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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
Blown head gasket. But with a blown head gasket wouldn't you notice a kind of milkyness to the oil when you checked the oil because of the mixing?
Keep in mind the #1 problem with these vehicles is fuel pumps. As the fuel pump gets weak it can still allow the car to run but, it will have starting problems like you mentioned. Have the pressure tested.
Sounds like broken fuel pressure regulator. it is loccated on driver side of engine with vacuum hose to it and a clamp similar to ac hose connector clamp. If diaphragm is broken in this regulator it will allow raw gas to "flood the engine" when the engine is warm. When the engine has time to cool, the extra gas evaporates.
Why does the starter continue to run even when the key is turned off?
Sounds like the starter solenoid is sticking, could be faulty. You might have to pull it out and bench test it. First put a multimeter or test light on the starter solenoid wire (without it being connected to the starter) and check that it stops supplying power when you switch the key off to make sure you don't have any wiring issues.
How do you reset autostart car starter after battery died while armed?
When the battery is dead, that the alarm kit setting is usually
reset to default, which more than likely already has the autostart feature on.
If not, it could be something else; perhaps loose connector on the battery?
The info you are looking for can be found in the installation manual
for the remote-start kit. It usually requires combination of key presses
on the remote valet.
The good is that, companies usually make it uniform despite different models.
The bad is, different companies can have different combination keys for activation.
The ugly is that, the installation manual is rarely included when you purchased the kit
or it has been trashed by the techs installing your kit. Generally, only the
user manual kit is included, not the installation manual.
In this case, google is your best friend. Try searching for a pdf document of it.
Then again, you can always ask (or pay) some professionals.
Why won't my car start again if I shift from park to reverse while starting the engine?
Your car has an automatic transmission which includes a "neutral safety switch" to prevent the car being started while the shifter is in any position except "neutral" or "park". This switch is activated by the shift lever and prevents voltage to the starter solenoid when the car is in gear (drive or reverse). This is a safety features that prevents the car from lurching ahead or backward while starting.
Dodge pickup with a 1960-72 slant six that wont start but it does back fire int to the carburetor?
Check ignition timing Timing chain "jumped"?
How to stop engine from turning over?
Assuming that you're trying to stop the engine from rotating while removing the crankshaft pullet bolt, right?
The easiest method is to use an impact wrench. At times, certain vehicles simply don't have the room to accommodate an impact wrench without removing the radiator or, even worse, vital air conditioning parts. Other methods are possible like wedging a screwdriver into the flywheel via the inspection plate cover which usually requires the help of a friend.
I've used a method that is cheap, that works, is safe for the engine, and can be done by yourself. Purchase 2 or 3 feet of nylon rope that is smaller in diameter than your spark plugs. Remove number one spark plug. Rotate crank pulley until it is about 90 degrees ABOVE top dead center. Insert rope into number one cylinder via the spark plug hole. Be sure to put enough rope in to fill a portion of the cylinder. Turn crank pulley counterclockwise with socket wrench. If there is enough rope inside, then the engine will cease to rotate allowing you to give enough force to break that crank pulley bolt loose.
To tighten the bolt according to torque specs after job is finished, rotate crank to about 90 degrees BELOW top dead center, insert rope, turn crank clockwise until rope stops engine, then apply proper torque to bolt.
This method is very useful when an impact wrench is not available or will not fit in the area.
Suzuki alto refuses to start why?
Check the battery condition visually.
If you see any acid leaks, cracks or any other damage - replace the battery. Make sure the battery terminals are tight and not corroded. Corroded terminals will cause many troubles.
To start the engine, the battery, the starter and the starter circuit should be OK.
If the engine won't start - there's no magic - one of these things is probably missing. Most often it's a spark- or fuel- related problem, but often it could be very simple things like dead battery.
If the car won't start, check simple things first:
Make sure you have a fuel in the tank, oil in the engine and the battery is OK
Discharged or dead battery is one of the possible reasons for a car not to start. Very common is situation when we forget to turn lights OFF overnight (for example, dome light) which causes the battery to discharge. In this case when attempting to start a car, all you will probably hear will be clicking noise - there won't be enough power to turn the starter. Here is the simple way to check if the battery is discharged: Turn the ignition on, with the engine off, switch the windshield wipers on. If they move way too slowly, much slower than usual, the battery is probably discharged.
If the battery is relatively new, it can be recharged. All you need to do is to boost your car and let the engine run for a while to charge the battery.
However if your battery is more than three - four years old, you will probably need to buy a new one. Sometimes, an old battery may even die with no apparent reason, even if day before it was OK.
Now simply answer the questions, press "Yes" or "No" (If it's blue, follow the link).
- Do you hear the cranking sound when you're trying to start your car? (Yes No )
- When you switch the ignition ON before starting a car, does the "check engine" light come ON? (Yes No )
If you don't hear the cranking sound when you're trying to start your car, means that starter doesn't work - something could be wrong with the starter, starter wires, relay, or the battery is dead. Also check battery terminals, they could be corroded or loose.
- When you switch the ignition ON, do you hear fuel pump buzzing sound from the gas tank area? (Yes No )
When you switch the ignition ON before starting the car the "Check engine" light supposed to come ON indicating that engine computer is powered. If you won't see the "Check engine" light after switching the ignition ON, there is no power coming to the engine computer. It might be a broken wire (common problem on 2001 - 2002 Nissan Sentra, for example) or faulty relay, burnt fuse, etc.
