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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
Sometimes the fuel pressure will drain down overnight and not build up quickly enough when you turn the key. Next time that happens, turn the key off completely. Let it sit for about 10 seconds, turn the key to ON for a couple seconds, THEN try to start it. In general, most people don't consider it enough of a problem to find and replace the affected parts. BTW, it would probably be either the fuel pump or the pressure regulator. First question to you is, does it do it when it is real cold/ warm outside? Does it try to turn over or does it just click? If it is just clicking then you prob have a bad cell in your starter. You can have your starter check I think at most auto stores. I had a van that did this, and changed the starter now it is just fine. Hope this helps.
If the batteryu & starter are good, I would check the neutral safety switch
How do you reset factory alarm?
# Make sure the drivers front(left front) door is closed and you have your car keys. # Insert your door key into the drivers door and turn it to the locked position two times. # Then turn the key to the unlock position twice. # The alarm should be disarmed, now. # SECOND TECHNIQUE: # If not then take the ignition key and turn the ignition switch all the way ON then OFF then ON a second time and OFF again. # These are the procedures for nearly all factory alarm systems. # If neither of these works you probably have an after market(add-on) alarm system. Disarming a after market alarm system with your ignition key will be discussed in a future post.
* This technique is only for use on your own car that you own and have keys for. If you don't have the keys- disconnect the negative battery cable to stop the horn until you get your keys. Then reconnect the negative terminal and proceed to step one.
* Keys
Check the starter. I have 96 E150 with the 4.9L straight six. Check the small red wire that attaches to the starter not the solenoid, (on top of the starter, this is the pig tale of the positive wire) wiggle the small red wire while turning the ignition, sometimes the crimped connection is loose and does not make good contact. You can access this from the passenger side once you remove the inside cover.
What happens when you push the fuel relay switch and my car still wont start?
fuel pump may be bad...fuel fiter may be clogged...do you hear pump when u turn key over?
How to reset timing on a 91 grand am?
You cant "reset" the timing on these. It has computer controlled ignition timing. If there is a timing problem check the crank sensor.
The engine in my Mazda 323 won't turn over what should you do?
Check the battery, cables, starter Check the main fuse.
It depends on what's wrong. Low compression can cause a vehicle to be difficult to start. If that's your problem it could be very expensive. But start with the easy stuff first. If you have a little water in your fuel line, it could be freezing and fuel will not be able to get through. Try a little fuel line de-icer. If that takes care of the problem, it was an easy fix. If the compression is low, you'll need a complete engine rebuild. It could also be a weak spark. Since you didn't specify what it acts like when it won't start, it could also just be a weak battery. A 6 year old battery is just about at the end of it's life cycle. The chemical reaction in a battery is considerably slowed down in cold weather, and the battery is not able to produce as much "cold cranking amps" when it gets old and tired. Sometimes your battery can be right on the edge and not be able to produce enough to start when it's cold, but after it warms up a little the battery works well. Have the battery and charging system checked at a reputable auto parts store.
Check your fuel pump. It's not getting fuel. Check the fuel pressure not just fuel flow, you may be getting some but not be enough pressuse to run the engine. I just went thru evrything possible to solve this and it was the fuel injector pressure regulator. I replaced O2 sensor/plugs/plugwires/cap and rotor/ IAC valve/ fuel filter/map sensor/vacuum hoses Then my cousin got a fuel pressure tester and it tested fine the first try then nothing . Took off the regulator and it was no good springs inside were in pieces It runs like a champ now. there was no return pressure to fuel filter and that was the problem.
Where is the starter on a 1987 Chevrolet Blazer S10 with a 28L V-6 motor at?
under exaust manifold on passenger side
How do you get a fuel injected car started after running out of gas?
normally all you need to do is turn on the ignition with out starting the car for a few secs. the fuel pump would then start sending fuel to the front of the car.after this the vehicle should start right up. It should start easily. Just turn the key on briefly. The fuel pump will run for just a few seconds then turn off if the computer doesn't detect that the engine is turning over. Do that a couple times to get the fuel through the line then try to start the engine.
Your 1999 Tahoe does not want to start but turns over?
Check compression, fuel delivery and ignition. The easiest thing to try is a little starting fluid down the air intake while someone is cranking the engine to start it. If it starts briefly you probably have a fuel delivery problem.
97 Plymouth voyager won't start could the rain and large puddles have caused this?
It should not, but if the wires are original it is possible. I would remove the plug wires and check them for being wet and corroded. If they are, I would invest in a new set and make sure that you use a dielectric grease on both ends. I hope this helps you. Mark
I would suspect the valve seals are bad. This allows oil to run down the valve stem and enter the combustion chamber when the engine sits overnight. Unless the smoking and oil consumption is excessive, I would not have this repaired as of yet. Although the head does not have to be removed to facilitate repair, it will require valve cover removal, and can be expensive due to the labor cost.
How do you turn of the green light near the engine starter where you put your key?
This one has me scratching my head. My 1989 323 LX has a small ORANGE light that comes on which I open the door; the purpsoe is to provide some illumination the ignition lock so you see to put your key in. The light automatically turns off after 30 seconds or if you start the car. Does your key ligth stay on after you've started the car? Cheers Malcolm
Put the key in and turn it to the "On" position, but don't start it.
The security light should stay lit for about 10 seconds then go out.
If that happens then the VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System) system (little resistor chip in your key) is functioning properly.
If it doesn't work just like that, then VATS should be disabling the car and it won't even crank.
