Tried to start my mom's car (avalon) this morning and it made a zapping noise, kinda like a stun gun going off. Every time I turned the key, it made this noise. What could be the problem? Doesn't seem like a battery issue as the radio still works.

 

Starter.

Find it. Smack it with a rubber mallet. It'll probably work for a little while but you're gonna need a starter.

 

ok thanks!

 

could just be the starter solenoid. the starter motor itself rarely goes out, but the solenoids are a failure point. that said, you may not be able to buy the solenoid by itself. in that case, new starter.

 

you might take a whack at the solenoid first. Usually easier to get to and often the problem... and it's cheaper.

Couple tap taps and give it another try.

Also double check where the lead wire connects to the battery... my cable snapped and I get the same sound when I try to start my car.

 

LOL! Great minds and all that jazz...

 

If it does not work the first time you hit it, use a bigger hammer.

 

Sounds like solenoid as was said, but just because the radio works doesn't mean the battery has enough charge to turn over the starter. Does it seem to crank fine all the time, or does it start to get slower after a few consecutive tries? If it gets slower, may still be the battery. If stays the same, then starter. If battery, you should be able to jump it or push start it if it is a stick.

 

i would try to jump it 1st to make sure it's not a battery issue. if the same thing happens it's probably the starter like everyone else said, you guys say solenoid but isn't it usually directly attached to the starter? one and the same i thought. Are they seperate parts on some cars?

 

Are your parents out of town?
If so well.. Ask your Dad on how to start it.

..lol

 

This is what happens when you don't work on cars, Marshall.

 

Nice trollin' **** tards. Dude has a general problem, and sure you can probably even google it, but he asked the community. This isn't the "Should I have an intake?" kind of question.

Appreciate the dick heads above, old.failure and 2camsam.

Nice job. It was almost as nice as the every post stayin' on topic 'til you said to ask your pops.

That's a cool story bro, I teach, you'd be surprised of how many the kids have daddy in the jail and not a real "go to" for advice.

 

We go back a LONG way. Worked with him forever. That's how I josh with him. Don't jump to conclusions.

 

Congrats on your teaching. I did that years ago. I also work in the HD world. I work with people out of jail or daddy in jail all the time.

And you really need to lighten up a bit. No one came in here calling anyone names. So chill out a tad. KTHXBYE

 

Fail #1) So let me get this straight, dude posts on here he knows the guy personally and goes back years? Then why didn't he call you for advice or PM you? Nice.

Fail #2) Other dude picks out NAME calling as the issue instead of the himself as offtopic. Nice try on redirection. I'm glad you got out of teaching. You'd be a great disservice to the our kids.

So not only did you troll the topic, you decided to throw reason that your idea was OK to be off topic. I'll join in on the fun.

I rolled down a slight hill in 2nd gear and popped the clutch and was good.