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

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

solved my no start issue and hope this helps others. - IF you haven't disabled your clutch switch to start the car, make sure the rubber pad that pushes the clutch switch in is still on your pedal.....mine was in 3 pcs, fell out and wouldn't push the plunger in. I disabled the clutch switch and viola....it starts. Now the bad news.....went to track just for kicks and giggles to see what the little thing would do and it ran pretty good but I am not done with my tune so it was just a thing for me and my 15 yr old son to do on a Friday nite. Loaded up all our tools (just in case) and aluminum floor jack (nice 3 pumps and its off the ground kind), drove a hour and 20 minutes to the track, made a few easy passes and then someone stole all our stuff.......Now I cant even change oil. Going shopping for 400-500.00 worth of tools and a new jack. Man that suks sooooo much I like to choke the sticky handed person but have no idea who it was. We all know sometimes we have to fabricate tools to work on these things and all my stuff is gone....Woh is me Lesson.....just leave the tools and stuff in the car. Damn glad I left my computer in it.

 

[Talyn]

Sucks about the tools, when I left one of my jobs someone stole $1k worth of tools out of my box before I came back for it. One of them was an almost $500 snapon air hammer that I actually still owed money on, I had only used it like 3x.

 

[fastfred]

Do you have a rpm reading when you try to start it? Did you scan it?

 

[Matt_4G63]

I had a similar problem with my 4G63, it ended up being the camshaft position sensor. I replaced everything you did too before I figured it out.

 

[evanspears1]

Hey Guys,

Been away from the forum and DSMs in general for awhile, but im back with a lil bit of a problem. I recenty bought a 97 spyder gs w/ a 4g64 2.4l motor. The car looks pretty dang good, and everything but a couple body kit pieces are there. I only gave 400$ for it, knowing it wasnt running right. The guy who had it before me said he bought it from an impound yard or something like that, he said he had it running a couple times while he had it.

When I first brought the car home, it would do nothing, not even crank. I replaced the ignition switch, it cranked for a lil bit, then stopped, found the actual problem to be the starter relay behind the cd player so for now its hard wired to bypass it. So then I started looking for air, fuel, and spark. Noticed the fuel pump wasnt kicking on so I did a temporary hard wire to it to get the fuel pumping. Pump runs, pulled the rail inlet just to be 100% sure fuel was making its way that far, and its flowing great. Still no start

Next I went looking for spark, and this is where im stumped. I tried the old "stick a screwdriver in the boot, and see if it will arc to something" trick, and I have no spark. First thing I thought of since technically the car isnt giving me fuel or spark is the caps have went bad in the ecu. Pulled the ecu, and everything looks fine in there.

I have an ignition control module ordered, but thats is just a guess in the dark to see if it will work, Ill find out on the 8th. One other thing I noticed is, I have one of those bluetooth obd scanner things. When I plug it in, the lil status light comes on, and my tablet will connect to the adapter, but the adapter is saying it cant communicate with the ecu. Do I have a fried ecu even though the caps are good?

Im kinda stumped on this one, and would greatly appreciate any and all help for this, even though its a bastard 4g64 car. If anyone knows any better forums for 4g64 cars please let me know bc I couldnt find any, and this frum is mostly oriented to 4g63 cars.

Thanks again for all the great help guys!

Evan

 

[RidleyNoah]

I'm having starting issues with my 1999 GS Eclipse. I drove it today and it ran fine. Parked it for about 15 minutes and then went to start it again and it wouldn't crank. All lights came on but it wouldn't crank. I thought maybe the battery was low and tried to jump it and nothing. It bump started right away.

Do you guys think it might be the clutch safety switch or maybe starter?

Thanks for any input.

Oh yeah, there was no clicking or any noise at all.

 

[fastfred]

. Id start with a visual check of the battery terminals. Then check for power at the starter if you have power get a jumper wire and ground it, with it grounded try to start it. If it still wont start/click nothing tap it with the handle of a hammer while trying to start it. usually I skip the hammer part and slap a starter on.

 

[SrKegler]

Sounds like the safety switch to me especially when you couldn't jump start it, but could bump start. I unhooked mine years ago after that happened. I "think" I just unclipped the white part of the switch but been so long I can't remember.

 

[RidleyNoah]

Sounds like the safety switch to me especially when you couldn't jump start it, but could bump start. I unhooked mine years ago after that happened. I "think" I just unclipped the white part of the switch but been so long I can't remember.

I'll try that tomorrow. I thought that might be an easier place to start than the starter. Thanks for the help.

