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

 

[95eclispe]

well also on my way to NY i had a terrible smell or gasoline inside my car like it entered the car so i had to drive with my windows open to keep from dying in my car could this be like an early sign the pump was going bad?

 

[MHuddy1213]

ive never heard of that happening before a fuel pump died was this on the way to NY that the smell was like that in your car and on the way home you car died?

 

[95eclispe]

it was on the way to NY. my car was still fine until the next day it ran fine all day until the evening when it died. could bad gas or wrong gas cause this as well? i stopped to get gas in NJ and your not allowed to pump your own gas there and i told the guy premium but wasnt sure what he pumped in and didnt look back to make sure either. stupid on my part but not ruling out the idea that maybe he pumped the wrong gas in it.

 

[xxNocturnalxx]

Running 87 instead of 92 will not cause a no start. I too think fuel pump, relay, or possibly fuel filter.

 

[MHuddy1213]

that shouldnt kill anything just make it run bad i was wondering cause maybe you have a broken fuel line i would deffinatly check for that along with the fuel pump

 

[95eclispe]

ok who knows maybe i couldve damaged it on my way to NY but any idea where the fuel relay is? i tried looking in both interior and exterior fuse boxes but found nothing. maybe a diagram showing where it is would gladly help. as far as the fuel pump goes im going to have to wait until this weekend before i can get out and replace it

 

[MHuddy1213]

go with a wally 190 or the 255 only thing is with the 255 you need afpr 190 youll be ok with the stock you wont regret it

 

[WRXkiller92]

well seeing as you're non-turbo, premium or regular gas shouldn't matter, but if you smelled gas in the cab maybe you broke a fuel line like earlier suggested, seriously pull that fuel line off the rail and see if it putting gas in the motor.

 

[pjhale16]

Always need the 3 main things: Spark, Fuel, and Compression. If it wants to start with starter fluid then your culprit is most likely fuel. Did you make sure you didn't run out of gas? Are the injectors firing? Do you have good fuel pressure. Check the easy stuff first.

 

[95eclispe]

well seeing as you're non-turbo, premium or regular gas shouldn't matter, but if you smelled gas in the cab maybe you broke a fuel line like earlier suggested, seriously pull that fuel line off the rail and see if it putting gas in the motor.

ok im gonna give it a shot tomorrow just have to pick up a manual as a walkthrough so i dont damage anything

 

[1gAWDlaser]

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



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

What I'm saying is that if its not a reputable mechanic then it could very well be the belt. That is why i asked if you even checked to see that timing is good. I have personally had to fix a buddies car because the mechanic didnt know how to press the hydraulic tension rod in on the tensioner. This caused the belt to jump and not start but would turn over and actually bend all the intake valves. If you didnt replace the tensioner with a new one depending on the age of the one that was in the car this could be your problem

go with a wally 190 or the 255 only thing is with the 255 you need afpr 190 youll be ok with the stock you wont regret it

This is not entirely true as I ran a wally 255 lph hp in my car for months before i got a fpr. Reason i got an fpr is because i was going to bigger injectors.

 

[95eclispe]

hes pretty reputable in my town hes been around for over a decade and has vast exp with dsms. he was recommended to me by 3 of my friends that have had work done on their cars so thats why i took mine to him.

 

[crazyquik22023]

What I'm saying is that if its not a reputable mechanic then it could very well be the belt. That is why i asked if you even checked to see that timing is good. I have personally had to fix a buddies car because the mechanic didnt know how to press the hydraulic tension rod in on the tensioner. This caused the belt to jump and not start but would turn over and actually bend all the intake valves. If you didnt replace the tensioner with a new one depending on the age of the one that was in the car this could be your problem



This is not entirely true as I ran a wally 255 lph hp in my car for months before i got a fpr. Reason i got an fpr is because i was going to bigger injectors.

If his timing is off then explain to me how it starts when he sprays starter fluid into the intake??.... To the OP, your car is not starting because it is not getting fuel, verify if your fuel pump is turning on or not. If it is turning on then you will have to check other parts of your fuel system - filter, regulator injectors, broken fuel line, etc. If the pump isn't turning on then your issue is either a bad pump, or you are going to have to find why it isn't turning on. Could be a number of things. Check if the pump is turning on when you try and start it and check back.

 

[1gAWDlaser]

I would check your fuel lines also like Mhuddy just trace them back from the rail shouldnt be very hard to follow them.. When was the last time you replaced your in tank "sock" filter or even your fuel filter in the engine bay?

If his timing is off then explain to me how it starts when he sprays starter fluid into the intake??.... To the OP, your car is not starting because it is not getting fuel, verify if your fuel pump is turning on or not. If it is turning on then you will have to check other parts of your fuel system - filter, regulator injectors, broken fuel line, etc. If the pump isn't turning on then your issue is either a bad pump, or you are going to have to find why it isn't turning on. Could be a number of things. Check if the pump is turning on when you try and start it and check back.

Sorry I'm not showing anything about him spraying starter fluid into his intake.

 

[crazyquik22023]

I would check your fuel lines also like Mhuddy just trace them back from the rail shouldnt be very hard to follow them.. When was the last time you replaced your in tank "sock" filter or even your fuel filter in the engine bay?




Sorry I'm not showing anything about him spraying starter fluid into his intake.

Post #1.. "i tried starter fluid and it comes on for a second but turns off so i dont think its the battery"

 

[1gAWDlaser]

Post #1.. "i tried starter fluid and it comes on for a second but turns off so i dont think its the battery"

 

[dsmtalon1616]

Altenator

 

[zcoh2gdsm]

Altenator

and you came up with this educated guess how?

 

[northernawd]

sounds like your fuel pump might've gone out on ya

 

[95eclispe]

Altenator

cant be the alternator if it starting with the help of the starter fluid but cuts off shortly after

 

[95eclispe]

ok so i tried turning the car on and no buzzing. i even unscrewed the pump cover and tried listening for it and still nothing. I unplugged the pump and the fuel rail for a bit just to test and when i reconnected it still got nothing. Im guessing its the pump. Im going to swap it out this weekend and see what happens

 

[1gAWDlaser]

ok so i tried turning the car on and no buzzing. i even unscrewed the pump cover and tried listening for it and still nothing. I unplugged the pump and the fuel rail for a bit just to test and when i reconnected it still got nothing. Im guessing its the pump. Im going to swap it out this weekend and see what happens

Did you test for voltage? Unless you have a pump laying around and it wont cost you anything to swap it out.

 

[missing floaty]

Ok i've got a new head on there now turns out the old one had a bad valve guide in cylinder 1 ok so ive got a metal hg with arps on and still no start getting fuel to rail and spark on all four no idea its not starting all i get is a few putters from the exhaust like its about to start and then it just cranks afterwards fuel filter is new.CAS is good and temp sensor is new.I turn it and can hear my injectors firing or clicking. any ideas? tried starter fluid no luck.

 

[Gasolinebaptism]

Sounds like your CAS is 180* out.
2g guys don't think of this because theirs can only go in one way.

Also, when you to the key from off to the on position, does the factory boost gauge go to zero, and the Check Engine Light (CEL) come on for about 5 seconds?

 

[missing floaty]

well i lined up the marks on my cas and in the head where the cam is where the arrow points. also my boost gauge returns to 0 with my key on and cel shuts off after a few seconds and stays off while cranking im gonna check my fpr is good and injectors to see if they arent clogged