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

 

[livedsm4g63]

In no way am I trying to start something. As an fyi
1) You take off TB elbow/intercooler pipe, car starts
2) SD was selected.
3) After looking at the tune there was Numerous things wrong with the tune.
4) With all of the piping on, the car would not start.
5) SD table was not tuned for your car.
6) Car wouldnt start with MAF unplugged

The chance of it being a MAF is less than 0.000001%

But whatever, add it to the unsolved mysteries. aka, tune.

 

[dsmfrlife]

i have a 95 eagle talon tsi well I was driving to work the other day and ran absolutely perfect. Then I went to the store to get some drinks and when I got back in it o cranked it, it wouldn't start I have fuel I didn't see any spark arcing off the coil pack when I tested it so I replaced the coil pack wires and plugs and still no start.... helpppp

 

[Talyn]

Did replacing the coils give you spark? Did you check that it wasn't a fault in the wiring harness going to the coils?

 

[synthetek]

Check the transistor pack and cam angle sensor.

 

[evoredy]

Agreed on the transistor pack and cam/crank sensor connectors (between the engine and driver's side firewall). Clean all the corrosion/if any and re-seat. Have a good look at your fuse-box/fuses too. Does your check engine light illuminate with key-on still?

This may also be fuel pump/fuel pump relay related. I've never had that issue, but I have had many issues with the transistor unit connector corroded or not seated 100% (tach would jump around too).

Good luck!

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

I too am having the no start problem all of a sudden out of no where, in my instance mine will not crank. Lights come on but do not dim when I try to turn it over. Not to jack a thread but can anyone else who has had this happen just point me in a general direction. Sounds simple, maybe a fuse? Or do they have a "starter fuse"? Radio, lights, etc stay on without dimming when I try to crank her over. I didn't want to waste time doing things that I don't need to but would do anything to get it to crank. Had a charger on battery also and still no crank. Moderators if you feel you need to move this thread, please do. Thank you to all my friends.

 

[98JSims41]

I had something like this happen last summer and kicked my ass for like a week it ended up being a battery terminal and the battery was only a year old

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

I'll go right to the terminal and clean and reinstall. Did yours just "not turn over" but everything else seemed to function? And thank you.

 

[98JSims41]

Mine didn't turn over but all my lights worked and when I had the key in crank position I had this relay under my headunit clicking like crazy( I think it was the mpi or something) but it happened right after I put a timing belt on so I completely overlooked the battery so I took everything off the wigled it around and it started right up

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

Man I can only wish mine is similar. It had no issues, then my oldest son drove it a couple days just to see how it ran and all was good when he parked it. I does exactly the same, but not a lot of clicking, just once that I can here but I cannot here the starter try to engage. I had my youngest son hit the key while I was under the hood and yes there is a click but it isn't the starter. I am going to charge the battery just to say I did. When I get home I will pull the terminals off and clean and inspect and reinstall and cross my fingers while clicking my heels together 3 times (im from Kansas toto, ). Thank you very much!!!

 

[dsmfrlife]

I haven't checked the wiring yet I'll probably check my transistor next then wiring when I crank it over I can hear the fuel pump Wally 255 typical wine and I can hear the fuel pump relay I'm going to check the resistance on the coil pack tonight or tomorrow I just had time to put it on before having to head to work haven't been able to do the troubleshooting or where to start exactly now there are some occasions where it will start I have to hold the gas in a little to keep it running and it sounds like it's missing but then it just dies right off

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

Boy that intermittent stuff is sure hard to get a handle on. Good grounds, put a sparkplug in a wire and make sure you have good blue spark jumping so you can check that off since you say you can here your Wally working so fuel doesn't really sound like an issue. Just tryin to help.

 

[92AWDHX40]

Spark fuel compression, mpi, ign fuse,, ptu, coil pack, cts sensor, fuel pump relay, starter ground, starter, cas. Ive had every no start issue from valves bent just a tad, compression bad cylinder wash out, ecu, cts. Some ideas check them out.

