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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
Why will a 1988 Jeep Cherokee not start after changing the injector o-rings?
it probably has air in the fuel line i would turn the key to the run position then bleed the air out of the shrader valve located on the fuel rail ( it looks like a tire valve stem ) then try to start if that dosent work i have seen some Cherokees that you had to use starter fluid to get them to start then they act normal and start on their own after that.
What causes battery to spark and jumpers to melt?
The current passed through them was too high. Possibly they are cheap cables, (many of them on the market today.) - Cables should be at least 10 gauge wire. Mine are 6. The thicker wire, the better quality your cables are. Anything thinner than 12 gauge is dangerous,.
How do you replace a starter on an 97 Acura 3.2 TL?
The starter is located on the top of the engine, on the driver's side under the intake manifold. You remove the rear manifold mounting bracket to get to it.
Starter problems when the car is hot?
No, the starter has nothing to do with the engine overheating. Possible causes are.
- Low of coolant
- Thermostat stuck closed
- Cooling fan not working
- Blown head gasket (very serious, stop driving the car)
- Clogged radiator
Why does my starter motor stay engaged even when I turn the key off?
I'm looking for the same answer but mine is for a Plymouth Grand Voyager.... I'm looking for the same answer but mine is for a Plymouth Grand Voyager.... I'm looking for the same answer but mine is for a Plymouth Grand Voyager....
Why won't the key to a Ford Expediton turn the ignition?
check the starter what year is it , if the key has a transponder chip and you are using a dup made at a wallamrt it won't work.
Why a 1994 Isuzu Amigo will turn over but not start?
Could this be a fuel filter or fuel pump problm?
Your car turned off while driving and will not start what could it be?
Very well could be the ignition module but before replacing it check to see if you are getting spark to your plugs if so then that is not the problem . please include year make and model and motor to help answer these type of questions
Dude, sounds like overkill. There is a button under the dash that you depress and you'll be able to start car. If its OEM equip there's a way to disable alarm and still use remote key. to find button (run left hand down the outer edge of dash where padded dash meets hard plastic - then slide to the right and feel or look around . It may be black and hard to find - its small)
== == == == I also have a 1998 subaru legacy outback with the factory alarm system. The alarm was stuck on. The remote buttons seemed to stop the alarm while the button was depressed but it would continue after the button was released. I was not able to turn the alarm off or start the engine. I tried disconnecting the battery cable, and when it was reconnected , the alarm picked up where it left off. The whole time the alarm sounded muffled and not as loud as normal. We used a jumper battery pack. The alarm got louder when that was connected, and i was able to turn it off with the remote at that point. I bought a new battery and that seemed to fix the problem until today. (about 1 week later) The alarm went off as soon as i shut the car off. The remote button would not shut it off. This time however i WAS able to start the car with the key. I drove it home and when i shut it off that time, the alarm did not sound. Not exactly sure what the problem is. I was parked on a slight hill. Dont think i accidentaly hit the panic button or anything. I'll replace the remote battery tonite, maybe that has something to do with it.
Where is the O2 sensor located on a 1998 GMC Sonoma?
There are two sets of oxygen sensors on late model GM trucks. There are dual catalytic converters, one on each pipe coming off of the engine. In front of the catalytic converters are the first set of oxygen sensors. These sensors check the exhaust gases to see how the engine is performing. Based on the gases, the sensors send a signal to the computer telling whether to richen or lean out the air/fuel mixture. This insures optimal performance and fuel mileage. After the converters is another set of oxygen sensors. These sensors check the exhaust gases for cleanliness after having passed through the converters. These sensors don't directly affect engine function, instead they measure how well the converters are working. If a converter is no longer working properly or is clogged, they will lean out the engine so it will continue to function for a while, causing the 'check engine' light to come on. This is probably too much information, but I just wanted to be helpful. -Neal C.-
it may be your alternator going bad that is what happened to mine, and i just changed the alternator, and it fires right up, to check your alternator start your car if it will start, and while its running take off your positive battery cable, if it dies your alternator is bad if it stays runnign your alternator is good, then it could just be your compression, or something in your gas.
