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

 

[crxdsmdan]

Thanks, ill be sure to double check that.

 

[oganika21]

unhooked my battery for 2 hours, went back, started right up, ECU just needed a reset

 

[dsmboy51]

Currently having the same problem, did the rom he sent you work?

 

[DSM1G90]

True, when they get full of codes, time to disconnect the negative cable for a few to reset the ECU and start over - like cold booting a computer.

 

[crxdsmdan]

Yeah ive done that before, didn't help.

 

[tcbikerguy6]

Send it off to these guys ECMTuning, Inc. and they will let you know what all is wrong with it and they have a very fast turn around.

 

[talon2gbuyer]

Well, we can and will blame the owners inability to maintain these vehicles. There is a plethora of knowledge on how to maintain these both on this site and numerous others. So please do not sit there and smash on dsm's simply because you or your brother cannot figure out how a search bar works. Do us all a favor, go back to toyota-land, we don't need pompous assholes like you on this site

 

[shakeandbake]

^^^
I agree, its most likely a wiring issue from the battery. I had the same type of problem. Turned out to be the negative line for the battery was frayed and wasn't getting a good enough connection for start.

 

[gofer]

...clutch pedal switch? Try unplugging it, I had one fail on me overnight and had the same symptoms.

Of course it's a shot in the dark and I recommend using the Tech Articles/Misc./How to Diagnose a No Start thread, reasons like this are why we typed those tech articles up!

 

[darkstar5456]

ok guys i have a 97 tsi fwd . Well i might be having a cold start issues once sat over night and you go and start it in the am . before work its will start and kinda sputter then die out. Start up agian and she runs like a champ i always have a full warm up time for it to warm and idle down before driving. Also when i get to work its running good when i get off work . 8 hours later it still start up great. it seems only when it sits over night it has the sputter stall issue. P.s one time i opened the throttle body and purged the injectors seemed to help. Other times i just kinda feathered the throttle and it worked itself out idled good. So i am kinda confused WTF as to what it is like i said it only does it once. And seems to only do it once it sits over night . Could it just be its cold blooded ? thanks tuners for all my noob dsm questions.

 

[007jimmy]

Is the FIAV blocked off?

 

[darkstar5456]

are you talking about the egr? if so no i think there is anything blocked off sir? what does it do for ya if its blocked off

 

[007jimmy]

if the fiav was blocked off that would explain your hard cold starts. is this something that just started happening as the weather began to change?

 

[pauleyman]

Pull the spark plugs one morning before you start it. Does any cylinder smell like fuel? If so you have a leaky injector. Two things would happen. You would have a little fuel in one cylinder to get rid of and the fuel system needs to pressurize on first startup. I'm betting every time this happens even if the car only ran smoothly for a few seconds and you shut it off it immediately starts smoothly? You can rule out fuel pressure by priming the fuel system before that first cold startup.

 

[darkstar5456]

you know i could have a leaky injector could be the oring. But as far as the whole weather deal you no it just started doing it this month or so maybe she can tell winter is on its way and she is not liking it. As to the whole priming the fuel system isnt that just priming the fuel pump and opening the throttle body to kinda purge the injectors.? Agian sorry for the dumb questions fuel realted stuff not so good at

 

[FeaR-GSX]

try this and see if it works

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/newbie-forum/447369-wierd-idle-issue.html

 

[pauleyman]

you know i could have a leaky injector could be the oring. But as far as the whole weather deal you no it just started doing it this month or so maybe she can tell winter is on its way and she is not liking it. As to the whole priming the fuel system isnt that just priming the fuel pump and opening the throttle body to kinda purge the injectors.? Agian sorry for the dumb questions fuel realted stuff not so good at

No, not an oring leak. An actual fuel leak through the injector. The fuel system stays pressurized when you shut the car off. If an injector is leaking it would put a very minute amount of fuel in the cylinder and the fuel system depressurizes over a period of time. And no this has nothing to do with opening the throttle. Priming the fuel system before startup is simply firing the fuel pump by whatever means you see fit, check connector, datalogger etc.

 

[Eclipse Freak]

ok i have fuel, right timing, spark, cranks but will not fire, also the ecu look fine checked it several times. What am I not checking?

 

[Eclipse Freak]

I have not this time but there is compression I can feel it when I was turning the cams to align it to the timing marks to check timing

 

[Arcangel2501]

are all the grounds on the engine connect and what have all you done to it before this problem started

and are you sure you got the firing order right ? i now i get tired and forget the simple stuff

 

[Eclipse Freak]

yep checked that and the cam sensor firing order and looked at all the grounds and fuses and I rebuilt the head on it then had it running not well but it was, just had the timing a bit off then, I was driving it and it started fuel dumping, got it home and it stopped firing on two cylinders and then wouldn't start at all

 

[Arcangel2501]

ok first can you get me pic of the timing on the cams and also go ahead and compression test it just b/c you fell compression on the crank or cam it can only be one cylinder that building compression and the other one can be dead

 

[steve]

What am I not checking?

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

 

[fierosail]

iv been helping him on the car ( as it stuck at my house ) we have fuel spark and compression i did that a few days ago low was 170 the high was 182. i checked timing today dow pins up dead on the marks
im checking the temp sensors tomorrow. when he drove it to my house it was fuel dumping hard as in BLACK BLACK smoke. looked like a diesel at WOT

 

[galantracer53]

i had a problem similar to this and it ended up being that the positive battery cable that goes to the starter had been cut so that could be it so id suggest checking that. also maybe the solenoid??