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

 

[WickedBlk95GSX]

im having the same problem. i checked the part number and it is the right starter. i had a new flywheel put in a few months ago, put the started on friday and its doing it im starting to think they make have put the wrong flywheel in. could they have put a gs rs flywheel in a 7 bolt awd 5 speed bell housing? does anyone know the tooth count on the 420a flywheel and the 7 bolt awd 5speed flywheel?

ok so talk to shep last night, he said it sounds like the dail pins. he said if you pull the transand the dail pins are in the trans and not in the block you need to replace those. well i did that tried to turn it over and still grinding .
well took the trans back out for the 3rd time and looked at trans alittle more and found out the plate in between the trans and the engine was for a gs-t and not for a gs-x. we fixed that and guess what it fixed it its always the simple stuff that gets you.but there are some ideas for you to try out. let me know what you find.good luck.

 

[juanpac0]

im having the same problem. i checked the part number and it is the right starter. i had a new flywheel put in a few months ago, put the started on friday and its doing it im starting to think they make have put the wrong flywheel in. could they have put a gs rs flywheel in a 7 bolt awd 5 speed bell housing? does anyone know the tooth count on the 420a flywheel and the 7 bolt awd 5speed flywheel?

ok so talk to shep last night, he said it sounds like the dail pins. he said if you pull the transand the dail pins are in the trans and not in the block you need to replace those. well i did that tried to turn it over and still grinding .
well took the trans back out for the 3rd time and looked at trans alittle more and found out the plate in between the trans and the engine was for a gs-t and not for a gs-x. we fixed that and guess what it fixed it its always the simple stuff that gets you.but there are some ideas for you to try out. let me know what you find.good luck.

420a's have modular clutches, so this is highly unlikely.

 

[WickedBlk95GSX]

yeah thats not the case it was the spacer between the motor and trans i was giving him some ideas

 

[Beemer92]

If you can, check the flywheel for damage. The starter engaging, grinding, and engaging again doesn't seem like a failed starter. At least I've never heard or seen one do that. On lining up the starter, I'd use the marks of where the old starter was. I'll be faint, be you should be able to see it with a good light. That's my $0.02.

 

[IgotBoost91]

Did the starter come with a starter shim?

 

[Eeeeky]

Please let me know what you find here...My 97 GSX is doing the exact same thing, only it wont turn the engine, just grind grind grind. Checked the flywheel, and it looks pretty good. Also did a new starter, but nothing. Help experts!

 

[WickedBlk95GSX]

Please let me know what you find here...My 97 GSX is doing the exact same thing, only it wont turn the engine, just grind grind grind. Checked the flywheel, and it looks pretty good. Also did a new starter, but nothing. Help experts!

did you or the previous order have a new engine put in your car?

 

[Eeeeky]

I actually just rebuilt the engine yes. Same block/transmission housing, but new internals. Same flywheel even. If worked good for a month or two after the rebuild as well. Just slowly got worse, to the point that it just grinds all day long. (of course i dont just sit and let it grind...hehe)

 

[Beemer92]

I actually just rebuilt the engine yes. Same block/transmission housing, but new internals. Same flywheel even. If worked good for a month or two after the rebuild as well. Just slowly got worse, to the point that it just grinds all day long. (of course i dont just sit and let it grind...hehe)

Were you able to turn the engine over by hand?? I not, then it could be the pistons are dragging too much on your cylinder walls. A lubricant called Rislone works very well for lubricating pistons and rings, as well as helping to "unfreeze" engines. Somethings not right on the engine. Happy hunting.

 

[Eeeeky]

hehe, well heres the problem with that theory...i have already put 1200 miles on the rebuild... it started perfectly, with NO grinding, when the build was completed. I just had a buddy turn the engine by hand, looking at the starter hole with a mirror, and saw nothing out of the ordinary for damaged teeth. Also checked outt he new starter, its doing its job perfectly

 

[starscreem]

i have had this problem for 2 years and for some reason it only happens when its really cold out. it started on my factory starter then i replaced it thinking it was bad and still have the same problem. i even checked my trany bolts and starter bolts and they are all tight ( i even lock tighter them) im just as lost as most on this i havent had money or the time to pull my trany and get a new flywheel starter and clutch (almost done with my clutch so i am waiting). but it still don't make scenes to me that it only happens in winter all summer i never had a problem. but the winter before it did it to but stopped when it warmed up out. also i do have my clutch pedal start removed so i don't have to push it in to start the car

 

[ernie]

I had this problem before. I replaced the dowel pins and starter. Made sure everything was lined up and it would stil grind. Ocassionally it would spin freely. I just replaced the flywheel, starter plate, and battery. It cranks fine now. In the end I think it was the battery not providing enough current for the starter. check the battery first before you buy new parts.

