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

 

[cmfd]

when ever i just heard a click it has been a bad or loose connection.

just wondering was it a brand new, reman, or junkyard starter.

 

[TAL0NTSi]

Make sure to double check your ground wires.

 

[95 GS-T]

still having issues?

 

[yolo23]

Brandnew just try to jump it andnothin

So the factory alarm wouldn't.have anything to do with it

 

[2GCruiser]

Check fuses

 

[Str8Tune]

Re-Check all the starter wires grounds etc. Could be as simple as just flip-flopping two wires

 

[dsm4life91tsi]

all else fails check ecu

 

[miguelmcv]

Factory Alarm has nothing to do with no Cranking.

Check your MFI Relay, It is located at the back of the radio.

Here is a how to..

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/newbie-forum/263224-mfi-mpi-relay.html

 

[dsm4lif3]

Why did you replace the starter to begin with? Were you just assuming it was the starter because it didnt crank? Maybe bench test the old starter if you still have it and make sure that was at fault. If the starter that you had replaced happens to be bad i would deff check all the connections over again. Check fuses grounds as they stated above.

 

[yolo23]

Also now when I get in my car none of the floor lights come on but when I'm about to start the car th dash lights up and radio turns on

 

[Abe'sGST]

Did you check to make sure the old starter was bad? Also make sure the STARTER ground cable is connected and that battery is fully charged.

 

[miguelmcv]

It sounds more like a ground connection, Check all ground, clean them up or sand them if you can for better connection.

 

[NHerron]

Well the battery source voltage sounds appropriate, but can you test voltage drop across starter during cranking? Place one probe on starter ground, and another probe on the positive post of starter. If you see less than 9.6V, one of your battery cable has really high resistance (corrosion not seen to the eye)

As long as you don't have an alarm system, clutch position should not matter. In computers, 1 means voltage is present (ON) and 0 means no voltage present (OFF). Here's your diagram from the 97-99 Electrical service manual. My 95-96 manuals suck, they don't have much info.

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

 

[Awesomewheeldrive]

Go to the local parts store. Buy some female spade connectors and some 14-16g wire. Put a female connector on one end the wire and connect it to where the one wire clip on the starter goes. Then take the other end of the wire and touch the positive of your battery. When i swapped starters that wire stopped working, so i had to hardwire it and it worked fine. But if you hear a click and the battery is good, i would see how hard it is to turn your crank. If the starter is clicking but not turning the engine, it could have spun a bearing and have locked up the motor. Thats what happened to me on my ride home from buying my tsi and thats why i had to rebuild my engine.

 

[goldeninja20]

Touch the two bolts together on the starter. It will spark but it will turn over the starter just incase it is stuck

 

[paintballer999]

I had just found out that my ecu was broken so i had it fixed by ecmtuning.com. Now i get spark and it smells like fuel in the engine bay after i try to start the car a few times. i thought maybe i had the cas backwards but i did the rotation of the inside piece and still the engine will not run or even backfire. i pulled out the hose from the end of the fuel rail to see if there was fuel in it and it leaked out a little bit when i pulled the hose off. should there be more than a little bit of fuel coming out or does that sound right? any ideas as to what may be the issue causing it to not work? the engine has been rebuilt so everything thing inside is new, gaskets to spark plug wires.

 

[BurrowZ]

Here is all the information you will need:

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

 

[paintballer999]

thanks, hope this works

 

[Grizbomb1684]

put new coil pack in the ohmed with in spec still coin same thing I'm going crazy trying to get this car running :-(

So I've done a new coolant temp sensor, Ecu, cas, igniter card, coil packs, plugs and still no start I'm goin crazy

 

[krazy4]

Replaced the fuel pump with a walbro 190. The car is now getting fuel.

HOWEVER, fuel is not coming out of the injectors. Fuel is getting through the fuel filter, so the only thing left to hinder the fuel not getting to the motor would be the rail and the injectors.

Can the injectors get clogged easily with old gas? Car sat for 5 years before I got it? Or are there some relays I should check out? Still need to check the ECU to make sure that works.

Car is soooo close to starting. Any help is appreciated.

 

[Awesomewheeldrive]

You can check if your injectors are getting power. If they are then id say they are clogged. I have an extra set of turbo injectors. so if you find out they are bad let me know

 

[krazy4]

You can check if your injectors are getting power. If they are then id say they are clogged. I have an extra set of turbo injectors. so if you find out they are bad let me know

Do you just check the voltage on the injectors? Sorry, don't know how to check if they're getting power.

 

[92AWDHX40]

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

 

[Lofty]

I dont have much to add that hasnt already been covered. But to check the cas, un bolt it. Throw it to key on, and rotate it. You will hear the injectors blipping. If you hear this its not the cas. Work in a linear way. Cas to ECU to pump. This should cover the electricals.

 

[krazy4]

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

Nice, that's an awesome thread. I'll be trying everything on there when I get a chance and hopefully this turd will start up. Thanks for the link.

I dont have much to add that hasnt already been covered. But to check the cas, un bolt it. Throw it to key on, and rotate it. You will hear the injectors blipping. If you hear this its not the cas. Work in a linear way. Cas to ECU to pump. This should cover the electricals.

Thanks, I'll check it out.