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

 

[ineedagsx]

also a good cleaning tool for the extra acid is baking soda and water mixed (not goupy just a lite white color) and clean the terminals and everything or if they look shot just replace everything it wont be expensive and these cars are 10 years old at least, also make sure ## battery is still good check the age that might be the case too good luck bro

 

[SpawnedX]

It's either a bad battery or a bad alternator.

If you have so much corrosion on your terminals that it interferes with the connection, that battery is toasted. Since you can jump it, does it stay running or die out. If stays running, then chances are it's your battery.

 

[shawn hall]

I just replaed the battery!! Nothing it dosent even kick over at all i can here a humm noise like the car is getting power but the starter isint gettting any power. I touched the pos and neg wires together no spark? What does that tell us?

 

[97gst_spyder]

Check for a shitty alarm install... mine also had that going for it. The white and black ignition wires where exposed and touching. The starter wire was only held on by a few strands of copper, it wouldn't start normally, only when being jumped.

 

[snakeyes711]

I just replaed the battery!! Nothing it dosent even kick over at all i can here a humm noise like the car is getting power but the starter isint gettting any power. I touched the pos and neg wires together no spark? What does that tell us?

Your starter! check your starter! try to kick it over by bridging the terminals on the starter...wait that wouldn't work very good. Do you know anyone with a remote starter button? Check all your wiring to the starter too, maybe one has frayed loose. Its happened to me before, and left me stranded until I got a new terminal crimped on.

 

[CHPerformance]

alternator

common on eclipses the alternator ####d up

 

[shawn hall]

I just took the starter out and made sure everything was tight still not starting. Im thinking possibly the alternator?

Any way to test the alternator?

 

[1990AWD]

I just took the starter out and made sure everything was tight still not starting. Im thinking possibly the alternator?

Any way to test the alternator?

Check your voltage. A fully charged battery should be 12.6V. With the car running and your alternator working properly, the voltage should be around 14V.

 

[bluegs03]

the alternator doesnt do anything in helping you engine to start, it exists to charge your battery once the car has started.

 

[brassc2007]

all you are hearing is the fuel pump, check the cables for corrosion and make sure they are clean and tight, i just fought a problem where the factory top mounts where just shot and would set my alarm off and it would start and then not start. So you pulled the starter when you had it out did you get it tested to see if the starter was any good? Also check the ignition fuses. you can test the starter at home by grounding the body of the starter and then touching the big stud where the positive cable connects and the small stud where the ignition connects together at the same time. If it kicks in and spins its good if not then its shot. If you try this make sure to take the starter out of the car a voltage arc like that can take out electrical if still hooked up in the car

and if you have a five speed have you checked the neutral safety switch at the top of the clutch pedal assembly that would cause the starter to not have any power if it is faulty

 

[snakeyes711]

I just took the starter out and made sure everything was tight still not starting. Im thinking possibly the alternator?

Any way to test the alternator?

Did you check the ground for the battery, and starter? You said when you put the battery terminals on, there was no little spark. Did you have the key on? Check all your ground straps one may be frayed. If it'll push off then its something in your starting system.

 

[shawn hall]

Thanks for the ideas. Im going to check the neutral safety switch at the top of the clutch pedal today, as well as the ground wires AGAIN.. Ive never hurd of the neutral saftey switch though what am I looking for? And the ground wires I have one going to the starter and one going to the firwall that I bolted in. Correct?

 

[brassc2007]

at the top of your clutch pedal it is a little switch that just slides in and out when you push on the clutch. To test this take the connector off the switch, then take a paper clip and jump the two terminals together and then turn the key to start make sure you have it out of gear otherwise the car will take off on you because when you jump this switch you no longer have to push the clutch in to start it. I only use this method to test the switch.

 

[snakeyes711]

actually, I believe the ground wire is on the transmission.

G/L

Did yu say you are able to push start the car?

 

[lpfootball1341]

man i had the same problem a month ago turned out the started needed to be replaced and my battery was dead but also when i pulled the starter the bolts were stripped out and the ground wire wasnt secured, double check those, another way you can check to see if it really is your starter is to put the car in gear perferably 1st gear and rock it to rotate the starter a lil bit, if she fires than for sure it needs to be replaced or rebuilt

 

[Jimmer307]

I don't understand why you don't replace a few parts. Go buy them at Autozone, if you have the know-how, which it seems you do, replace them and do trial and error... If you do not need that new part you just replaced then return it. The battery was easy, the starter a little more difficult, alternator is easy, and double check all the wiring. Do you have a CEL on?

 

[shawn hall]

Yeah I can push start it

 

[snakeyes711]

Yeah I can push start it

Well then there ya go, your problem lies in the starting system. Did you check the clutch switch? Its really difficult to diagnose these types of problems over, teh intranets.

 

[shawn hall]

I havent checked yet been in the hospital. New daddy here haha When I get back to the house ill start trying to figure this out.

 

[shawn hall]

Put the old starter back in and it starts. Sounds like somthing in the newer one came loose.

 

[snakeyes711]

I havent checked yet been in the hospital. New daddy here haha When I get back to the house ill start trying to figure this out.

Hey congratulations!@@2@ I got two boys. Heathens I tell you. They're partners in crime.

 

[meliketoball]

My starter was acting up, so I got it tested. Didn't pass the test, so I bought a new one.

After I installed it, it grinds and doesn't sound too great. A regular starting car would have the starter spin consistently whereas my starter spins, grinds, spins, grinds, grinds, spins and then it would start.

I own a stock 7-bolt, so I don't think there is an issue with the starter plate or any mis-matching and I am positive the electrical connections are good.

I did some searching and saw that it might be an alignment issue? Also, I didn't really formally torque the starter bolts. ( I used a ratchet with socket head and a big bar for leverage.)

What else could it be? Can I shim the starter? Making the starter sit further away from the flywheel so, it wouldn't grind?

 

[juanpac0]

Have you checked to make sure all of your tranny bolts are in place and tight?

 

[meliketoball]

I attacked my starter today for a few hours.

I took it out again to inspect it, tried aligning it, shimming it, re-doing the connections, cursing at it, pleading with it, then gave up on it at around 3 PM and charged my battery for kicks.

I am starting to believe the auto store gave me a defected starter.

Lifetime warranty FTW!!!

 

[Afroclipse]

switch it out or make sure you don't have an auto starter instead.