# Car won't start; battery good

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-start-battery-good/25847>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [January 31, 2009, 8:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-start-battery-good/25847 "2009-01-31T20:57:13Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![overland47](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/6bbea6/32.png) [@overland47](https://community.cartalk.com/u/overland47)\
**Post date:** [January 31, 2009, 8:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-start-battery-good/25847/1 "2009-01-31T20:57:13Z")

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My '96 Mercury Sable won’t start. The battery is fairly new and the fans and lights work, but the starter won’t turn over. All I hear is slight hum, and nothing happens

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**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\
**Post date:** [January 31, 2009, 9:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-start-battery-good/25847/2 "2009-01-31T21:07:53Z")

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The hum may be the starter motor working, but if the solenoid is faulty the starter gear won’t engage with the flywheel and spin the engine.

How new is a “fairly new” battery?

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**Author:** ![hd72mm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/9fc29f/32.png) [@hd72mm](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hd72mm)\
**Post date:** [January 31, 2009, 10:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-start-battery-good/25847/3 "2009-01-31T22:46:27Z")

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Also check insalated part of hot wire at battery.  
Enough power gets for lights but not enough for starter.

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**Author:** ![redtag](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c2a13f/32.png) [@redtag](https://community.cartalk.com/u/redtag)\
**Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 4:13am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-start-battery-good/25847/4 "2009-02-01T04:13:19Z")

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the battery may not be good, even fairly new, have a bad connection. Needs to be tested under load, clean terminals, etc. The alternator may be failing to keep it properly charged so output of it should be checked…expect 12.4 Volts at battery at rest then start engine and test, the output should be around 14.5 Volts If less, you need new alternator. Starter could also be bad, No solenoid engagement or you would hear clicking. Start with Battery and alternator first, then check starter.