Hey everyone,

As stated above, my sister's 03 ES with 120k miles won't start and there are no warning lights on. I just changed the oil, air filter, and cabin filter my self and had the tire store fix a slow leak two days prior to the car dying. It was smooth and had no issues the day of the maintenance, but the next day she complained how it struggled to get started. Then it wouldn't start at all the day after that.

I checked for any wires/hoses that I may have knocked loose, but nothing was. I tried doing a jump start, but it wouldn't even start with that. I tested her battery with a voltmeter and it came in at ~10.2V while unhooked. I threw in my battery at ~12.4V and that didn't work either. As a last attempt hoping it's the battery, I connected both up and still nothing.

I hear the clicking of the starter and the hum of the fuel pump, but still no go. I hear the engine try to crank roughly twice before it goes completely quiet. Wouldn't the starter still be clicking?

I've ordered new spark plugs (per 120k service requirement), but they haven't come in yet.

Any other ideas or diagnostic tests I can try in the meantime?

 

Your battery has a dead cell with 10.2 volts. You need to replace it.

 

I'd start with the battery. Might want to test the alternator if it hasn't been keeping the battery charged at 12V.

 

the fact your battery did no good makes me think FUEL. Check fuse to fuel pump, if good check the fuel pressure. You could try some starting fluid/spray to see if that makes it fire, to confirm no fuel

 

Turns out it was the battery. $85 and a quick fix. I'll take it!