Starting issues - No / Doesn't / Won't Start - MERGED

[prodsm]

All "my car won't start" discussion threads are merged HERE. We've basically made it easier for those who insist upon not searching by grouping together all threads from those with similar issues so you can just scroll through and see some possible solutions. To search for info within this thread, use the "Search This Thread" feature in the black bar about 3" above what you're reading right now.

Could be anything from a loose battery terminal to internal engine damage, and literally everything in between which may involve the electrical, fuel, and ignition system...possibly even something that you screwed up while working on the car yourself. While it's unlikely we're going to diagnose and solve your problem over the internet, feel free to discuss any possible solutions.



I live in Canada and right now its not very warm out, about -30c
my car does not have a block heater too keep it warm.

I tryed to start my car this morning and it wouldent start, ive had this problem before but this time, the car doesnt crank at all it just makes a sound that sounds like an electric drill.

Whats wrong.

Thanks

 

[Arthris]

I know for a fact i do got fuel on every cylinder spark im not 100% on

 

[forcefed_90tsi]

Rigged knock sensor. Makes sense.

 

[Arthris]

I have PK turned on. The ecu does not even look for the Knock sensor till it hits a certain RPM and boost pressure. I just double checked the belt. Its spot on. Nice and tight. Checked compression again. from 1-4 its 140 135 145 145. It came up from last night. Im gonna set it again to TDC and pull the cas again and set it up by aligning the notch on the case to the notch on the shaft.

Cas is perfectly lined up like it should be. gonna redo the plug wires again to make sure that they are good.

 

[forcefed_90tsi]

Any difference after messing with the wires? Do you have a buddy you can borrow and ecu from just to make sure. It wont hurt to try.

 

[Arthris]

im about to try. Just put the plugs in and wires in. gonna double check online on the coil for the wires. I know there labeled but to just double check. I do but there nowhere close to where I am. So no way to swap the ecus to make sure. I wish there was as I would do that.

nothing has changed. If i mess with the cas it try to fire up. I need to some how get another hand to help me.

So i finally decided to test for spark. Lo and behold. I was only get 1 plug to be consistent....Testing coil now.

 

[1cleanreddsm]

Why is your compression so low?? Its suppose to be up in the 160-180. You should check up on that probably why it's causing a no start. Trying cranking it a few times and check your plugs, is it drown in smelly fuel or dry?? keep us posted.

 

[Arthris]

Could be due to the car having 147xxx on it and as far i know it is the original engine. I did find the issue. Im getting no signal from the ecu to fire cylinder 2/3 coil. Eveything was checking out good so i decided to check for a signal thinking maybe a wire was short or open. Im trying to see if i can get ahold of a local spare or maybe do a trade or haggle for one.

 

[1cleanreddsm]

I can't remember the name of the sensor on the driver side of the IM, if you don't plug that up it won't fire up too, you might want to check that out. It's right below the coil pack ( kind of hidden). it should be an oval or retanglar shaped plug.

 

[forcefed_90tsi]

Well at that point there is three possibilities. 1. Check plug at power transistor. 2. Transistor may be bad itself. And 3. The ecu may be bad.

 

[codeofdastreets]

I know on a stock ecu, if a coolent sensor is bad the car wont start either, But I seen you have sd so im guessing you have link? Im not sure if the same rule applys with link..

 

[007jimmy]

perhaps one of your coil signal wires got burnt up in said fire as well and by moving it around to do the head gasket you broke it completely or you just broke/pinched that wire in general. everyone gets so caught up worrying about setting the timing that they often over look stupid things when they are bolting everything back up. I cant tell you how many "mechanics specials" ive bought over the years that ended up being something stupid like forgetting to plug something in or breaking a wire when they werent even working on that side of the engine. Also isnt there 2 ecu fuses under the hood labeled A and B. perhaps one of them is blown and causing your issue.

