[Rolis]

ok im having probs wit my car itll start up sometimes and other times it won't. and when i finally do get it to start itll be running fine and then i park and try to turn it back on it wont other times itl start like shaking when im driving. i changed teh baterry and it still does the same.

[GreenFaleen]

have you checked your started that could be it.

[Rolis]

no i havent how do i check it

[GreenFaleen]

I'm not sure on that I just know thats one thing thats a problem a lot of times.

[Rolis]

alrite well wat else can be the prob

[Rolis]

alrite well wat else can be the problem

[GreenFaleen]

umm not sure ignition wires maybe or your alternator.

[Rolis]

i dont think its the alternater cuz i have lil less than a year wit it

[GreenFaleen]

oh umm spark plugs might also be a possibility.

[Cricket]

check the teeth on your starter, check to see if your alternator is holding a charge, spark plugs may need changing. Since it does start I don't think it would be fuel related, but if your worried about that too. Change your fuel filter, and also get some fuel injector cleaner.

[Rolis]

well i try to look at it later cuz its snowing out rite now

[Cricket]

Starters and alternators are tricky little buggers. They can be brand new, and not work. So don't count them out. If this happens in the cold then I would def check your alternator. Sounds like it's not taking enough of the amps since it's cold.

[Rolis]

what do u mean by the teeth on the starter and how do i know if the spark plugs need to be changed

[Cricket]

starters have teeth on them. Here, this should help.

Originally Posted by http://news.carjunky.com/how_stuff_works/how_car_starters_work_cs2356.shtml Electric starter – this is the modern starter motor and it is a series wound direct current electric motor with a solenoid switch that is similar to a relay, mounted on it. When the low-current power from the starting battery is applied to the solenoid (this is usually through a key operated switch), it will push out a small pinion gear on the starter motor’s shaft and meshes it with the ring gear on the flywheel of the engine. The solenoid will also close high current contacts for the starter motor and it will start running. When the engine starts up, the key operated switch is opened and a spring in the solenoid assembly will pull the pinion gear away from the ring gear, and the starter motor will then stop. In modern starter motors there is a “bendix” – which is a gear and integral freewheel, or an overrunning clutch. This will enable the flywheel to automatically disengage the pinion gear from the flywheel when the engine starts.

[Cricket]

Usually about once a year or so I will change my spark plugs.

[Rolis]

umm i really did not get wat u wrote but ill read it over and try to understand it so wat spark plugs should i use or does it matter.

[Tlord18]

A good test of an alternator is go in your car, start it up, and rev it past 4 or 5 grand. If the headlights dim or the battery lights pops up, then its time for a new one.I just replaced my alternator which was very easy and took about 10 minutes to do.BTW If my sig. is huge, i am trying to resize it but for some reason it wont. Sorry :wink

[Rolis]

its all good il try out wat u said

[Cricket]

Also check your amp guage on your cluster...if it starts to drop a lot your alternator is not keeping a charge. Your guage cluster will also lose light before your lights dim more and more. Well atleast mine will...probably a little more evident with my guages though.

[breakout831]

I would give the car a good tune up with good plugs/wires. Maybe a new fuel and air filter. That should do it if the car is actually trying to turn over. If you're turning the key and nothing happens...then it could be battery/alternator/starter.