Prizm sat a few days-Wont start...

[Shawn5800]

I let my car sit for about 3 days, which is unusual for her. I drive her 70 miles a day. But anyways, i get in. Turn the key and it just clicks. And every time i turn the key it dims my radio out and lights on the dash like the battery is dead. So i keep trying it. This time holding the key for a few seconds. And it starts right up. So then i drive it about 30 miles and then i have had no problems since. It seems to start right up. But im afraid that it will happen on a morning before work or something. With a new job i cant afford that happening.....

It cant be the battery, cause it did start right up, it just clicked and made a whining sound when i hit the key. Maybe a bad spot on the starter? Is ther possible?

[Clayton1984]

You have a dieing battery. Your car started back up after the 30 mile drive because your alternative provided a fresh charge.

You should buy another battery.

[Shawn5800]

But if it was dead why would it all of a sudden turn right over?:

[bail_w]

I think its time for you to replace the battery, it won't do any harm if you had that battery for more than couple years.

[burnout8488]

I'm not going to jump in and say it's immediately the battery, because it might not be.

Has this happened multiple times? When the interior lights are dimming, that means the current is going somewhere but isn't turning the engine over. This should happen when your car is starting normally, too.

Perhaps it was a bad spot on the starter. If it was a bad battery, you would hear a continuous clicking sound while holding the key. I'm assuming it just clicked once, which would be the solenoid on the starter engaging, but correct me if I'm wrong.

I'd say the starter is at fault here.

[Shawn5800]

Yes thats what i thought to. I have had many bad batterys before. And they all have made a rapid clicking sound. This one was a very loud single click that sounded like i just stuck a screwdriver into a wall outlet and shorted it. But after a few tries it must have spun the starter coil enought to get a good spot? .....

[Bitter]

check the terminals and cables for corrosion, could be a bad starter solenoid contact. common problem, easy to rebuild.

[Clayton1984]

Easy test is for you to take the battery somewhere to have it load tested. It's a simple test that will determine if your battery is on its way out.

[kylehondarider]

It's most likely your battery terminal connections. Remove the cables from the battery and clean them, and when you put them back on make sure they are tight.
Kyle

[Shawn5800]

I will definitely clean the terminals tomorrow guys, thanks for all the help. Its really wierd. I have not had a problem starting since that day. I think my Prizm really hates sitting....She just loves to "open up" on the back country roads here. Haha. I would hate to see what would happen after a week or so of sitting..

I am so in stuck when it comes to wanting to buy a newer vehicle because my Prizm still runs fine, sure its doggish acceleration and awful body roll is sucky but....She still runs quiet and reliable. I took a 2001 Taurus for a ride today and it was such an improvement power wise and comfort. I am on the edge of going to a Taurus and skipping on a overpriced used camry...

Thanks again for the help!

[Bitter]

do not get the Taurus unless you like to replace transmissions....regularly.