# Why does my car not start? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** chevrolet, malibu\ **Created:** [March 16, 2010, 4:59am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-does-my-car-not-start/46167 "2010-03-16T04:59:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![rayon\_5](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/46a35a/32.png) [@rayon\_5](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rayon_5)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2010, 4:59am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-does-my-car-not-start/46167/1 "2010-03-16T04:59:36Z")
When I try to start my car it will not turnover. If I turn the key and not all the way it actslike it trying to re-set itself and ALL the lights on the dash and on the panel of the gear shaft begin to flicker and I here clicking sounds. It looks like something out of a horror film. What is the problem? ---
**Author:** ![mark9207](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71c47a/32.png) [@mark9207](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mark9207)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2010, 5:06am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-does-my-car-not-start/46167/2 "2010-03-16T05:06:42Z")
You probably have corrosion on your battery cables, a bad battery, or a bad starter. My vote would go for corrosion based on your description of the symptoms. See if it will take a jump, then go get it checked out by a good independent shop. It shouldn’t be too expensive to fix. ---
**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:** [March 16, 2010, 11:50am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-does-my-car-not-start/46167/3 "2010-03-16T11:50:16Z")
They’ve made Malibus for many years. How old is yours? It sounds to me like your battery is dead. I suggest you have it, and the charging system, tested. Many parts stores will test for free. ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2010, 3:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-does-my-car-not-start/46167/4 "2010-03-16T15:59:06Z")
You can remove the two battery connections and clean them with a baking soda solution FOR FREE!! For $3, parts stores sell a handy tool made for this purpose… If that does not cure the problem, have the battery tested, also free…