 

[99boostedgst]

On the coil problem, did you hook up the cam sensor that's what was the cause my 2-3 coil pack problem after that had full spark across the board

Dustin

 

[Arthris]

I checked the wiring from ecu to power stransistor and to the coil. Everything is plugged in.

The issue is the coil driver in the ecu is blown or something else whithin it is

 

[JayB12]

I replaced my head gasket and got a new timing belt/components. I just tried starting it and It wouldn't fire. I got a code for a crank sensor and then replaced that and cleared the code. I tried starting it again and nothing still. I'm getting no spark at all. I'm also getting 40-50 psi compression per cyl (cold) and leakdown is not working, keeps rotating over and won't let me keep the valves closed. I'm really clueless why...I used a fel-pro compsite gasket with copper spray, torqued to 80ftlbs in the correct process... All the timing marks are lined up and the tension is correct. Ecu is good and Link still connects fine.

I'm not sure where to go from here...

 

[92AWDHX40]

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/articles-miscellaneous/217951-how-diagnose-no-start.html

ecu could be fried compression seems really bad. sounds like your timing is off and you may have somehow bent valves.

 

[1cleanreddsm]

Did you resurface the head before reinstallation??

DId you double check that all your sensors are plugged in?

Test your plugs individually see if it sparks? if yes move to your coil pack?

Keep us posted. Theres nothing wrong with FEL PRO composite HG for stock set up.

 

[JayB12]

I cleaned the head surface well enough, I doubt the ecu is damaged because it still shows all the signs of working. I have triple checked all the timing marks and they are still on. The only thing left is to double check all sensors are connected and in the right places..

I feel like the valves got bent but I don't know how. I rotated it a couple dozen times before firing and nothing was hard to move and everything is still lined up.

Can a bore scope be used to check the condition of the valves?

 

[JayB12]

OK, it now looks like both cams have jumped 1 tooth...and I'm still not getting any spark. I don't know how it jumped...I followed all the steps on the VFAQ and it still isn't right... the auto tensioner is correct still and the crank and oil pump are both normal but the cams point downward slightly on the inside...

And does anybody know why I'm not getting spark? It was fine a few days ago...

 

[JayB12]

I snapped a few pictures of the timing marks and the tensioner. It looked like they were off but now it doesn't. It looks like they are off half a tooth then the cam dowels are down but it looks good when they are up.

 

[95eclispe]

okay so i was on the highway a few days ago and my car suddenly lost power and shut off. it wouldnt turn over when i tried again but it tried to crank. my battery is new just bought a week ago and car recently had timing done. any idea what could cause this? i tried starter fluid and it comes on for a second but turns off so i dont think its the battery. any other suggestions or ways to single out the problem?

 

[95eclispe]

okay so i was on the highway a few days ago and my car suddenly lost power and shut off. it wouldnt turn over when i tried again but it tried to crank. my battery is new just bought a week ago and car recently had timing done. any idea what could cause this? i tried starter fluid and it comes on for a second but turns off so i dont think its the battery. any other suggestions or ways to single out the problem?

 

[1gAWDlaser]

okay so i was on the highway a few days ago and my car suddenly lost power and shut off. it wouldnt turn over when i tried again but it tried to crank. my battery is new just bought a week ago and car recently had timing done. any idea what could cause this? i tried starter fluid and it comes on for a second but turns off so i dont think its the battery. any other suggestions or ways to single out the problem?

Check to see if your timing belt jumped..

 

[MHuddy1213]

if it starts up when you spray starter fluid then your fuel pump died

 

[95eclispe]

Check to see if your timing belt jumped..

i recently had a mechanic fix the timing and replace the belt when it jumped like 5 teeth for some reason so it shouldnt be the problem

if it starts up when you spray starter fluid then your fuel pump died

any idea how to tell if its the pump itself? or a short in the car

 

[MHuddy1213]

you can just unplug your fuel line and if no fuel comes out fuel pumps dead alot of people just listen to hear it turn on too but sometimes you cant really hear it so i take the line off have someone turn the key to the on position and if gas comes out fuel pumps good no gas dead fuel pump