Car won't start battery good no sound sometimes it starts sometimes it does not?
sounds like the fuel pressure regulator, which is made into the fuel pump in the tank of most new cars and truck, or you could have dirt in the fuel line, first change the fuel filter, and see if this helps.
Need to know if the starter works and cranks the engine but the engine doesn't start at times or if the starter doesn't crank the engine at times. It is not clear.
What do you do if the gear shift is stuck and car won't start?
Here are some experiences and solutions:
I have a Mercedes-Benz S500 and it was stuck in park and a MB tech told me to pump the break while hammering the shifter with a mallet and yanking the shifter down (all at the same time). I had my Dad continuously press the break while I hammered and yanked that blasted shifter down to Drive. As odd as that sounds, it works. But this is just temporary.
Check your fuses, i have had this happen to me, also, turn ignition key to on, but do not start. then with foot on brake pedal move transmission to neutral. then start engine.this will usually allow you to then use your gears and drive this will also usually fix the problem of being stuck in park.
Make sure you press the brake down, and fairly hard. You must usually step on the brake in order to shift out of park. I just picked up an automatic after my stick vehicle and am still getting used to this.
I had the same problem. But it was either trying to put my car into gear or into park. The solution: I had to get a new gear cable.
I had a similar problem. I couldn't take my car out of park. The problem was a brake switch that is connected to the brake pedal. You normally step on the brake to place the car in gear. If the switch goes out and you step on the brake the trans will not engage. Don't know if this is same situation with your car.
You may not have any problem at all. Your wife might have put the car in park and let the car roll before engaging the hand brake. If your car rolled while in park and the weight of the car leaned on the parking brake you may need to push the car a little bit before it can get out of park. depending on the car the push may need to be a little or a lot. Next time follow this as a parking routine: reverse or drive into parking spot, stop, with foot still on the brake pedal put car in park and engage hand brake fully so that car doesn't roll. Remove foot from brake pedal. This should stop that problem.
On my 1994 Toyota Corolla, when I had this problem and couldn't get the gear shift to budge, the tow truck driver showed me an override switch, which was located above the gear shift under a plastic tab. ( You need something like a key or screwdriver to depress it, but it gets you out of park and I was able to drive to the garage to get the "brake light service switch" fixed. It's a temporary fix, but it works!
this all depends on what make of car and year as well it could be a fuse, to the relay that sits under the break petal always by the manual for the car you own at like discount autos they have many easy useful charts inside with a simple useful trouble shooting guide i have one for two of my for cars i am still searching for my buick rivi. book cant find the one i want but you must go by the working manual first to get an understanding of what your doing with a car
Shortly after submitting a similar question to this one, I went out to my car and started messing around with the fuses and tran cable. It ended up being the tran cable shorting out from the cold. I detached the cable and reattached it and my car went into gear. So in my case it was the tran cable that was the problem.
I too had the dillema of the clk430 shifter stuck in park. And as odd as it sounds hitting the top of the shifter knob while appling the brake pedal does actually work. I'm sure there is an underlying problem to this but in a tough situation it did work.
How do you fix a timing belt on a 1998 Plymouth neon?
everyone should have a shop manual for their vehicle, and the library should have a professional shop manual(wiring diagrams and more detailed info) available in the reference section for FREE....make copies of the right sections, and fix it like a PRO!! good luck Dave :)
Where is the starter relay for 2002 Chevy Trailblazer?
If your talking about the engine cooling fan relay and memory serves me right it is located on the radiator support, inside engine compartment, drivers side, down low. It's probably easier to reach from underneath with vehicle lifted.
Why your 98 astro van turns over but wont start?
On mine, the module on the distributor checked-out OK; It was the transducer (I think it's called) inside the dist. You have to remove (mark it's position first) & disassemble (be patient and careful) the dist. to change it. I think it was around 40.00 at Autozone. Good luck.
The car won't start because of the security system. The security system will either have to be bypassed (there are kits available on Ebay sometimes and there are some websites that have them too) or replaced. The ignition key has a built in resistor that the security system checks when you try to start the car. If the security system doesn't recognize the resistance of the key it won't start the car. Then you have to wait 2 to 10 minutes before it will start ( sometimes it's a lot longer than 10 minutes). You could try getting a replacement key and see if the security system recognizes it better. GM installed security systems in their vehicles that are called Passkey I, II and III. So if you get a kit you have to know which system is in your vehicle.
