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

 

[whiteclaw95]

I was in that boat but it was just the serpentine belt. Now after not driving the car for a week went out for a drive and didnt want to start. Not even the starter kicks in. Now Im doing my research. Life of a dsm'er

 

[mrmadsm]

were you low in gas? did you add any gas? if you were on empty, you may have picked up sediment from the bottom of the tank and clogged an injector, and cranking it a couple times may have cleaned out the injector.

 

[2g spyder eclipse]

Nah, was maybe a half tank? doesn't explain why it didn't start. It was like it had no fuel or spark, the motor just turned and turned.

 

[gabe600r]

You guys really need to get off the starter kick it's not that I already changed it once cause it went bad from cranking it so much

 

[Dsmkauai]

Check base fuel pressure. Could have a bad seal on the fuel pump allowing pressure to bleed down when car is turned off. Its hard to say what your problem is because your not explaining it very good bro! Post 13 doesn't help any!! And if your running glad in your fuel system no wonder it runs like crap haha!

 

[stunt2]

faulty fuel pump maby ?

 

[gabe600r]

Just saw that ha ha supposed to be gas.

 

[solson1041]

I have a 93 TSi FWD. I bought it needing lots of work and I recently rebuild the top and bottom end of the motor and the turbo. The fuel and ignition systems have remained relatively untouched.

The car will start after about 3-5 seconds of cranking if it's been sitting for a day or so and it idles decently well and you can drive it without any horrible problems. But if you turn the car off, then try to restart it, no amount of cranking the starter or starting fluid straight into the throttle body will get it to start. It's getting spark, and I believe I small fresh fuel. I'm at a loss. My dad with old-school car knowledge thinks it's a sign of bad compression. While I'm sure it's possible my compression isn't the best (I haven't had a chance to test lately and it's still a "freshly" rebuilt motor, so compression isn't even "settled" yet.) I don't see how bad compression would really relate to this.

If anyone could shed some light on this, I'd really appreciate it, I'm seriously at a loss to solving this problem, it takes spark fuel and compression to make a motor go, what changes between a cold start and a "hot" start to keep it from starting?

It should also be mentioned that an aggressive (~30mph) bump start will restart the motor when it's hot, but that really doesn't make much sense either, the electric starter seems to crank just fine.

 

[Boostdriven]

I agree with your dad, check the compression. I've seen this problem before on my friends car, the valve job he got wasn't very good so his valves were not seating property causing the loss of compression. Maybe BogusSVO can shed some light on this, he seems to have good ideas when it comes to things like this.

 

[solson1041]

BogusSVO is the man and you're right, he probably knows.

To be honest, I would be quick to doubt my workmanship through the motor. It was my first go'round with it and I did a valve job on the motor myself. I thought I lapped/seated them all properly, but maybe not.

I am curious why exactly bad valve seats would cause this problem though. I'll believe their the culprit, but I don't understand why it would have trouble starting hot and not cold.

 

[synthetek]

A bad CAS can cause hot start issues, also check the fuel pressure solenoid, and coolant temp sensors.

 

[arabeclipse]

I was thinking the same thing as Synthetek as far as coolant temp sensor.

 

[jjw205]

Yea, the two things that stand out to me on a hot start would be Fuel Pressure Solenoid, and the Coolant Temp Sensor.

I'd bet it's one of those.

 

[eDeclpse92]

The main things that change between a cold motor and a hot motor are the compression numbers and fuel. Compression will rise and fuel should decrease a little. When a motor is cold, it runs a little more rich than when it is at operating temperature. Like mentioned above, I would start with the coolant temperature sensor. It's easy to diagnose and replace if need be (and it's cheap). Then move to the fuel. I believe, fuel pressure should be somewhere around 39 or 40 psi at idle for a stock motor.

 

[solson1041]

The main things that change between a cold motor and a hot motor are the compression numbers and fuel. Compression will rise and fuel should decrease a little. When a motor is cold, it runs a little more rich than when it is at operating temperature. Like mentioned above, I would start with the coolant temperature sensor. It's easy to diagnose and replace if need be (and it's cheap). Then move to the fuel. I believe, fuel pressure should be somewhere around 39 or 40 psi at idle for a stock motor.

Thanks a ton. Actually, over the course of the rebuild my coolant sensor DID become damaged. I hadn't had it high on my priority list because I didn't realize it would make any meaningful difference to the ECU, I thought it was just the gauge. I'll get that sorted out and see if my problems don't go away.

I'm really glad I don't have to pull the head now .

 

[92AWDHX40]

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

 

[MathixPerforman]

I have a 95 talon tsi awd auto and having a similar problem.

 

[RussianEclipse]

Alright I'm seriously done with this car. I go to start it and nothing just cranks.
I replaced everything
New fuel pump
New coils
New crank angle sensor
New cam angle sensor
New plugs
New plug wires
New mfi/mpi relay it's a 97-99 rewired to my 95 harness
New timing belt (perfect time)
All new belts
New alternator
New starter
New head gasket
New thermostate
I replaced it all and still just cranks and will not start and I still have no spark and the new fuel pump will not turn on! WTF is going on here (sorry for the language I'm so done with this car)
Help would be great but do not ask if I have such and such cause clearly it's all replaced.

 

[TSicktalon]

Check to see if the ECU is fried.

 

[Night devil]

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/articles-miscellaneous/217951-how-diagnose-no-start.html
Walk through this a step by step, helps alot. Also check if there is any wires are cut off from your engine harness. Had this problem ended up wires were cut off.
Good luck

 

[BIRDCLAWTSi]

Do you have an alarm??

Does the check engine light come on when you turn the key to the on position?

Does a theft light flash on the dash when the key is off?

Did you check compression?

Check your grounds.

It could be a broken wire, Blown fuse, Grab a dvom and a sevice manual and start diagnosing! Look at the wiring diagram for powertrain management and follow the wires.

Good luck.
-Dave

 

[Norcalgsx707]

Alright I'm seriously done with this car. I go to start it and nothing just cranks.
I replaced everything
New fuel pump
New coils
New crank angle sensor
New cam angle sensor
New plugs
New plug wires
New mfi/mpi relay it's a 97-99 rewired to my 95 harness
New timing belt (perfect time)
All new belts
New alternator
New starter
New head gasket
New thermostate
I replaced it all and still just cranks and will not start and I still have no spark and the new fuel pump will not turn on! WTF is going on here (sorry for the language I'm so done with this car)
Help would be great but do not ask if I have such and such cause clearly it's all replaced.

Have you replaced the ECU ?

 

[dsmcurse]

Will it push start to life?

 

[RussianEclipse]

Ecu is good chck engine light comes on (stays on no cat so no o2 sensor) and stock boost gague moves up then when car is off stops so ecu is good. it's a 95 Gst 5 speed and I have both manuals and did all routine stuff went thru all possibilities. There is the theft system but no light it's weird the alarm goes off only when I lock the car when it's off. If I lock it when the car is running ( key out turbo timer keeps car on for 15 seconds) does not activate system. All wires seem to be good did a lot of checking and all fuses are good. Just check ignition switch and transistors they are all good. I did decided to check codes again and got the p0335 code so I guess maybe my new crank angle sensor was bad. But any other ideas?

Oh ad correction I have new valuve cover gasket not head gasket and compression is good. Car ran perfect then wouldn't start out of nowhere

 

[dsmcurse]

Again, I ask will it push start?