Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Car Won't Start (I've searched)

I've searched, but nothing seems to fit my problem.

I was driving on the interstate today and heard what I can only describe as a high pitched "hissing/squeeling" noise that would increase in pitch as the RPMs increased, and decrease when the RPMs did. It lasted for about 3 minutes that I know of. It wasn't really loud, and I only noticed it because I turned off my radio so my wife could answer her cell phone.

Anyway, it seemed to be just fine other than this noise. I stop at a home improvement store to pick up some stuff, and went back to the car about 10 minutes later. It won't start. It won't even turn over. It won't even try to crank.

I have good electrical power, everything on the dash lights up like it should, but when I turn the key to start the engine, the absolute only thing that happens is the "brake" light comes on in the dash. Nothing else. No click, no whine, no crank.

Battery was replaced about a year ago, alternator about 9 months ago, fuel pump (not that it seems related at all) about 2 years ago.

This is a 99 SE with the 2.5L Duratrac.

Could the starter be so shot that it doesn't even turn at all? Seems strange (but I've seen other strange things with cars) that it worked 20 minutes earlier to start the car. Just looking for ideas as they are going to tow the car to a shop in the morning, and if there is anything that I can try before then, that would be great. Too bad I didn't just drive home. At least I could mess with it here with my tools and such.

Thanks all!

OK. I just got the call. The noise I heard was the starter engaging while I was driving 65 MPH. Lasted about 5 minutes and died. I also noticed late last night when I tried to look at it a little better that two leads coming off of the left side of the battery were stuck together. The larger one had the plastic sheathing melted off. Ends up, that they fused together. Not sure if the starter went bad first and caused an overload that melted the wires, or if the wires melted together and fried the starter.

The place wants $670 to fix it (which includes the cost to tow it 4 blocks).

I am going to be gone for the next few days, but I will need the car when I get back. So I won't be able to do the work myself. Am I getting ripped here by the shop?