Ok so here is the deal.

My 2003 cavalier base won't turn over and I am not sure if it is the battery or starter, or maybe even the alternator.

I tried to start it last night and it didn't turn over, so since its a manual i just push started it (on another note is this terrible for transmission?) I drove it home (about an hour or so drive) shut it off and tried to turn it on again. No noise, after the second or third time the vehicle started to click like the battery was dead, but the first time there was no noise.

Is this sounding a starter issue? I figured i would just continue to push start it and take it autozone or where ever to test the battery and see if that is the issue or not.

If it is the starter does anyone have recommendations as far as new, re-manufactured, or used?

If it is the battery does anyone have suggestions as to a higher performance one? My stereo and gadgets put a bit of strain on the battery and alternator and I wasn't sure if there were such a thing as a "performance" alternator/battery combination that would be better for my circumstances?



Thanks in advance!

For christs sakes dude ever heard of a jump pack or jumper cables?

First of all an alternator wont keep a car from starting unless its locked up or something, and if you where driving it thats not the case.

Heres the first thing you do... try to jump start it and see if that works. But since you've been driving it and it keeps running fine once its running its "probably" not the battery or alternator.... but either way use a volt meter on the car to be sure before you start replacing parts.

If everything seems to be fine.... make sure the car isn't in gear and have a Buddie give the starter solenoid a good wack while your holding the key on and see if it starts (can be done from under the hood dont crawl under the car). It sounds like your starter solenoid might be sticking.

It is more than likely the battery. Take it out and go up to whatever your local parts store is and have them test it. Its a 2003 it probably has the original one in it....

I'm voting for starter, if it did nothing, then it started clicking right after it's gotta be the solenoid.

I ended up taking it to autozone and had them test, then replace the battery, it wasn't the original one but it has taken some abuse from various stereos, amps, toys, ect and it was bad, it was holding a smaller charge but not enough to re-start the car, even after charging.

After replacing the battery I have had no problems, I am leaving that on reserve as a possibility in the future of going out.


Also is there any conclusive evidence about push starting a car being bad for the transmission?


thanks for the help everyone.




PS- mark a point down for Dan