Car Starting Problems

Check fuel and spark

First make sure you actually did run out of gas (I know this may seem obvious but ck). Your fuel pump, I believe like mine, is easily accessed under the trunk carpet. You need to make sure that the pump is running (you should hear it). Next, change your fuel filter (should be under the car, underneath the rear passenger seat) , then check the fuel pressure with a tester (available at most auto stores). Check for engine codes on your dash by using the technique described in your Service manual (not owners manual). Your Bentley or haynes manual should easily guide through these steps. The books are pretty good at taking you through the troubleshooting.

Look at the lower rear end of the engine - follow the + battery cable Look at the lower rear end of the engine - follow the + battery cable

I can only tell you that the same thing happened on my 83 300D. The ingnition was just worn out. The ignition is encased in hardened steel and it cost over $700 to replace

Is it as simple as the wheels are cramped and binding the steering wheel?

You may want to try... 18436572.

you drain your battery when you leave your lights on

As in other answers it could be many things, the following is the checks I make when facing this problem.

1: Is there fuel?

2: Is there a spark? Remove number 1 plug, mark and remove the other leads, hold the threaded part of number 1 plug against the engine with insulated pliers, ask someone to turn the engine over. You should have a nice blue spark, if the spark is there but weak, regap ALL the plugs.

If the engine doesn't fire at this point then I would check the ignition timing. Its not that difficult to do. With number 1 plug removed (number 1 plug BTW is the one nearest the crankshaft pulley end) AND ALL OTHER LEADS REMOVED, turn the engine over BY HAND using a socket on the crankshaft pulley, look for the timing marks on the pulley and the casing covering the pulley. Some-people find it easier if these markings are marked with "Tipex" or white paint. These will line up twice, once will be the compression stroke the other will be the exhaust stroke. You want the compression stroke. When the marks are ALMOST lined up put number 1 plug back into its lead (but not into the engine) and hold it against the engine again. Turn the ignition on BUT DO NOT TURN THE ENGINE OVER, continue to turn the engine over until you pas the timing marks and see if the plug sparks. It should spark about 5 degrees before top dead centre, if it doesn't spark continue to turn the engine by hand until the marks line up again (or just before) and he first time you turned the engine it may have been on the exhaust stroke! Hence the second rotation.

If the ignition timing is out (highly unlikely as most are controlled by the ECU nowadays) see a specialist.

The other thing that will stop the engine from starting is if the valve timing has slipped. The easiest way to check it (though not entirely accurate) is to remove the camshaft cover, look at the lobes (the egg shaped things, there are 8 of them) above number 1 piston. Rotate the engine by hand, as above until the marks are lined up, now the "pointy" parts of the lobes should be pointing as far away from the valve tops as possible. If you continue to turn the engine over you see them starting to turn towards the valve tops.

The valve timing will only change if the timing belt has slipped/snapped. Either way it is a garage job to repair it.

The reason for a oil spray out of the front differential dipstick in a 1999 Subaru Legacy is because of the cold. While it was -30 the car oil thickened, when the engine started and tried to pull the oil through, pressure was created.The engine was not able to pull the thickened oil in and the pressure pushed the oil out of the dipstick.

change the blue box maybe.

Please rewrite. This is not a question and makes little sense.

sounds like the power transistor i just had the same deal allso could be the ECM

look up a manual for the fuses in the car. all you should have to do is pull that fuse out and your good. pretty simple

no power to starter on Nissan 300zx twin turbo

YOU HAVE WATER UNDERNEATH THE PICKUP SENSOR IN THE DISTRIBUTOR..PULL THE DISTRIBUTOR CAP UP AND SQUIRT WD-40 INSIDE THE DISTRIBUTOR AND THIS WILL DRY IT OUT..IF IT CONTINUES THEN HOLD A HAIR DRYER UNDER THE CAP BUT THIS TAKES A VERY LONG TIME..DONOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES TAKE OUT THE ACTUAL DISTRIBUTOR AS YOU WONT BE ABLE TO PUT IT BACK IN WITHOUT LINING UP THE CAM SHAFT AND I CANT BEGIN TO TELL YOU HOW TO DO THAT..ONLY REMOVE THE CAP..IF YOU STILL HAVE A PROBLEM GO BUY A NEW DISTRIBUTOR CAP AS YOU MAY HAVE A PIN CRACK THATS LETTING IN ADDITIONAL MOISTURE..IF IT STILL DONT WORK YOU WILL PROBABLY NEED TO GET A MECHANIC TO REBUILD THE DISTRIBUTOR. I HAVE BEEN THROUGH THIS MYSELF.

you have no idea what your talking about, theres no such animal a distributor cap on a 3.1 l buick century, its distibutorless.......

Yes. The composite/plastic tips crack. This in turns causes the wire connection to corrode. Replace it with an updated brass tipped version from saturn. Clean the connection or replace it if neccessary. It is also availlable from saturn.

There are two places you can find relay switchs under the hood is the power distribution box. Inside the car to the left of the steering wheel down low there is a pop out section and fuse box behind it. There is the relay switch for the clutch relay switch

The fuses and relays are under the hood. Looking at the from the front it would be on the top left in a black box.

Look in the owners manual for information concerning a "fuel shutoff switch." A security mechanism.

You may or may not have one. You will need to find where it's located and read the owners manual on how to reset it.

I have to shut off the ignition, all accessories, remove keys from the starter and press the reset button on the shutoff switch, wait a few seconds and then attempt to start the car again. If the car does not start after a few attempts, the switch may need to be replaced.

A bad switch will prevent a car from starting even when the battery and fuse are good.

A good switch shuts off the fuel when the car is in an accident or when someone is tampering with the starter.

you need a new truck

sounds like a fuel problem change the fuel filter first

It has a bad cam sensor.

You need to put your key in the "on" position and you will notice that the Security light will be blinking. Keep the key in the On position until the Security Light stops blinking and stays on. This will take about ten minutes; after the security light stays on steadily, you want to turn the key to the off position and then try starting the car again. The purpose of this is to reset the passlock system that the Grand Am's come equipped with. It can be quite annoying, mine once left me stranded in the Walgreens Drive-thru when i shut off my engine. I'm planning on installing a remote starter and a bypass module to see if that will work. Good luck :)

yes it can on short trips :a car needs at least an hour running to burn off the condensation in crankcase alone

The battery goes dead

you have a bad solineiod in your starter go get a new starter