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

 

[ItzMigzBro]

Do you think this is enough wear to get it to not engage?

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6lq-RZU3Q8]Starter wear causing no engage? - YouTube[/ame]

 

[spyderdrifter]

No, doesn't look too worn, but is that as far as your starter gear extends from the housing? It should come out further. As colt4g63 has mentioned, go get a new starter. Ensure you get the exact one for your car, by year and model.

 

[ItzMigzBro]

When the guys at autozone and oreilys hooked it up to their machines they said it did extend out.

 

[spyderdrifter]

Have you extended the gear by hand yourself? It should do it easily. If it doesn't extend by hand, but does by machine, there might be a problem with it.

 

[gorf]

Clean your battery terminals. Even though it looks like you have power, you may not have a good enough connection for the starter.

 

[ItzMigzBro]

It is a little hard to pull it by hand. also theres a little black piece that is loose. i think i might go buy a new starter.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xeQsDqOnbQ]Loose piece = problem? - YouTube[/ame]

 

[spyderdrifter]

The gear should come out further than that. Go get yourself a new one. If you just recently got that one, go back to the same place and exchange it.

 

[ItzMigzBro]

thanks for the help! going to get a new one. will update later.

 

[spyderdrifter]

I just took a video of my starter since its been out for awhile anyway, but as you can see, the gear extends a lot further than yours is. Mine is from a GST with a manual trans.



[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMFKC6Pyd6A[/ame]

 

[ItzMigzBro]

Bought a new starter, everything on that end is good now. A new problem has risen because when i was checking to see if the crank would turn over, i left the ratchet on and changed the starter and started it with the ratchet on the crank bolt....... -_- that's why i'm in the newbie section. anyway the bolt came off along with a circle piece that i think goes behind it? i put them on tried tightening as much as the motor would let me (it would turn over as i would tighten) and also it's leaking more oil now then before somewhere on the belt side.... i'm just going to take it to the mechanic unless someone on here knows what i've done and it's easy to fix. fml.

 

[spyderdrifter]

Take a pic of where the oil is leaking from. From the range of a ratchet, I think the only thing you could damage is the oil filter housing where the oil pressure gauge sender unit hooks in.

 

[ItzMigzBro]

ok so here is the rattle that i'm not comforable with. (loudest at 45 seconds)

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7LRUYChANc]Rattle and oil leak - YouTube[/ame]

and here is the oil leak


[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJ9X9T9kLPU]oil leak - YouTube[/ame]

 

[spyderdrifter]

The oil leak could be your valve cover gasket or cam gear seals. I don't know what to tell you about the rattle/knock sound though.

 

[ItzMigzBro]

I really think its the cam gear seals. and my front main seal.

going to change those seals and take to mechanic to find out what the rattle is cause i'm too lazy.

Thank you so much for all the help!

 

[jaredS83]

I did the same thing on my very first 5speed car. Turns out the battery wasn't tied down correctly and pulled the wires loose in the terminals.

 

[MrC85]

Did you make sure you're getting fuel? If it cranks but won't start it could be a fuel problem.

 

[94allwheeldsm]

Sounds like the Cam angle sensor plug may have come off or is loose. I would check all the connections just to make sure a plug didn't fall off. I have a broke tps plug and anytime I make a rue with enough speed the cars shuts off. I just got another one I just need to wire it in.

 

[ssjrrupp]

While racing my Datsun 510 at Blackhawk Farms the engine would just cut off in a turn. When I would straighten the car out and let out the clutch it would fire up again.

Blackhawk Farms is a very small, twisty track, and therefore I could barely finish.

We checked a variety of things prior to the next race at Road America, and in fact changed out a lot of parts, including the Mallory ignition system that was in the car because when the car was setting at idle, or revved, it wouldn't fail. Obvious difference between this car and yours is that mine was old school and yours is new school...

ANYWAYS....

Got to Road America, and during qualifying, noted the car would cut out when turning right. WTF?

