I think I just need to drain, flush then refill my coolant hopefully my car starts after. This time I'll do the tune-up and routine maintenance shown in the haynes manual. Too much work, no time for my car T_T. Are the lights on the dash trustworthy and/or accurate? (With all the different kinds of warning lights) Ok thanks.

 

The car will start with no coolant, half coolant, too much coolant or when filled with grape soda.

Your start problem is unrelated to coolant level.

What year and model is your car? Does it sit there and crank forever without starting or does the starter not turn?

 

I have a 1986 RX7. When I turn the key, I heard the engine trying to start for a while then all I hear was a clicking sound. This happened at night after work. My headlights, heater and radio were all on and I have below 12 volts, around 10 volts whenever they are all on so maybe it's my alternator? At some point my headlights felt like they weren't as bright, is it normal for my volts to go below 12 when all that stuff is on? My car felt like it would die out of nowhere. When I shift, sometimes it felt like I almost killed my engine for a split second then my radio turns off then back on, it's like my car turned off then back on.

 

Check the connections at the battery. It sounds like you have either a failing starter, a bad battery, or poor connections.

It is getting very common to find poor quality battery cables. The connections corrode and while the headlights and other things operate as they should, the current drawn during cranking causes a major voltage drop.

If the alternator has failed, the battery voltage will gradually fall as the car is driven. When it reaches the point it can no longer power the systems, the car will then stall and not have enough juice to restart.

 

I hope it isn't the battery again because I just put a new one last week, but it feels the same as when my battery was bad. I'll go get my alternator checked as soon as the rain stops. It's raining pretty hard, I'm not sure if its safe to work on my car and get my alternator wet or something.

 

Was the "bad" battery load tested before you replaced it? My point is you may not have had a bad battery in the first place. Poor connections, or a bad alternator are much more likely. Most parts stores can test batteries and alternators for you. As for the battery cables, baking soda and water will clean them up nicely.

 

Yeah I asked schucks to check and charge it. They said everything was fine but there wasn't enough amps so then I got a new battery. I'm thinking that my alternator is draining my battery so I'm going to the junkyard to ask them to check and rebuild it. If that's not the problem then maybe its the starter but I don't know.

 

like everyone is saying check your connections. I replaced my battery yesterday but i didnt have the same problems you do. Mine just didnt have enough juice to kick the car on. I heard the starter slowly turn over ''werm..werm..werm''. But anyway check your ground, specifically to the starter. Most of them are probably pretty bad but if that one is slipping from the battery or too corroded at the starter it would also cause those problems while driving.

 

Alright as I was trying to take my alternator out, I have no idea how to take out one of the wire from it.


I was using a socket wrench to get it out but it seems like there was no progress. I really have no idea how else it would get out.

 

A socket and rachet. Might even need a deep socket. Be careful not to lose the little washers under the nut.

And make sure you have the battery disconnected before touching the post .

 

So it'll just come off like any other bolt? I've been twisting and turning but it stays in the same place. I'll go try again.