i have this starting problem from a couple of days ago. each day i can start the car for the first time, but for the rest of day, it can't start, no crank, only clicking. but after this day, usually i can smell a litte bit of gas when i open the door of the car and it also can start again, and problems repeats. the battery is good since all the lights are on when starting. what's the problem of my car?
starter? distributor? fuel injector? sensor?
sounds like a low battery... you drain the battery by starting the car when you turn off the car the battery comes back anough to start car again but after time....
Charge the battery and try again
Xiaowei,
If the battery is good, if the lights stay lit brightly when trying to start, you could troubleshoot the starting circuit. Starter, starter relay, or starter switch. Something is not making contact. My unexpert guess is it's the starter, but you should test the circuit first to avoid unneccessary expense and inconvenience.
Wear safety glasses. Take care not to short-circuit the test wire by touching it to any part of the car's frame, or you could blow fuses, etc., and cause more of the same problems you're already having. If you have to crawl under the car, be sure to set the brake and chock the wheels. If you have to jack or raise the car, be sure to use a safe jack or stand. The tire-changing jack is not safe enough for this.
Assuming it's the starting circuit at fault, you can easily isolate the problem between the starter and the other electrical components that energize the starter. (I say 'easy', thinking of the large old rear-drive cars having plenty of space to get hands into where the starter is). While the problem is occurring, have an assistant hold the key in Start position. Check the voltage(s) at the starter terminal(s) with a voltmeter or 12v light bulb tester. If the starter relay is separate, there will only be one terminal on the starter, and it should have 12v if all is good except the starter motor. If the starter relay is mounted on the starter (as it is or was on GM cars), then the voltage at the solenoid (thin terminal) will be at ~12v if the starter switch circuit is good and the solenoid is either good or bad. The voltage at the solenoid output (large wire to the starter motor) will be at ~12v if the solenoid is good and the starter bad.
Do check the electrical connections for looseness or excessive dirt, just in case it's that easy. Very often, dirty or loose battery connections are at fault, but, you say the lights remain lit brightly and steadily, so that's not it. Again, take care not to short-circuit anything!
The gasoline odor should be a different problem. Such a problem should have no effect on whether or not the starter cranks the engine.
Good luck, let us know what you find!
--Rich
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