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Car Starting Problems

Some of the common car starting problems stem from a discharged battery, a bad fuel pump (or no fuel), a weakened starter motor, or a broken electrical connection. Checking each part will help troubleshoot why the car won’t start.

5,524 Questions

What is wrong with a 1995 Honda odyssey when the fuel pump wont go and its not getting a spark and it wont move out of park?

Sounds like the electrical circuit from your Ignition switch to the gearshift solenoid is open, or the solenoid is bad. Be sure and have the ignition switch checked. Also check for a blown fuse that protects the ignition circuit.

I have change the instrument cluster on my 2000 ford windstar and now it won't start what could I do now?

It needs to be programmed(the odometer and to the current key your using) you will need to take it to a ford garage to have the replacement instrument cluster programmed. Hope this helps! been there done that.

In a four stroke engine the timing gears control?

The gears keep the cam timing in sequence with the crankshaft. So the valves open when their suppose to and no damage occurs from valve to piston clearances.

What causes a car to drag when trying to start?

Starter that is going bad, out of time, or weak battery.

What is an alternater?

Early automobiles had a "generator" to keep the battery charged. In the generator a magnetic field was established and the armature spun inside the field, creating the electrical current. Carbon brushes made contact with the armature and the electrical energy was transferred to the battery and other electrical devices. The generator produced "Direct Current" and was controlled by a set of relays called a "voltage regulator".

Shortly after the wide acceptance of the transistor and other solid state devices Detroit came up with the idea of using an alternator. In the alternator, the armature becomes the magnetic field and spins inside a set of coils. Alternating current is created as the magnets pass the coils, then the alternating current is converted to direct current through an elaborate arrangement of diodes on a "diode plate"

An alternator has many advantages, it's much more efficient, takes up less space, is capable of producing 110 volts (if you know how to wire it up you can plug things in) and it produces significant electrical current even at lower engine speeds.

The alternator too is controlled by a voltage regulator to keep it from producing excessive voltage and current, but modern voltage regulators are solid state and typically inside the alternator.

Why won't the engine start after a minor impact accident?

The "minor impact" was probably enough to trip the inertia switch that controls power to the fuel pump. Not knowing what type of vehicle you have, it's hard to tell where the inertia switch is located. Check your owner's manual or a repair manual (Hayne's or Chilton's) for your vehicle to locate the inertia switch (aka fuel cut-off switch).

1998 Silverado 1500 5.7L wont turn over checked starter and power to the starter all good Pulled plugs and turned crank manually and still no turn over any ideas?

I have jumped the power to the solenoid before with a screw driver or something to test them out (beware this will cause some sparks where safety glasses). Also if you can remove the starter some parts houses will test the starter for you. If it works you can rule out the starter as your problem.

Also, remove and clean both battery connections. I had the same problem and I found the positive connection had some corrosion in the threads of the side post battery. I was unable to see it until I removed the post. It was just enough to where the truck wouldn't start.

Your car wont start just makes a clicking sound?

That could be the alternator or the battery. Try jump starting your car with another car's battery. If it still does not start, it is probably the alternator. If it starts, your battery is dead.

What method did a car thief use to start a car if the steering column was busted off the file broken off in key slot and one wire stuck in key slot and the other just hanging?

Probably just a kid trying to steal his first car. There is no way to start a car just by cutting wires and sticking them into the ignition, also the ignition has a fairly strong locking mechanism in it, so a small file would be useless for trying to break the lock in the ignition cylinder. The most common ways of stealing a car would be either using a dent puller or similar tool to extract the ignition itself, or cracking the steering wheel lock and hot-wiring it, or on some vehicles it is as easy as breaking off the plastic around the steering column and gaining access to the (rack and pinion) or other control arm and forcefully operating it. If you have problems in your neighbourhood with theives I would suggest installing a car alarm, or moving. The bottom line: If a thief wants your vehicle bad enough, they are going to get it.

Answerthe file and wire werent ment to simply break the lock mechinism on the ignition he was going to pick the lock but the file broke in side but i don't think that he would have got that far with just a file and a wire with out a lock pick kit it is near impossible.

