The engine will turn on the starter, or with a wrench on the end of the crankshaft. However it will not run.
If the Timing belt breaks, when the engine is running, this can cause extensive damage to the engine.
If the timing belt was broken, obviously the engine would not run. If you crank the engine and the distributor does not turn, that would be a good sign.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO TURN THE ENGINE OVER IF YOU SUSPECT A BROKEN TIMING BELT !!!!!! If you have, you already have more problems than a broken timing belt. Remove the upper timing belt cover and physically look at the timing belt.
If the timing belt has broken the engine will not start. If the belt broke you will have internal engine damage as this is an interference engine. The belt must be replaced every 60,000 miles. a quick way to verify if the belt is broken is to remove the distributor cap and turn the engine by hand. If the rotor does not turn the belt is broken. You can also remove the oil fill cap and look at the valve train. If you see no movement when the engine is turned by hand the belt is broken. Of course if the engine is locked up the belt is broken as the valves are hitting the pistons. quick way to confirm a
Pull the distributor cap, and turn the engine over. It you see no movement, the belt is broken.
If the engine suddenly stopped the belt may be broken especially if you have over 100,000 miles on this engine and have not changed the belt. Remove the distributor cap and turn the engine over. If the rotor does not turn you have a broken belt, and you also have serious engine damage as this is an interference engine.
broken timing belt or chain....
Engine will not start and will turn over much faster than normal
Sometimes there is a re-set switch but the timing belt cover has to be taken off to find it, alternatively get the garage to change your timing belt and re-set the t.belt switch. Not changing your timing belt could result in a broken timing belt and serious engine damage.
One of the symptoms of a broken timing belt is the very loud sound that comes from the vehicle when you try to turn it on. Even though it is loud, the car will not start.
Take the valve cover off of one bank of cylinders, have someone turn the engine over, and watch to see if the cam is turning. If not, the timing chain or belt is broken.
Engine will not start or run. Whatever you do, do not turn the engine over with the starter. This is an interference engine and if the belt is broke engine damage has already occurred and trying to start the engine will just do more damage. Best thing to do it to remove the cam belt cover and see if it is broken. Another way to identify a broken timing belt is to pull the valve cover and watch the OHC cam or valves while the engine is hand cranked but I would not do this as you can do more damage. Rest assured if you have not replaced the belt in the last 100,000 miles it very well may be broke.
When you turn the key to start the engine will sometimes turn faster than normal and or sound like there is no compression in the cylinders . whir /whir/whir/