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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
If the voltage level of the battery is low, turning the key to "Start" can cause a further voltage drop and you'll hear the click. Sometimes the low voltage condition will be such that the starter is engaged, drops voltage below a threshold, the solenoid disengages because of low voltage condition then the voltage comes back up enough to re-engage the solenoid and it clicks again. In either case, if you have a volt-meter check the voltage of the battery while someone attempts to start the engine. If the voltage stays anywhere near 12 Volts, check both battery terminal connections. If either is dirty you may just need to clean the contacts. If the battery voltage is down near 7 or 8 Volts when you try to start the vehicle your battery voltage is too low to do much good. The battery COULD be bad or the alternator may just not be charging. Don't just replace the battery until you are able to determine if it's a battery or alternator problem. With the same volt meter, check the battery voltage when the engine is running. The alternator SHOULD bring the battery voltage up to 13.5 volts (or near enough) and if it doesn't, you probably have a charging problem. In either case, have a reputable parts store, like Checker Auto, Kragen Auto, Auto Zone or Pep Boys check the charging system and the battery to find out what's wrong. In some cases the starter can be faulty and drawing too much current but they can check that too.
Check fuel filter and carburetor or fuel injectors if so equipped. Some older cars with Carburetors have a fuel filter where the fuel line enters the Carb. Provide year and engine specifics for a better answer.
Sounds like fuel flow is limited. Check the fuel filter. This is a cheap replacement, and needs to be done every 50 to 100K miles anyway. If this doesn't help, check the fuel pump. If this doesn't help, look for obstructions to the exhaust. You see this in older cars where the exhaust system is not stainless steel.
Will a car start with battery polarity reversed?
No, and it may have caused major damage to the elctrical system.
No, and it may have caused major damage to the elctrical system.
How can you tell if your starter has gone bad?
when you try to start does the starter go?
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If you know your battery is good and nothing happens when you try to start, that indicates a possible problem with the starter.
Also, if the starter makes a noise but does not turn the engine over, the starter could be at fault.
Any solenoid is an electrical switch with main terminals to pass current when
operated by the small terminal being given a voltage .
to check if sol is faulty bridge the two main terminals with thick jump lead if the starter works its faulty.
If it still does not work check these with and without operating the key switch.
1.Good Battery voltage across battery terminals
2.Same voltage at starter
1 and 2 should be the same
if 1.2 check out Ok you will most likely find the brushes in the starter motor have worn out
Check out our web site www.comlec.co.uk for free technical advise.
01922 456237.
Read more: How_do_you_tell_your_solenoid_is_bad
Cadillac sts with a push button start and it turns over but wont start What is wrong?
Do a fuel pressure check. I had the same problem and it was my fuel pump.
Where is the starter relay located on a 1999 Saturn sl1 and on a 1995 Pontiac grandam v6?
place your foot on the brake pedal,move your foot all the way to the left,your foot will now be against the kick pannel,DRIVERS SIDE KICK PANNEL' now mesure 12 inches above your foot and wraped in a crap load of electrical tape , taped top a bundle of wires you will find the starter relay on a 99 Saturn sl2 ,now you wont even see the plug because the whole think is wraped up in electrical tape,you will have to cut away ALL of the tape,,,so look for something that resembles a big wad of electrical tape,.....
check the ECT sensor with a scan tool
Makes Ticking noise when turning the ignition?
Usually insuffucine power to starter caused by bad or undercharged battery. Try jumping it.
You might need a battery or alternator.
A bad starter can also do this.
Many parts store can test for free and all repair shops can test for you but might charge a few dollars.
Car doesnt start up first try but it does second?
Most likely that the throttle body is dirty and the butterfly does not close completely when shut off.
Or the maf is dirty and is not detecting air flow.
Check the main relay on the car. It may have bad solder joints. I have a 1990 Honda Civic Wagon that did the same thing. Replaced Fuel injectors, ECU and did tons of testing and checking before I found out about the main relay being the cuplrit. Cost me $36 for a new relay and about 30 minutes to check and re-solder the joints on it before installing. I still have my old relay for backup after I repaired it. The bad solder joints in the main relay will cause the fuel pump to shut down and the ECU will signal a fuel problem because the bad joints in the main relay are not sending the signal. Happen during the heat of the day or just after making a short run and shutting the car off. You have to let things cool off and then reset the ecu to get it started, at least I did. After fixing the main relay, haven't missed a start since, unless you count bad batteries and alternators.
What can cause a starter to keeep turning after engine starts already changed solenoid?
There's a special spring-loaded cog at the end of the starter that's meant to engage when the starter is going and to retract when it isn't. If this special(Bendix) cog don't retract, the starter will remain engaged. You'll have to pull the starter and look at the axle at the end by the flywheel.
What would cause your truck not to start until you tap lightly on the starter?
the solenoid is bad on the starter. soon after this problem starts tapping on the starter will not work either any further questions email me at crazyarmydad@hotmial.com
How do you retrieve trouble codes for a Colorado?
With an OBD2 scan tool connected to the OBD connector.
How does a battery act like a pump?
a battery acts like a pump, pushing the current through the wire !
Where is the engine starter located on a 1999 jetta?
located at the lower right corner on the car if you are standing directly in front
i would drain the radiator and put fresh antifreeze in it
What do you do if you lose your ignition key with a chip?
You'll probably need to get a new one from either a dealer or a qualified locksmith.
Could use some more info such as year and model of car and how many months it has been sitting. There would also be a different approach if the car is carburated or fuel injected, points or electronic ignition.
check your ignition module, autozone can check it for free
Where is the starter on a 1994 Chevy Caprice Classic?
Passenger side, mounted on the bell housing, connected to the flywheel.
89 jaguar vanden plas engine rotates but wont start what could be the problem?
I have a 2000 XJ8, VP; twice this has happened; sounded like it had jumped timing; Found out that most Jags built during the Ford era, w/V8 engines have this problem often. Clean your throttle body of sutt build up as well as your spark plugs. May want to replace crank sensor as well. Worked for me. Sir "J"