To whom it may concern: I use to be a professional car thief, it all depends on the make of the car. If it was a car with a steering tilt and the column was already busted then the thief most likely used his finger or screw driver to engage the ignition switch pin that is located on the left side of the steering column right behind the blinker switch which would take only 5 seconds to do, on the other hand if it was a Chrysler with a glow ring around the ignition a simple spoon or butter nife would do it 2 seconds is all that it takes and that's probably how the thief did it. In all in all it takes a professional thief 5 to 10 seconds and your car would be his. alarms don't always work a thief can bypass those , invest in a steering column lock & a club.

What else can be wrong with your Ford Escort if you changed the battery alternator spark plugs and ignition switch and it still won't start?

Answer On my 1995 Ford Escort 210,786 miles and still running great. There is relay under the passenger seat in addition the cut off switch in the back. The relay blew and would it not turn start. Replaced it started right up.You might also want to explore the timing belt. If it is broken, the car will turn over but will not start. Unfortunately, this can be an expensive repair. I had a 1995 Escort wagon that this happened to, and it cost about 150.00 + tax and labor to replace. Answercheck to seee if u have fuel and spark if that's not the problem then check for compression if one cylinder has no compression it might be a head problem. on 1.9l engines the valve seats are bad they have known to fall out and known to smash the top of the pistons.causeing the valve not to seat it is a manufacturing problem i know cause i work at a engine rebuilding company and we rebuild a lot of heads for these praticuler engines 1.9l ford
  • ** *** I was afraid you were going to say something like that... this is bad right? (the valve seats?) I definatly have fuel (I put my last $40 in before it died :( and I for sure have spark...) So if it is a manufacturing problem does that mean Ford wants to fix it for me?? ... lol So how much does that kind of work go for? any idea? p.s. thanx!! Amanda
Answercould also be the clutch switch, if it is a manual transmission, or possibly the starter or solenoid.

hmmm clutch switch.. I'll have to check that out.. oh I forgot, the ignition coil was replaced because it (supposedly) wasn't reading any power on the meter. Someone said that the _______ could have went out causing the ignition coil to go.. (Iam a lot of help, arent I?) Oh yeah and I forgot all about the LIGHT. The check engine light came on as I lost power the last time I drove my car :( It had come on a few months before and stayed on for about an hour and never came back. I didn't worry because the book said it was an "emmision control problem" possibly even just static electricity... I AM SOOOO CONFUSED!! I just want to say thanx to you guys because I really don't have a lot more cash to throw at this car.... and my friends all ACT like they know what they are doing but I am finding it harder to believe by the day...

--->>one last question, should I believe the mobile mechanic (who wants $125 just for an estimate) that "its probably nothing, he sees this a lot, because he works on Ford's more than anything...."

Answerdoes it turn over? if not, check the clutch or park safety switch. if good, check the solenoid. make sure you got good battery voltage to starter and solenoid and coil packs. remove a vacuum line from the manifold and spray carb cleaner or starter fluid in. if it starts, you have a fuel delivery problem, maybe (hopefully) as simple as a clogged filter. AnswerTry replacing the control modular located under the distributer. They cost approx $25. The escorts are notoriuos for this. You may need to buy a special tool to get the screws out AnswerAlso make sur the the air tube is tight from the MAF sensor to the intake. AnswerMy 1994 Ford Escort Wagon did this, and it too (or so I thought) had plenty of fuel.. However, there is a switch, called an "Inertia Switch".. It is located behind the side panel in the rear of the car (on the inside of the car)... There are teo plastic covers, one is the rear window washer tank, and the other side is the Inertia Switch.. It is supposed ot go off in a crash, stopping fuel flow, helping to prevent fires.. But, if you live in an area with bumpy roads etc, it can go off (trip) on it's on..Like a circuit breaker.. On the top of the switch, a red piece will pop up..Push this piece back down until it snaps back into place, then re try starting the engine.. HTH, Chuck101

Answer

Check the fuel pump starts up when you first turn the key in the ignition.If not maybe a new fuel pump is needed, but first check that the fuel pump relay switch isn't gone.If this is ok then go back to the fuel pump with a phase tester and probe the wires to see wether the pump is receiving power if it is then new pump, if not then you need to follow the wires back till you find power.

