Won't start. Strange electronic chime.

[keith.s]

Since a couple of weeks the car won't start on the first try. The problem is usually in the mornings or if the car has been parked for a long time. It just "clicks" and there is no cranking.

Got the battery checked (after I had driven for a while, though). The report says good battery and good charge voltage. The technician said "get the electricals checked, something might be discharging the battery".

Today I had to try about 6 times to get it started. Now here's the funny part. When it finally started I heard a strange electronic chime / tune "BEEP BOOP BEEEEP" !! WTF was that!? No warning lights on the dash.

PS: It's winter here. Temps in the single digits. Usually its 30-50 degrees C rest of the year.

 

[impulsive]

could be a starter solenoid blocked or on the way out, is it manual by any chance

 

[keith.s]

No, it's an Auto. How do I check the solenoid?

 

[ivabiggen]

If it was DOOWA-DIDDY-DOO i could help ya out dude but don't know that tune your cars playing.

 

[keith.s]

LOL! I could've been doowa diddy doo, wasn't pay much attention this morning. Sounded like an 80's arcade game over tune.

 

[DylanWillo]

Just a suggestion but on my 4wd i had a similar problem where it would just click click click every time i turned the key, later found out after a battery check that the terminals that go onto the battery were actually stuffed, check that out could be the problem??

 

[keith.s]

The ACDelco battery guy would have caught that I guess. Anyway, will have a look for corrosion.

 

[impulsive]

i know the sound you mean, it is hard to explain, the starter solenoid is protected by a heat shield underneath the passenger exhaust manifold, which unless you have removed it, is covered by a heat shield..

if it was manual i would suggest the solenoid could be choked up with clutch dust and not working correctly. Still could be an issue there. Turn the ignition on to accessories, open the bonnet as short the starter solenoid out, if the car starts, then its not a starter related issue, meaning it could be an immobiliser or key issue

 

[DylanWillo]

The ACDelco battery guy would have caught that I guess. Anyway, will have a look for corrosion.

i thought that too but its not what they look for "apparently" ohwell good luck anyway mate