 

[evanspears1]

So I finally got the car running! Just in case anyone has a similar problem to this, here is what caused my no fuel/spark issue. There are two relays that are together on a bracket that is bolted to the passenger side radio/dad support thing, one of which was the MFI relay, found that it was not kickin on. Replaced it, and car started right up. The starter relay is still being stupid though, it will work fine 99% of the time but will randomly not work and I have to pull it, and use a jumper to start the car. Any ideas what would cause it to behave like that?

 

[Aakrid]

hey guys, im newer to posting on this forum, so ill give it a shot. ive got a '96 spyder gs, 2.4L, with approx 114k miles on it. ran strong with no issues other than the MAF has always been unplugged, yet throwing now check engine codes as I recall seeing, it has been over a year since this issue though. I was driving and going about 80mph on some back roads when all of a sudden my car died with no warning. tried to start it for a while but no luck. it would turn over and sound like it wants to fire, but nothing. spark plugs getting spark, fuel pump is good, ran off of some starter fluid but still won't run. Any suggestions on what it could be?

 

[Proud Owner]

spark and fuel are always the first things to check. if you're SURE you're getting spark (sounds like you are if it ran on starter fluid) and you hear the pump running I'd check fuel pressure first because it could be a clogged fuel filter although I'd think you'd have poor running conditions before it would go 100% clogged. I think the end of the fuel rail has a check valve where you can put a tester on it. Autozone will loan you a fuel pressure gauge for free. If you have fuel pressure I dont know about DSMs but my honda has a safety relay on the fuel injectors. if the airbag is deployed (or other problems occur) the ECU shuts the injectors off to prevent fires with this relay. if that relay goes bad the injectors stop working. a chilton or haynes manual will have the electrical diagrams and will show you if your car has this relay or not. let us know what you find.

 

[Aakrid]

well. fuel pressure is good. started for a little bit off of starting fluid when I just went out, spark is fine. possibly an ecu issue? doing a compression test later hopefully.

 

[Proud Owner]

I'd highly doubt compression test will show you a reason for it not running on its own. If you checked fuel pressure I'd be VERY willing to bet its a relay like previously mentioned. or a fuse. I have a chilton that probably covers your model. I'll try to remember to take a look at the diagrams in there when I get a min.

 

[Aakrid]

I have a Chilton too. I replaced the fuel pump relay, but didn't need to do that seeing as I was still getting pressure a compression test could possibly show me a bent valve pointing towards timing, but don't you think if it will run fine on starting fluid that timing isn't the issue? I have checked my fuses like 100,000 times hoping it was something that simple =-( I know it isn't the fuel pressure regulator because that would at least let it run somewhat without starting fluid =-(

 

[Proud Owner]

the cam angle sensor would also most likely cause the injectors not to fire. but I'm assuming that's ok since you didnt mention anything about a check engine light. you might want to read the codes just to be sure.

 

[Aakrid]

I was unsure about the check engine light being on or off :/ I was actually just headed back out to check on the codes seeing as ive been out there numerous times turning it over to hopefully throw a code. on my 2.4l NT where is my cam sensor located? I haven't really dug into that yet. was gonna go test injector relay too.

 

[Aakrid]

just pulled the code that it popped up and its with idling system. only code I got

 

[Proud Owner]

well... not sure what that's all about. I found this. it goes through locating and testing the sensors etc. its mostly about ignition which you're getting, but there's some hopefully helpful things about the injectors and sensors etc. maybe someone else will chime in. http://easyautodiagnostics.com/mitsubishi_ignition_tests/test_ignition_coil_1.php

 

[Aakrid]

ok, just tested the fuel pump and injectors relays, with the pictured test. Both test out as they should.

 

[RidleyNoah]

Got my car fixed. There was a plastic washer on the clutch safety switch that was broken. Changed it out and all is good. Thank you guys for the help.

 

[SmgHunter]

So I was in the middle of a beautiful pull last night when I go for the 3-4 shift and don't quite fully get into 4th and the car dies. It will only crank and won't fire. I came back to the car today and I find half of my bs belt laying by my master cylinder. The PO rebuilt the engine and replaced all of the belts besides the bs belt (what an a**hole) Its a 95 talon tsi awd. I'm assuming either A: when the balance shaft belt broke it hit the cas destroying it or B: when it broke it it was sucked into the timing belt jumping my timing and trashing my valvetrain. (I removed the oil cap and the rockers that I can see still look intact). It won't be flatbeded home for 2 days so I'm trying to get a jump on the problem!

 

[athlete3344]

Odds are it trashed the CAS. I had the same thing happen to me. The plate with it was dented and demolished the sensor.

 

[Calan]

Sounds like you already know the most likely problems.

 

[SmgHunter]

Does the CAS send a signal to the tach cause when I try to start it the tach doesn't twitch or anything?