Why is it difficult to start your car when it is cold?
If the car cranks but will not start except in a cold only start situation (consistent), the condition could be caused by a failure in the fuel injection system, most FI equipped cars have a separate cold start circuit allowing the engine to start using the fuel supplied during this circuits operation which can last between 1.5 through 5 minuets depending upon make model and temperature both engine and ambient. This type of failure could be caused by the ECM (electronic control module) or a bad temp sensor, it could not be caused by a clogged fuel filter because this type of system generally shares the same supply system (i.e.: fuel pump, filters and lines.)
If the car cranks and starts cold and then after driving and stopping the engine will not crank (intermittent or constant) you may have a heat soak condition which will require the replacement of the starter / solenoid assembly. This is generally cause by armature windings and the magnets that surround the binding due to bearing ware and heat and is not caused by the solenoid.
Solenoid replacement tip - Most cars after 1970 except for the erroneous ford or Chrysler product do not have a separate solenoid - though in most cases the separate service of a solenoid is possible by the time you remove a starter that has the same or more run time as the solenoid why would you?
Generally a battery failure becomes more evident during a cold start so the likelihood of the condition being caused by a battery is slim.
More Information:
Check the solenoid and the starter. The battery charges itself through the alternator while you're driving. If the battery were the culprit you wouldn't be able to start the car no matter how long you waited until you had it jump started. If the radio, headlights, windshield wipers etc work but the engine doesn't even try to turn over (silence when you turn the key) it's probably the starter or solenoid. the solenoid uses low current from the ignition switch (keys) to complete a higher amperage circuit for the starter. If it isn't the starter or solenoid check for loose or burned wires from the battery to the starter, and check all fuses and fuesable links in the starting system. A good wiring diagram can be found in the proper chiltens repair manual for your vehicle.
The plastic case is cracked around the post allowing fumes to corrode the post. Buy some of those treated battery post washers and a can of battery terminal protector spray. Or, get a new battery.
Rick
I'm a retired ASE Master/L-1 Technician. I still keep current with the latest automotive technology. Visit my blog for cool articles and TSB's: http://free-auto-repair-advice.blogspot.com
Where is the starter fuse for a 1987 Cadillac DeVille?
29s here, i work for an automotive company a recently we had a 94 or 95 caddy deville with the north star engine in for a starter replacement. the starter was located in the center of the motor! the engine is a v-shape (v8) with the intake cover acting as a lid overtop of the motor with the starter smack in the center. you would have to remove the intake in order to even see the starter if you have the same motor types.
That is exactly how to remove it on a 97, i have one and the starter is located under the intake.
Will a car start if the timing belt is broken?
If The Timing Belt Turns The Camshaft, Which It Does. And The Belt Is Broken The Camshaft Will Not Open And Close The Valves . IT CAN NOT START OR RUN> No. It might start but wont run very well because it wont know when to fire with out the timing belt.
Why would a car start and drive then later turns over but does not start?
You have to fix the problem causing it first. Find out what is missing. On some newer cars, it is easier to check for spark, than it is for gas. On other newer cars, it is hard to find out either, or, because of their lack of having high tension wires. What year/type car do you have? E-mail above.
My 2000 ford mustang theft light is blinking really fast and my car won't start?
1997 Chevy 1500 pickup won't start no fuel from injectors?
Most likely it's the fuel pump, but check the fuel filter first, it may be plugged up.
1989 gmc 1500 pick truck will not start?
To keep this simple here some info.I will assume the battery,alternator and starter work fine.Now next are you getting spark at your plugs,to check this pull one plug boot off and turn engine over to see if there is spark.You may have to slide the boot back some to expose the metal end(recommend)so you can verify.Is the carb or if fuel injected do smell fuel in the carb or intake?Now if there is no spark at the plug wire to the plug it could be a bad distributor cap,rotor button,or ignition module possibly the coil itself is bad.If fuel is not present could be dirty fuel filer,and if fuel injected bad injector.I can list more ideas but,the question is somewhat plain and could be any number of problems.For instance 89 b2200 turns over but will not start.That is easier to help clarify the issue.
