Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting tour won't start

After 8 days of no use, When I try to start...When the key is moved to ON position I hear 5 clicks from the engine compartment near the back,middle area. Then when I turn the key further to start the engine I get screeching sound but no start...Please help.Thanks

Starter.

Read this.
http://www.contour.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=trouble&Number=1251861&Forum=trouble&Words=starter&Match=Entire%20Phrase&Searchpage=1&Limit=25&Old=6months&Main=1251782&Search=true#Post1251861

Can the starter go out suddenly or does it go out gradually. Before my 8 day holiday I started the car and parked it in the driveway..no problem. Upon return from my holiday it did this problem and the 5 clicking. What is this clicking sound and the not starting related to the clicking?

Sounds like a bendix problem on the starter. the clicking sound when attempting to start could be the starter ATTEMPTING to turn the flywheel with a low voltage, and the starter relay clicking over and over.

I agree with replacing the starter, as well, based on your problem description.

I got it started. It wasn't easy as the engine struggled to get going.. We used the car all day yesterday and started every time without any problems..very odd but atleast it is working.

Maybe your battery is about to "retire". I had a battery that would not allow listening to the radio or leaving the interior lights on, but it started the car fine until one day it didn't. Reserve Capacity dropped to zero. The starter could have an issue as described above, but I think it will still act up with good voltage (it did for me). If it acts up again, replace the starter to avoid chewing up the flywheel.