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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 your car wont start can you still run a compression test on it?
Yes, IF your battery can "crank" [turn the engine over] then a compression test can be accomplished even though the engine will not start and run.
You need to remove all of the spark plugs to reduce the "drag" caused by all of the other cylinders not under test.
Attach the compression tester to one cylinder at a time, and then crank the engine for a few seconds. Read and write down the reading, and then move to the next cylinder until you've check them all.
If your battery is low, you may not get full readings, but for comparing cylinder readings, the ratios will be about the same.
What fuse do you change if your car doesn't start?
If it cranks but doesnt start it could be your fuel pump relay or your fuel pump could be bad.
On a 1995 Nissan Altima GXE why would the engine turn over but the car does not start?
This is a problems with the Starter. I have a similar problems and resplace the starter and it fixed the problems. Car is old, recommend go to junkyard and but use Starter.
Answerwhy not check to see if there is gas delivered to the fuel injectors, see if the electrical system is delivering to the spark plugs, see if the air cleaner is clogged, or maybe the timing chain is in need of replacement.Answer:
Check the knock sensor. I have a 96 and the car will turn over but not start sometimes. I took it to get looked at and they said that the knock sensor was bad which causes it to misfire on the ignition sequence. Hope that helps!
Answer:
Could be the knock sensor, but on my car (same type) it was a sensor in the distributor. I just replaced the distributor.
Let me debunk the previous answers here.
1. If the engine turns over, then the starter is fine.
2. The knock sensor will not interfere with the engine firing. The knock sensor senses the predetonation of the fuel mixture as the vehicle is running. Even if the sensor was bad the engine would still run, it just wouldn't adjust the timing to prevent predetonation of the fuel mixture.
3. Could possibly be fuel related. Locate the fuel rail on the backside of the engine, above the intake manifold. You will find a valve cap, similar to those on you tires. Remove this cap. Crank the engine over a few times, this will pressurize the fuel system. If you depress the valve underneath the cap, fuel should spray out. If it does this indicates that the fuel pump is working correctly.
4. Check the spark plugs. Either use an appropriate spark checker, or remove a plug and ground it to the engine with the plug wire still attached. Have an assistant turn the engine over, check for spark.
5. Unless you have the air intake completely covered and sealed, the engine should still start even with the dirtiest of air filters.
6. To check the timing chain, remove the distributor cap and have an assistant turn the engine over. If the rotor button turns, then the timing chain is working well enough that it should start the vehicle. Its possible that it may have jumped time, but I feel that the engine not starting is a simpler fix than the timing chain.
its the key resistor 97 Monte Carlo's are equipped with GM Passkey II. A wire runs from the computer up to the ignition switch and back to the computer (The 2 wires run into the steering column inside an orange shroud. The wire measures resistance from a resistor in the key. If you have a loose connector or if the resistor on the key is worn down... the computer cannot read the correct resistance and thinks the car is being stolen. If the computer cannot read the resistance at startup, it will disable the starter and fuel injectors for three minutes. The easiest fix (although it disables this security feature) is to measure the resistance in your key (the little chip on the part of the key that goes into the ignition) using a multi-meter, then buy a resistor from radio shack of the same reistance; then hook the resistor to the two small wires in the orange shroud underneath the dash going into the steering column (leaving the wires coming out of the steering column dead). This way, the computer always reads the correct resistance. If you're worried about losing your security feature, you can also place a toggle switch on the wire to disconnect the resistor when needed. If you don't want to get this hands - on... take it to a dealer for a new key and possibly ignition switch (40 for key / 90 for ignition switch)
What could be some reasons why a 1986 Ford Ranger truck will not start?
Loose cables, bad battery, alternator or starter.
1991 cadillac deville wont start or turn over but has all power. what could be the problem?
most likely problem if all fusible links are ok, and starter and battery good, then the key cylinder needs replacement along with a new key,because cyliner has two wires coming oout of it that break internally, this sends a no signal from chip embedded in key to vehicle computer. causing computer to read a theft action taking place. after three tries system will shut down for 1 complete hour. original key has a chip with a code on it need same code with new key, talk to g.m. dealership about proper parts
2000 Nissan will crank but wont start?
my 2000 nissan altima wont start has new radiator and spark plugs the computer test shows no problems it recently overheated
My Dodge 318 drive for 10 min then shuts off and wont start whate 1 hour then starts fine?
souds like your fuel sock in the gas tank is getting clogged,then when you shut it off it releases the suction and the car can now suck gas again drop the tank unscrew the top and replace the fuel sock,plus clean out the tank or it will happen again Have it checked for codes, check the fuel pressure after it dies.
