# Car won't start periodically

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-start-periodically/46196>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** chevrolet, lumina\
**Created:** [March 17, 2010, 1:02am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-start-periodically/46196 "2010-03-17T01:02:42Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![bobby\_dean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b3f665/32.png) [@bobby\_dean](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bobby_dean)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 1:02am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-start-periodically/46196/1 "2010-03-17T01:02:42Z")

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I have a 1993 Chevy Lumina, 3.1 engine, with 69k miles. Lately and maybe twice a week after I drive it,then shut it off and try to restart after a few minutes it won’t turn over. Maybe a hour later when I try it again it will start right up. I have also had one instance when it lost power on a steep grade but kept running. I had a diagostic done on it at the dealer and no trouble found. Tonight when I tried to start it, it wouldn’t start but the fan came on and all sorts of clicking sounds under the hood. After trying it a couple more times it fired up and seems to run fine. I just can’t trust it not knowing when it might not start again and the dealer didnt have a clue. Please help!

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**Author:** ![missileman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/missileman/32/1366_2.png) [@missileman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/missileman)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 2:02am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-start-periodically/46196/2 "2010-03-17T02:02:28Z")

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I suggest removing the battery cables from the battery and cleaning the cables and posts. You can buy a battery cable/post cleaner at any auto parts store. Make sure the connections are tight when you replace the cables. I would also have your battery checked and the charging system tested. You can usually do that at a major auto parts store. If this fails find a good mechanic and they can get things right in no time.

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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:** [March 17, 2010, 9:22am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-start-periodically/46196/3 "2010-03-17T09:22:01Z")

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Also slit the coating on the red battery cable 2-3 inches to look for green crud in the cable, it could cause your trouble.