Car Starting Problems

The engine service light is on because there is a problem. The problem has to be fixed before the light can be reset. Your local auto parts store can plug a scanning device into your car and read the trouble code(s). They won't charge you for this service if you purchase the parts needed to repair the car from them.

look from the bottom on the back side of the engine you'll see it there. When you get under the car, it's in the middle of the engine/gearbox, above the exhaust, to left from the oil pan. it's easier to see if from the right side (passenger).

Could be poor cable connections. Check black ground and red positive, may need to remove and clean both ends. Lead on battery end can be cleaned with wire brush, knife or sandpaper, cable going into end can be scraped with knife.

But it's usually old or dying battery (starting takes a lot of power.) Don't replace starter or other parts if battery's old or shows problems. Testers availabe at auto supply stores, or they can test it.

Hi, I just saw this and thought I could offer some help as I had removed my starter relay and made some repairs to it. It is fairly difficult to find: Push your driver side seat back and position yourself so your head is looking up underneath the stearing column (the top of your head should be pointing at the brake pedal). Look just to your right of the stearing column, its up a far way. For me it was a small grey box. If you've found it, now you need to remove it, which is just as difficult as finding it. I believe there is some sort of clip mechanism that holds it there, you need something to push that clip in and the cartridge should slide off (mine was stuck on there pretty good). Now that you have it off you probably want to fix it, I just cleaned it up and scratched off some of the corrosion on it and it worked fine from then on. Note: these directions took place on a 92 Honda Prelude SR so no guarantee they are the same for all models. Good luck. ~Morgan

You shouldn't replace anything until you've checked out the diagnostic codes. Find out what the computer has detected. Then start going through to isolate the problem. If you just replace a bunch of parts, I can almost guarantee that something will get connected wrong then you'll NEVER be able to find the problem.

THe transmission selector is worn, so the need to start it in the neutral position, which still has a workable contact switch, while the park position is worn out. like the other guy said, also you might have to adjust your shift linkage

Its sounds like the distributor or distributor cap/rotor,something in the timing may be off. High tension cable may be broken, or connectors poor. Or you may have cranked so much that the engine is flooded with fuel, so wait a couple of hours and try again.

there are two connections to the positive side of the battery, one to the starter, one to the accessories. some times corrosion get in between these two pieces. To correct this, i actual bought a battery with both positive connectors, (post and screw in) i hooked the starter up to one + part and the accessories to the other +. haven't had a problem since. Hope this helps

Assuming that the starter is rotating and turning over the engine. Check for spark Check for fuel - You can get a can of starter fluid form an auto supply stoe - spray a little into the intake. Car should try to start - if it atttempts to run for a few seconds then the problem is fuel relatedm if not then it is spark related.

Timing belt ok? pull covers and check timing belt and timing marks. compression test would also tell . for engine to run you need fuel, spark, and compression. you have two of the three ingredients for combustion? Good luck

it's easy to check the solenoid, put a screw driver across the large nut & the smaller one, and if the starter engages it's the solenoid .make sure the vehicle is in park, or the e- brake is on. ( with key on)

Check to see if you have any check engine codes posted. You may have a cure or clue posted there. Remove a spark plug wire and stick a screwdriver in the loose plug wire end. Hold the scrwdriver's metal shaft 1/4 inch from a metal part of the engine while someone else tries the starter switch. Do you see a good blue spark? no? Check all fuses in the truck. The engine computer controls the ignition module but sensors control the computer.

it is located on the fuel rail .

Look for a loose or corroded positive battery cable at the battery post - or a loose/corroded battery terminal on the positive cable.

You can call your local parts store and they have specifications such as timing, firing order, plug gap, and a host of information. You also need a timing light. But when I set my timing on a carburetor engine I usually loosen the distributor and slowly turn it in either direction until I can hear the engine run at its best then tighten it back up.

do you have gas in the tank

start by having the battery checked. If the battery is good, then check the starter relay. If this is bad, repalce the starter. Also check battery connections. Sometimes they can seem tight but just aren't. Take them off the battery terminals and clean them. This will also stop your batter from charging.

It could be the keyswitch or the starter could be wired wrong.

When this was happening on my 1999 3.8 Liter Intrigue, I suspected the starter switch, but when I took it in to have it looked at, all it was, was a worn out Battery. They replaced the Battery and the problem went away.

I had the same problem. I had been using a very poor battery that was almost flat all of the time. All battery connections turned out to be in good order, worried about the engine begining to seize up hbut found it turned freely by hand. the problem turned out to be the starter motor that had broken down due to constant use of a poor battery condition. Please check your battery condition, connections, that engine turns freely and your starter motor. A lot of garages do a start and charge check very cheaply.

On the 1998 Vauxhall Frontera, they do not always have a fuel cut off switch. Sometimes they are built into the ECU. If it is not in the ECU, it would be located in drivers side of the foot well. There will either be a lever to pull up, or to push down.

I would say you have broken teeth on it, or your battery may be getting too low, while your key is in the ignition in the on position, take a screwdriver and touch the B+ wire on the starter solenoid ( may take a few tries but should start)! I would also advise that you get it replaced!

probably your keys anti theft chip is short circiuted try another key

its 1-5-3-6-2-4 Clockwise on the distributor, #1 is at the front of the engine.

This depends greatly on what kind and year of car and what kind of engine. This is just too general to answer. Joe Sounds like a major lack of maintenance, I'd start there if it isn't too late.