Got back into the pits and noted a hairline crack in the alternator mount. The belt would slack up to the alternator and the car would stall. Parts for a 1971 Datsun 510 are not standard fare at NAPA or Carquest, and therefore compensation on the track was required... took second because the my competition knew my car cut out everytime in hard, fast right handers... worst of all turn 14, where I lost the race.

Changed the alternator during the week... took it out the next week, problem solved.

My advice is to check the tightness of the alternator belt, brackets.. etc, and make sure it isn't slopping around. Even if the battery has enough juice to crank, it may not have enough to fire the whole system. You may need to simply replace the alternator as maybe it is shot.

Sorry so long but I wanted to provide some background as to the advice.

Thanks,
Justin

 

[ssjrrupp]

Hello,

Couple of quick easy things I look at in this instance:

1) Check the connections on the battery and make sure they are tight and everything is clean. Many times if they are loose, everything lights up as normal, then you turn the key to start and the whole car dies, nothing.
2) Check to make sure the connections on the starter are tight.Same symptoms as the above may apply
3) While you are down there, have a hammer with you to lightly tap on the starter. The starter may have a dead spot in it. Normally, in this instance, you will still get a click from the starter solonoid, so if you are getting no click..
4) Could be that the starter solonoid has failed and needs to be replaced. The starter solonoid is the cylinder bolted to the back of the starter.
5) Could be that the relay for the starter has failed and needs to be replaced. The relay, I believe, is found in the center portion of the dash beneath the stereo.

Checking 1 - 3 should cost nothing but time. In the instance of 4 and 5 it's time and parts as I do not know how to test them beyond checking power up to those parts.

Thanks,
Justin

 

[2gnt99]

Clean your battery terminals. Even though it looks like you have power, you may not have a good enough connection for the starter.

I can vouch for this. All the instrument lights will come on but when you go to start the car the engine won't turn over.

Clean the ground, or hit it with a wrench a few times like I do.

 

[1995silvergst]

I second Jareds83, did you have the battery properly tightened down? I have seen the battery slide on hard breaking and cornering into the hood and short the main relays out under the hood. Check these out first, then the starter relay in your car is under the radio by the fuel pump relay and ECU. I would check these out first and test them, if they check out then I would start suspecting an anti theft relay if your car was equiped with it.

 

['97gst]

The battery is tight, I haven't check the ground. The weird thing is that the fan comes on, no click from the starter. I will upload a video and show you guys what it is doing. Thanks for all the suggestions so far.

 

[LegionGS]

Hello guys, I have a 95 eclipse GS, I've been having a problem for like a year that I couldn't solve, it shuts off at random while driving or in a stop signal but normally I turned on the car and continue running. Anyways I was driving home today and the car shuts off RUNNING but won't start again so I parked on the side and I noticed that at the moment of turning the key on, I can't read the codes because there's no check engine light. Battery is okay, interior lights good but for me it looks like fuel pump died? Why? Because usually I hear the noise on the back while turning the key on, Any help will be appreciated thanks

 

[blindboarder_02]

Fuel pump could have been on the way out, fuel filter could be clogged with debris, etc.

You said you still have lights and radio? Do they fade at all? (I would check all the grounds and cables at the battery just to be sure)

Usually a fuel pump wont act like that. When it's time to go - they die. The fuel filter could be getting debris, like I said, clogged in the pick up tube. After letting it sit for a while the debris will float away allowing the car to start again.

Get someone else and have them put te key in the ignition (2 clicks forward) and put your ear up to the tank. If you dont hear it kick in, you found your problem


Good luck

 

[Browniebrown]

So I figured out the car wouldn't start because my fuel injectors were stuck closed. I put 12v of power to them. They work and the car started but the clutch wouldn't disengage. So I took the slave cylinder off to get the piston out. The clutch is disengaging but now the car won't even turn over. I've checked fuses and wiring. What am I missing. I'm sure it has something to do with the clutch. I know there is a button under the pedal. It seems to be fine. Please help. I'm so close. It's a 1990 laser fwd by the way.