How do you stop the fuel pump fuse from blowing on a Ford Windstar?

Most likely it's a faulty fuel pump. It's probably worn enough that the moving parts require more force to turn, resulting in a higher current draw that blows the fuse.

What will make a car cut off but start right back up?

Maybe intermittent ignition. But more than likely it's a sensor. Possibly an o2 sensor. I've also heard of the EGR doing this too.

Why won't Truck won't start after replacing fuel pump?

Electric pump? May have to prime Turn key to "on" position for about 10 seconds Do this twice. Electric pump? May have to prime Turn key to "on" position for about 10 seconds Do this twice.

What you've got is a 1984 Chevy pickup and have power to everything even the lights work fine but it will not crank What should you be checking?

Start with a volt meter at the starter. Check to verify that voltage comes in on the BIG wire, and if that's working verify that you're getting voltage to the solenoid when someone tries to engage the starter.

If you have voltage to the solenoid when the keyswitch is in the "start" position, and the starter doesn't engage... it's the starter. If you're NOT getting voltage to the solenoid, check the keyswitch, wiring and the neutral lockout switch.

How do you drain the fuel tank on a 190e?

Well the way I just did mine was to loosen the 1/2" line to the fuel pumps and wiggle it off the Barbed fitting. But have a gas can or 2 ready with funnel. It is extremely Dangerous as fuel will shoot out quickly before you make it in to the can. Have no tools or any metal objects close that could cause a spark should they get dropped. 1st- Disconnect negative battery cable 2nd-Jack up the rear and place on secure type Jack Stands 3rd-Remove fuel pump cover to access the line 4th-Have empty gas cans ready 5th-Loosen clamp on fuel line 6th-Pull line off and quickly place line in can Now be so careful as to not make the 6 pm News!

Will car turn over if bad alternator?

Yes, as long as you have a fully charged battery and good starter the engine will start even if the alternator is defective. The engine will run until the battery looses it's charge, which it will. if the alternator is bad.

What might be wrong if a 2000 Acura RL will not start. There is a clicking noise coming from one of the relays and the battery is fine?

Check the starter solenoid, starter ground resistance, and voltage out of thesolenoid when activated. If the solenoid is not clicking then the issue is either the relay or the fuse to the solenoid.

What is selonoid?

A bad or incorrect word. A solenoid is a magnetic coil plunger that controls an attached switch or valve of some sort.

What if coolant leaked into oil and car now won't start?

You have a blown head gasket, cracked head, or both. The engine must be taken apart and head gasket & head possibly replaced. If you drove it in this condition for a long period of time you may have totally destroyed this engine and it will need a complete overhaul.

What could be wrong with a 98 Montero if it will start with a jump but dies as soon as the jumper cables are taken off?

Past experience would suggest an alternator. This is symptomatic of a totally dead battery. Charge the battery first. Try to fire it up again and if it runs now put a voltmeter on the battery while it is running. If the voltage shows as 12v or LESS then it is NOT charging. A properly charging system will show at least 13 or more DC volts.

1998 Ford ZX2 won't start what can you check?

If it doesn't crank, check the starter or the solenoid. If it will crank, but won't start, check for a "check engine" light. If the light is on, have Autozone or someone check it to give you an answer. If there is no light, remember, the first steps to checking an internal combustion engine are: Check for fuel; Check for spark; and check for compression. These are all necessities for gasoline engines, and they usually account for some problem when a car won't start. Once you figure out the "what," you can move on to the "why." I hope that this helps, and good luck.

Would a broken cam shaft cause a car not to start?

yes !it is a major component in the engine which lets the fuel/exaust gas in and out of the combustion area sooo.. with out the camshaft turning at or only a bit of it turing if its snaped then not only will the valves for the cylinders past where the cams brocken not go up n down they more than likely have stopped in a open position and if you have tried to start your car then you may just be looking at digging them valves out the tops of your pistons too and rebuilding the engine to boot .....sorry but hey ! you could be lucky and have a damage free engine type and then your only looking at replacing the cam and some rockers hope this helps

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