 

[Oldsid]

i have had this problem for 2 years and for some reason it only happens when its really cold out. it started on my factory starter then i replaced it thinking it was bad and still have the same problem. i even checked my trany bolts and starter bolts and they are all tight ( i even lock tighter them) im just as lost as most on this i havent had money or the time to pull my trany and get a new flywheel starter and clutch (almost done with my clutch so i am waiting). but it still don't make scenes to me that it only happens in winter all summer i never had a problem. but the winter before it did it to but stopped when it warmed up out. also i do have my clutch pedal start removed so i don't have to push it in to start the car

I am having exactly the same the problem right now. It is very cold up here and I have not had the time to check my starter. There is a possibility that dirt makes the pinion gear get partially stuck on the starter shaft and cold makes it get worst. To avoid grinding, I put my car in first gear and it push back and forth a couple of times. This shakes the clutch pinion gear and usually makes it engage. It is a temporary fix that helps but I will try to remove the starter later and clean the slpines on the shaft and the pinion/overunning clucth assembly and see if it is enough to solve the problem.

 

[Eeeeky]

i found the most of my problem tonight. i found that the trans to engine bolts were somewhat loose. After tightening them, i wouldnt say that its totally fixed, but it will start my car now More tinkering to come.

 

[WickedBlk95GSX]

I would diff check the dowl pins and the starter spacer, the starter spacer was the problem with mine. Good luck

 

[Raleigh]

My car is a 96 tsi awd, Tha donor car for the swap was a 95 tsi awd.

I recently swaped from a manual to auto, and I'm now trying to start it. I swapped everything including the ecu/engine wiring harness from the donor car. the car won't crank when you turn the key, and the mpi relay is getting power from the black and white ign. wire and the red always on wire is getting power too. I'm thinking its just some random wire or something small. I can turn the pump on with link but when the key is in the on position it won't cycle. I jumped the wire to the starter selenoid and it cranks so I know the started isn't bad. I swapped the auto brake pedal in and got rid of the manual brake and clutch pedals. I've looked over every plug and still can't seem to find the problem. Is there a fuse or another relay that manuals don't have that autos need? In all the threads I read on doing the swap It seemed like swapping the harness was all yu had to do with the electrical. Also made sure that the shifter linkage is in the correct spot on the Shifter on the tranny.

Please help!!

Thanks, Raleigh

 

[Sicotic]

Can't help you but why would you swap a manual to an auto?

 

[jrohner]

Maybe he's sick of breaking transmissions since the 5 speeds in these cars suck.

 

[DSMified92]

well whatever reason for swapping manual to auto is on u but on the other hand

it sounds like the netraul saefty switch isnt pluged in or adjusted right. there for it wont crank or start. check that first.

 

[Raleigh]

well whatever reason for swapping manual to auto is on u but on the other hand

it sounds like the netraul saefty switch isnt pluged in or adjusted right. there for it wont crank or start. check that first.

Do you mean the one in the tranny on the ignition one because i don't have the one for the igition switch.

Also the mpi relay is getting power.

 

[DSMified92]

without the nuetral safety switch it just will not crank at all because the computer thinks it is in gear it also may not get fuel not sure.

 

[Raleigh]

my mpi relay is good just tested it. Anyone know if the nuetral safety switch would cause the fuel pump to not turn on?

 

[Blurred Talon]

I know on other cars when doing an auto swap, you need to ground the neutral safety switch so the car will start.

 

[Raleigh]

On atdsm.com the wiring diagram for 95-96 auto awd shows it doesn't ground it makes a complete circuit for each gear to the tcu. looked at the tcu and the plug for this switch both looked good. I'm guessing I should unplug the tcu and check resistance for the switch positions?

Thanks, Raleigh

Well I tested the switch each gear worked at the tranny plug. then I tested it at the tcu plug they all worked there too. I checked tcu for codes just got the short pulses which means its ok. I'm not really sure what esle to check. What I don't understand is that the mpi relay is getting power when you turn the key on but the pump doesn't cycle but I can turn the pump on with dsmlink. Maybe the ecu is bad?

Any Ideas???

Thanks, Raleigh

 

[Raleigh]

So I pulled the alarm relay out of the parts car. This fixed the starter issue but the mpi relay still isn't cycling. I pulled pin 91 on the wiring harness since I use a manual ecu. Any ideas why the mpi relay isn't cycling? I can still turn the pump on with link.

Thanks, Raleigh