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

 

[92cb7sk8er]

did you by a chance take the cam gears off and put them on backwards? it'll say 2.4 so your going to 180 degrees off on timing.

I didnt mess with the cams themselves but I did swap out the cam angle sensor to see if it went bad or something and it didnt change a thing...

I know its not getting spark at all.. Fuel Im not to sure it seems like it is and no to the compression test. The motor ran fine all I did was put it in a different car...

Just curious did you plug in the coil or could the coil have gone bad. not trying to make you sound like an idiot but i did something similar when i had to replace my head. i forgot to plug in my MAF and couldnt figure out why my car was running like crap.[/QUOTE]

Yeah the coil is pluged in and I have tryed two different ones. I have also tried two sets of plugs it seems like there is no spark even getting to the wires... what are the odds of both coils being bad?

 

[triston2469]

hmm. did you try new plug wires. also make sure the plug wires are getting a good connection inside the coil.

 

[Spooled420a]

what year car did you put it in? some sensors do not swap and they might be making a connection.

 

[92cb7sk8er]

hmm. did you try new plug wires. also make sure the plug wires are getting a good connection inside the coil.

I didn't try new ones but I did try two different sets. I planed on getting new wires and plugs but I don't want to drop to much money into this thing I'm already in a pretty big hole but idk if the odds are thats whats wrong I'll order some 2maro.

 

[triston2469]

i'm really not sure man. i wish you lived closer to me i would come try to help you out.

 

[92cb7sk8er]

i'm really not sure man. i wish you lived closer to me i would come try to help you out.

I know what your saying... But if there was something wrong with the motor wouldnt I be showing a CEL?

i'm really not sure man. i wish you lived closer to me i would come try to help you out.

I could always try to post a video of what its doing if that would help?

 

[triston2469]

maybe. did you actually see it run in the other car that you took it out of? if you have it narrowed down to spark then it should be something simple.

 

[92cb7sk8er]

maybe. did you actually see it run in the other car that you took it out of? if you have it narrowed down to spark then it should be something simple.

Yeah it was my other car the motor came out of. I have a red Eclipse which the tranny started to die so I bought a green one off of cragislist for $500 which had a bad motor and a good tranny. I thought it was a cheap deal and the green one was in really good shape so I took the motor out of my red one and put it in the green one and now this... But Ill take the video now if I can get it to upload Ill post the URL

[ame]http://youtu.be/gSpjbgGXvyQ[/ame]

 

[Haase]

I just finished installing a new clutch and cams and ECMlink into my 97 GST, I have everything set accordingly to my setup in link. Timing is perfectly on, Injectors are firing and bringing in fuel, spark plugs are clearly getting spark, but are also getting soaked with fuel. I even put the stock 450 injectors back in to make sure the injectors were correct. Cam angle sensor was checked multiple times and is installed correctly. The car turns over and builds compression but will not start. Car ran fine before new parts. Very unsure of what else I can check.
Thanks!

 

[92AWDHX40]

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

check for cels, and recheck everything again.

 

[95GSTowner]

Finally got the car to start and it runs good now. The problem was the previous owner installed the crank timing plate backwards. Basically it made the crank timing mark off by about an inch. Balance shafts were deleted so there's no balance shaft belt or it would have been obvious because I'm sure it would be shreading the belt. the car was running fine when my friend got it so the previous owner must have set the crank timing by TDC only and not by the timing mark. Thanks to all for your help.

Please mark as resolved, thanks

 

[hofmania]

Hello...

Was pretty jacked this afternoon thinking that I would get to make my first "hey look what I can do!" post, but alas that's not the case. Here's what went down today...

#1 Exhaust Install

Had a beeyoch of a time getting a few bolts out and off. Installed it the first time starting at the back, but couldn't get it to line up. Started at the cat and installed it just fine. Sprayed PB blaster all over the damn place and still couldn't get them loose. While I was waiting between sprays I pulled the 02 sensor out from under the drivers side seat (thanks forums!). Then started working on installing my new mishimoto radiator from ludachris.

