I just picked up this Hatch and know nothing about cars... All the lights turn on (dim) and when I go to start it I get a click noise. Is this just a bad battery or could it be the starter? The car only has 120k on it.

My buddy said the timing is messed up on it... Not really sure if that would cause it to not start. Any help would be appreciated.

 

well it sounds like the starter is messed up, and the battery may also be low as well. get someone to try and give you a jump to find out if it is the battery or the starter. but first of all it would be a good idea to get the timing taken care of before you start the car as it could cause serious damage if your timing is off.

 

If your buddy is going off of the clicking sound meaning the timing is messed up then he is most likely wrong. It wouldn't hurt to pull the valve cover off and recheck it though before starting. Make certain the battery is fully charged and if it still gets the click sound just jump that starter and force it to turn over. After those things get back to us.

To check timing pull valve cover, drop LONG extension into cylinder 1 (closest to crank pulley)...turn crank pulley (counter clockwise) until cylinder one is at TDC and the little holes in each cam (by the cam gear end) are vertical. If cylinder one is at top of stroke and both of those little holes are vertical then you are set.

 

charge the battery. the starter will make click noises when the battery is almost dead.

 

Might be a dumb question... But.. How do I jump the starter? Thanks for the help.

 

put 12v to where the small wire plugs into the starter.

 

Sweet.. I'll let you guys know what happens.