 

[livedsm4g63]

Ive had every no start issue from valves bent just a tad, compression bad cylinder wash out, ecu, cts. Some ideas check them out.

Been there, done that. Its never fun. When you own a dsm as long as some of us do, you encounter all no starts

 

[92AWDHX40]

Yep believe it or not I got 20 years experience with these things going on 21 this fall. Seen it all.

 

[iguanahotsauce]

So I just finished re assembling my talon and it will not start. I had it apart to replace a bad head gasket and a few broken bolts. I followed the vfaq guide on removal and replacement of the head gasket and timing belt. I did not disassemble the head and replace any valves or valve stem seals because they all looked good. Checked the crank angle to make sure it was the right direction, checked spark, checked fuel, and the compression. Three cylinders are good but cylinder three has zero compression. Did a wet test and didn't see any improvements, still zero compression. I know my next step is to do a leak down test but I am moving this weekend and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions as to what it might be other than a bad head gasket or something is wrong with the piston. I'm really hoping for something that I can do without having to tear down the engine again as I have had so much bad luck lately but from the results I am getting that is what I think I am going to have to do. Thanks in advance for any advice or help everyone.

 

[iguanahotsauce]

Actually now that I thought about it I wasn't hearing the fuel pump prime so I went to check it. Don't hear the fuel pump turn on at all. It is fairly new, I replaced it a couple hundred miles before I stopped driving the car and it worked great. Any ideas?

 

[iguanahotsauce]

Shouldn't it still start with three cylinders and just run really horrible? I can't get it to fire at all, doesn't even sound like it's igniting. Although that could be due to no fuel. I'm using starting fluid to get it started but I'm not having any luck

 

[c2ypt1c]

An easy way to check for fuel pressure is to crack open the fuel rail inlet (or outlet), have someone crank it over, and see if fuel comes out (make sure to use a rag and be careful). For spark, an easy way to check is to hold the spark plug up to the valve cover and see if it arcs while cranking.

Were you having the similar issues prior to installing the new head gasket? What made you decide to change it?

 

[iguanahotsauce]

I know for sure the fuel pump isn't turning on. Also all four plugs spark. The plug order from left to right on the coil pack is 4123 with 1 being the cylinder closest to the timing belt right? I wasn't having this issue when I decided to replace the head gasket, I was having problems with no power. Found out it was because two of the bolts connecting the exhaust manifold to the turbine housing were broken causing a massive air leak. I took off the head because there were a few broken studs for the exhaust manifold when I went to take it off.

 

[dsmfrlife]

I looked at the wiring and the cad they all looked good went to go start it and saw a little pig of smoke and took the plugs off the coil and two of the four are like a Dirty silver color like they are burnt and the other two are fine

 

[rezalas]

As the title suggests, my engine (420a) would try to start but not succeed (at first it started twice, but died both times immediately). I've checked the fuses, spark plugs, wires, replaced the fuel pump and filter, checked the starter, replaced the ignition coil, and verified that there is in fact fuel in the tank (first obviously). When I pulled the intake off I noticed that there is a large amount of oil coating the plenum and plenum side of the throttle body. I'm not a mechanic, so I need some advice on if this is normal or if I need to do leak tests to find an oil leak on the engine (something I'm already going to do for other parts since the entire engine bay is an oily mess). Anticipating issues and desiring to actually make headway, I've actually pulled the engine (which was a learning experience, but reading is something I do a lot anyway). I have the engine out on a hoist and ready to be cleaned so I can start washing down the bay and engine to get rid of all the oil build up. Any helpful advice would be appreciated.

 

[stolenracer]

Ffor the no start issue a car needs 3 main things to start (spark,fuel,compression). I would do a compression check see if you have compression if you know for sure you are getting spark and fuel. the oil comes from the pcv valve. You are getting oil fumes into your intake its pretty normal but should be taken care of. This is where a catch can setup has an advantage

 

[David dsm]

Have you checked the ignition module in the steering wheel happened to my galant a while back was getting spark and everything but i guess the module was firing correctly

 

[David dsm]

Sorry steering column haha