Got a tune up on 1998 Chrysler van now wont start?
Go to you local library and get the repair book, its free to use or a few cents to copy.
How do you fix the starter in a car?
Most people don't have the experience to repair a starter. in those cases it's typically best to purchase a new or rebuilt starter.
Car wont start but horn sounds?
Sounds like you might have a bad starter solenoid. Test your battery terminals first to see if they are loose or corroded.
What is wrong if my is car making humming noise and won't start?
hit the starter with a hammer as ur trying to startr it an if it starts than its ur starter lol dats what i do to my 92 dodge colt. i dont have a hammer but i do hav a tool to change spark plugs and when my car doesnt start i tap the starter then try to start it and it usually starts.
What could cause a car to die and not start back up even when you try to jump start it?
timing belt, out of fuel, fuel pump failure, loss of fire.
What cause a car to shake and stall when it heats up?
The car is stalling for a mechanical reason possibly engine overheating theyres no reason it should naturally cut off...unless the engine is too hot and its protecting itself.it could also shake if its low on gas...my 1989 dodge spirit shakes when low on gas and jerks
Car has trouble stating and backfires what would cause this?
it is out of time or the plug wires are connected incorrectly.
My 1999 Chevy Malibu wont start it is not my battery everything is working?
when you turn the key does it make a clicking sound? if the battery still comes on and everything works, but when you go to turn it it "clicks" that usually means its the starter
starter's are very easy to replace yourself, and they cost aroun 100 bucks
if you decide to take the maters into your own hand, you will have to first...
1: take the positive connector off your car battery
2: un plug the 02 sensor on your starter (usually not right on the starter, but on the cable that link to it, and usually covered in plastic)
3: unscrew all the cords etc. on the starter (battery cable) (sensor) etc..
4:unscrew the bolts connecting it to your car (usually just 2)
and remember where EACH individual screw goes
then take it to a car shop and they will check it our for free and tell you if its running or not, and if its not.. obviously buy a new one
it will usually cost around 150$ and then put it on your car by doing all those steps in reverse
good luck!
What causes VT commodore to cut out while driving?
IT COULD BE THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR OR THE IN TANK FUEL PUMP
What ga wire is the fusible link?
Fuseable links in the automotive/truck and industrial world come in various wire gauge sizes due to the need to carry different current loads. The common size for most American cars build before to 90's is 14 gauge, but can vary if the car was heavily optioned with electrical devices that might be fed by the main wire. Normally this wasn't the case even though I have seen factory 12 and 16 gauge but they were rare.
I dont know what kind of car u are talking about,but it souns like it could be the coolant temp sensor.
is your check engine light on? I had that happen to my car. It would turn on then "die". (The rpm needle would go all the way down, wouldn't move in drive) and it was because the car had no oil in it. It leaks like crazy o I always have to put more oil in along with this no-smoke anti-leak stuff. Also, check your ignition coil. It may need to be replaced.
98 Windstar with no spark at plugs where do you start looking?
i have no spark from coil..i was driving down the road and it just quit
What is the gap for a 1974 Pontiac firebird spark plug?
The dwell for the points should be 30 degrees. The spark plug gap should be .040".
Which is the relay on a 1996 s10 chey?
There are many relays in that vehicle. We need to know which one you are looking for.
Your engine overheated for whatever reason.
What causes ignition problems?
I just baught 2004 toyota tacoma and radio didn't work. The radio worked after I replaced a 15AM burned fuse, later I noticed the key got stuck in the ignition which wasn't a problem before i replaced the burned fuse. The only way I got the key out of the ignition was after a removed the newly installed fuse. Now every time i wanna listen to music i have to plug back the 15AM fuse, and unpluge it to remove it from ignition,, good exercises lol.