#Radiator install

1. Remove and clean overflow tank
2. Drain entire system
3. Remove fans
4. Remove old radiator
5. Reverse steps with new radiator

At this point, I wasn't sure how to refill so I consulted the forums. Most recommended a flush with some distilled water so I did that, car started up fine. Let it run for a bit, gave it a few revs like someone also recommended and saw some smoke coming out from the heat cover of the headers. I had sprayed PB blaster there earlier so that I could check on the health of the headers. Turned it off and...

Drained out the water to get a nice flush. Sealed bottom cap and refilled with water + coolant using the 70/30 mixture most recommend (live in CA). Let the car warm up to wait for bubbles and top off. Gave a few more revs and saw some light smoke (nothing major either time). At this point I was getting worried so I shut her down to check my connections. Felt good and went to start her back up...

Nothing...

I can turn it and just get the hum from some electricity flowing. Windows go up and down, convertible top works, radio plays, no engine turn over though.

Checked the spark plugs, clean, normal wear (just put them in 2 weeks ago with new wires and replaced battery with a red top and new terminals)

When I leave it in accessory there is only "brake" "oil" and "srs" no check engine light on.

There was some excess oil on top of the valve cover, so I took that off, cleaned it up and put it back on.

Sooooo...where do I go now? Alternator? Starter? CAS? Looking for some guidance on the most likely issue - I've read about most, but don't want to start replacing without asking. I'm at my searched knowledge limit!

Thanks in advance

1996 Eclipse GST Spyder // 120k

 

[dsmgst1996]

Really sounds like a bad ground to me or a dead battery .

 

[hofmania]

Really sounds like a bad ground to me or a dead battery .

That would be fantastic. Ill try to jump it tomorrow. Any other ideas?

Turns out it was the starter...going to have to replace now

 

[Danny08]

So my air/fuel ratio gauge was showing lean. my car was smoking from the exhaust so i tried to tight the air intake, and now my car wont start. What did i do wrong? did i mess up any sensor?

Oh by the way, every time i disconnect the intake, and re-connect it i get some battery power back, but it wont start and i loose all power again.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

PLEASE HELP!!

It's a 1998 eclipse GST

 

[TSiAWD666]

When you say it doesn't start, is it:
1) Not cranking
2) Cranking, but not firing
3) Cranking, firing, only to shut down relatively quickly

My first thought is that something is screw with your fuse box or its wiring, due to the proximity with the intake. I've seen the wires wear down and short from an intake touching them too often. Could also perhaps be something rusty/loose inside the fusebox that you're slightly restoring connectivity to when messing with the intake.

 

[Danny08]

I GOT IT TO WORK

There was dirt inside the sensor connected from the fuse box to the intake... thank god! Thank you for your time bro... really appreciated it!

Its running on rich air flow once again

 

[eric4g63]

I took the fuel line off a 1gnt it goes from the filter on the firewall to the fuel rail and put it on my 1gt and it wont run now it has gas to the rail and all the copper washers on it

 

[92AWDHX40]

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

 

[Nitrobasher]

Is there fuel pressure to the rail? Verify pressure at the rail first. Sometimes older cars just need a few extra cranks to fire up. Especially after they've lost fuel pressure.

 

[TSI_AWD_FTW]

Okay so it's spark, I'm not getting spark. I've swapped coil pack and transistor out with known good ones and nothing was fixed. All the fuses look good, I'm just stuck. I've also swapped out ecu with known good one. It is getting some spark, but it's not enough to spark the plugs.

 

[samus21]

I was driving the other day and the car shut off. now it cranks but wont start. the engine is stock besides a manual boost controller. The speedometer guage wouldl jump to 80 when i pressed the gas pedal all the way down, if that helps. the timing is fine and i can hear the fuel pump wine when i turn the key. I recently changed the spark plugs. any help would be appreciated.

 

[95GSTowner]

Check the CAS & the MPI fuse. The guide below has served me well.

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

 

[Nitrobasher]

First things first. You need fuel, air and spark for ignition. Check for fuel pressure at the rail. Next check for spark at the wires and plugs. If you have both of those I'd check your timing.

 

[Kevin4G63]

I don't with a 1g but with my galant theres a black connector at the firewall, you can connect it to the positive battery terminal to let the pump work the air out of the rail/system