If this sounds like your problem, you could disable the VATS altogether (http://vats.likeabigdog.com/)
i haVE A 92 camaro that does the same thing. if it's a 5sp, then it's probablly the safety switch in the clutch pedal. you have to push the clutch down to start the car, and the safety is not engaging. I don't know how to remove/replace this as of yet. if you know the answer, please, e-mail me at MrPenga@hotmail.com
Why does your car not turn on but its not the battery?
Check to see if your main fuse is good. On the 1999 Escort ZR2 its located under the hood. You have to unscrew the fuse from both sides to get it out. A new one will cost you about $7 - $8 at a parts store. Make sure you disconnect the battery before you mess with the fuse. Safety first you know
What causes a Ford Taurus not to turn over at all?
A motor will not turn over for two reasons: 1. Engine is "siezed", "frozen","locked-up" meaning an internal component (piston,connecting rod jammed or broken)stops the rotation of the crankshaft. 2. No power to the starter,,,dead battery or bad starter.
Personal experience and the solution:
I had a similar problem with my 98 Ford Taurus. I'm not sure how it happened but the emergency shut off to the fuel pump engaged. If you have one, it is usually located in the trunk side panel behind the liner. Mine is located on the passenger side. Follow the instructions for your vehicle. Once the fuel pump is back on, turn the ignition key two or three times to the "On" position to prime the fuel line. Turn off ignition for a few seconds then try to start the car.
Possibly bad glow plugs.
What is wrong when the lights turn on but the car doesn't start?
your continental depending on year should have two (2) starter relays. one starter relay (which usually is the one to go bad) is on the driver side fender well under the hood. your positive battery cable from the battery will lead you straight to this one. replace this relay the car should then start. the other relay or solinoid is on the starter itself. you may have to replace the starter. both are fairly easy to replace. Try Checking the nutral Safty Switch. Turn the key to the start position and shift the gears around to see if it starts (While holding the brake)
Place your key in the ignition, and with the back of a screwdriver( Handle end) lightly tap the key and try to turn at the same time in the ignition, .The tumblers or wafers often get stuck and may help them slide into their proper location. The Focus is notorious for this problem. I have used ths method several times and was able to pull my ignition assembly for replacement. Hopes it works for you, did for me.
What are the main reasons a car won't start?
(each of these 4 categories has a large list of contributing factors)
1.Battery and connections.
2.Getting spark to all cylinders
3.Plenty of fuel
4.Engine compression
Be organized when you start troubleshooting. Focus on one problem area until it can be fixed or eliminated. FINALIZE it before you go on to the next. At least you won't be second-guessing yourself.
More Information:
I have always found the main reason any implement (boats, cars, lawnmowers, etc. won't start is electrical connections. In use, electical wires and battery terminals gather dust and corrosion and this interferes with the electrical charge strength. The first thing to check is your battery terminal. Always remove the cable, clean the terminal and cable connector. Coating the terminal with grease or some sort of corrosion resistant application works well. Be careful you don't ground your socket or wrench to the car body when you remove the cable. Reinstall the connection and try to start it. Usually if you have no starting sound at all, it is the connection. A dead battery will grind or click slowly.
How do you fix a convertible motor that will not turn over?
Make sure it has proper ground and electricity (Check Fuses) or Hit The motor maybe Its just stuck! GOOD LUCK!
Clicking noise in 2000 grandprix in the engine only when it starts?
That clicking is lack of oil at the top of the cylinders. After a few seconds after oil reaches the top, the clicking should stop. This should really only happen when the car has been sitting,allowing the oil to come to rest. If the clicking persists,your car could just be low on oil or you could have a bent valve. Hope Ive helped you out bit. The above answer is correct. Valve train noise is normal on a car that has sit for a long period of time. but if this is happening every day, then you may have a problem. Start by changing the oil and make sure you are using the correct weight oil. A oil that is too heavy will cause this. Also install a AC/Delco filter. Some filters do not have a check valve and this will allow oil to drain out of the filter, and result in low oil pressure at startup. The AC/Delco is a great filter that has the proper check valve installed. New answer Actually, GM has shortened the piston skirts on the 3.1 and 3.4 liter engines and this has caused a ticking noise in the cylinders from the pistons being very short and tending to wobble a bit when cold and lacking oil. After the engine warms a bit and the oil covers the walls, the noise tends to quieten down...however, if the ticking persists after a few minutes, the pistons likely need to be removed and coated with a polymuir (or whatever they call it). Bent valves are likely NOT the problem, it is pretty common for the 3.1 and 3.4 liter GM engine to have this ticking problem, but it can cause cylinder-wall scorching if it tends to continue for longer than a few minutes. If you check it out, I am sure you will find many, many cases of the ticking in these engines and the cause being the short pistons.
Newer Answer I have a 1998 Grand Prix SE with the 3.1 Liter engine i also had that tapping sound and it was more intermittently like it would do it for the first 5 minutes than stop other times it wouldn't start till 30 minutes after driving it some times wouldn't do it for like 2 days. long story short i talked to my mechanic and he said that the GM 3.1 and 3.8 will get "sticky lifters" he told me to just go to an auto parts store look for a oil additive that will remove "sticky lifters" i forget the company name but it was like $3-4. I poured it and it seemed to have little effect the first day but with in 72 hours after that the problem was gone and never came back now i havent done an oil change since then so im not sure that with new oil with out the additive it will come back or not but any way problem solved for me. i hope my ramble will do some one good:).