Before your engine died, did you experience any prior events such as:
- leaving the lights ON overnight (Yes No)
- driving through a deep puddle, or washing the engine compartment? (Yes No)
- trying a jump start? (Yes No)
- having only a little fuel in a tank? (Yes No)
- having had the engine repaired recently? (Yes No)
If your vehicle's engine was repaired just before it died, call back to the repair shop and ask them to check it. May be they just forgot something to connect back.
- the engine was overheated? (Yes No)
If the engine died after it overheated and won't start even after its temperature is reduced, there is probably a severe engine problem (like broken pistons, blown head gasket, etc.). Check the coolant level. It should be between "low" and "full" marks in the expansion tank (look at the image). If it is too low, add a coolant fluid. Even If the engine starts after the temperature is reduced, you have to find reason of the overheating, because the engine overheating may result in serious engine damage. Have your car inspected by the mechanic.
- extremely low oil pressure? (Yes No)
- unusual noises such as knocking, pinging, whistling? (Yes No)
- smoking from exhaust pipe? (Yes No)
- strong smell of a gas? (Yes No)
- black smoke means the engine runs very rich - too much gasoline goes to the engine which most likely means there is something wrong with fuel- or ignition system. For example this may happen when one or two cylinders misfire.
- stinky blue or white-blue smoke means burning oil as result of serious internal engine defect (like broken pistons or piston rings).
Now, let's try again. Turn off the radio, try to crank the engine one more time, and listen carefully. Is the cranking sounds different than it used to be? If it's different, does it looks like the engine being cranked by the starter too slowly? (Yes No)
If you note, that the engine is not being turned over by the starter or being turned over too slowly, it may be because of a(n):
- discharged battery
- a starter defect
- bad connection with the battery terminals
- internal engine defect (bad oil, lack of the oil, etc.)
Is the engine being cranked too fast? (Yes No)
If while cranking the engine is turning over too fast, it means there is probably no compression in the cylinders. It could happen because of engine internal problem (broken pistons, or valves) or if the timing belt breaks or jumps.
If still on midway contact a mechanic soon
the starter, the starter solenoid only supplies power to the starter.. if accessable try to tap on the starter with a hammer with moderate force this will some times cause the internal workings to rotate slightly allowing the starter to turn over.. This also sounds like a dead battery. Usually when your battery dies, all the more your hearing is your Solenoid clicking. If this is not the case, follow the directions above, i strongly agree. BUT.. it could also be a faulty solenoid, it will click, but will not push any power to the starter. If this continues, i would replace the solenoid first, being that it's more probable, and less expensive. If it actually is the starter, oh well.. you spent like 20.00 on a new solenoid (if even that much), and you know it will not go out on you in the future. You may also want to check your power cable leading to the starter to make sure there is no short(s) on it due to insulation being melted off or whatever.
What should you do if you have a flooded engine?
If it floods which can only happen with a carburetor engine not fuel injection and if it does flood let it sit for a few minutes and it will be fine.
Why is your car not starting up?
Can be a number of things such as a dead battery, damaged starter, broken belt..etc. Ask your local mechanic
Clicking usually is a sign of a bad battery or starter
What does it mean when your won't start or turn over?
I means you have a battery problem or a starter problem or dirty/loose battery cable connections. If the battery is operating the starter and the starter is turning the engine over but the engine won't start and run, you may have a spark problem or a fuel problem.
My Ford Aerostar cranks really fast but won't start Any one have a suggestion?
timing chain or gear is broken thats why it cranks so fast the starter is just turning the crankshaft not the cam. look or feel the rocker arms if they are not moveing its the the timing belt/chain
Ford Explorer service engine light?
The Ford Explorer service light will come on to tell you of a problem. The issue could be minor, or could result in loss of fuel economy, or cause engine failure over time.
93 z24 turns over but won't start?
This sounds like a fuel pump issue, an easy way to check this is to spray a flammable
liquid in to the intake manifold just in front of the throttle body, if the engine starts for a short time then dies it is not getting fuel.
A safer way to do this is to get a fuel pressure gauge and test the fuel pressure.
most newer vehicles require at least 55 PSI or more fuel pressure to start
After you put in a new battery why would it still not start in the morning in cold weather?
When you say not start, do you mean doesn't crank or does nothing when the key is turned? BClear.
For cold weather goto a low vic oil (ex. 5-30), clean/new plugs, fuel is clean - no water and choke system is working.
It is normal. In order for you to create a spark, the coil has to open and close.
Check and see if you have fuel pressure it might be the fuel pump. Before you replace the fuel pump try replacing the wiring harness first because they have a bad problem burning up. Just got done replacing mine and my brothers.
How do you replace a starter on a 2000 Cavalier?
Disconnect the - battery cable Raise and support vehicle Disconnect wiring harness at the top of starter Remove starter mounting bolts Twist starter to remove
Fuses usually blow because something powered by them draws too much power. -The solution is to fix the fault, NOT to fit a bigger fuse as I have seen some people do.
Why does the my engine shake during a cold start for 3-4 seconds and then is fine?
Engines will often "misfire" for a while when they're extremely cold. Misfire means that one or more cylinders aren't firing when the other cylinders are running. When that happens it feels like the engine is shaking.
There are many reasons why an engine might not run well when cold, anywhere from needing a tune-up to burned valves or even injector problems.
If it's been a while since the engine has been tuned up, try that first, but have the shop run a compression test while they're replacing the plugs.
Does a new car battery need to be charged?
No. If it needs charging then it has been in storage too long and is actually an old stock new battery. Take it back and ask for a replacement.
