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In answering the question, "Why does a car start, but not run?", I have no information on year or make. If the car has a 12 volt system and is a pre-computer model, a likely answer would be due to a faulty ballast resister in the ignition system. The ballast resister is wired to the positive side of the ignition coil. When the engine is cranking, full battery voltage is applied to the coil primary winding to provide the hottest possible spark for the plugs. Once the engine begins to run, voltage is applied to the ballast side of the resistor, reducing applied voltage to the primary circuit, thus prolonging life of coil and distributor points. This explains why the engine will start but cut off as soon as the key is returned to the run position. To prove the diagnosis, a simple trick is to run a small jumper wire from the positive terminal of the battery to the plus side of the ignition coil. If the engine starts and continues to run, the ballast resister needs to be replaced.
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∙ 14y ago
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Will faulty oxygen sensor make a car not start?
No. It may run poorly but it will start and run.
Will your car start if the timing was off?
Yes it will start and run, but it will run roughly, and you won't have much if any power
Why would your car start and then run for approx 5 min then die and not start back up?
Depends on the car....what is it???
How do you start a Mercedes when you run out of gas?
You can't start a car if it has no petrol in its tank.
How long should you run your car after a jump start?
The car boosting should run for ten minutes or so. The car with the dead battery will need to be charged for 8 hrs with a battery charger, but as long as the battery is good a 1hr run will likely allow the car to start again.
How will a car with low transmission fluid run?
It will start to slip
What do you do when the car is run out of gas and won't start after you fill it up?
Let the fuel pump run for a minute or two. The car should start when the fuel system re-fills with fuel.
Why does your car only start with a boost and will only run if you hold the gas?
Weak car battery
Can ecm in 1997 Nissan Altima cause car to not start and lights and horn not to work?
Crank but not start and run, possible. Not to crank, start or run, no. No lights or horn, no.
Why does your car start run rough then stall?
Check fuel and spark
Why won't car start but lights work?
Because your car runs on gas but your lites run on a battery.
IF you have a blown head gasket on a 95 Pontiac grand am will your car start?
The car will start but it will run rough and will probably overheat and cause worse problems.
