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

 

[420a dsm kid]

i found the problem. the camshaft position sensor was bad so i replace it and it start it up good. thanks for your help..

 

[96talon420a]

thats a tough one, so it starts sometimes good, sometimes then RPM drops and dies, and some times just turns over or does it start every time and some times dies shortly after

 

[bryanwheat]

So it actually cranks over, but won't start or it starts then dies?

 

[jeremymayer]

u can hear the starter going and some times it starts up but rpm just drop but if i gas it i can keep them up, and after it gas it once or twice its fine! a friend told me it sounds like my started is bad so im ganna put a new 1 in and see if thats the problem. ill keep u guy posted. but i dont know y the rpms would drop after its started...so it could b more than just the starter.

but yea after its started it stays running, and yea it starts than dies almost right after if i dont gas it.

 

[vinnio]

Sorry, I wouldn't listen to your friend. (no offense) but it sounds like the starter is fine. If it turns the engine over and there are no funny noises, it should be gold. Plus it wouldn't cause the problem you're describing. A good way to spend too much money is to throw parts at a car and hope it works!

I think it sounds like a fuel related issue. Like its either getting too much or too little on start up. Hows your gas mileage? Can you smell any gas or anything?

Also, does this happen when the engine is cold or warm?

but yea after its started it stays running, and yea it starts than dies almost right after if i dont gas it.

Elaborate... It sounds like you're contradicting yourself a bit ehh!

 

[jeremymayer]

haha yea my gas does seem like its going a little faster. but i dont smell any gas or anything like that, and the only time it has a hard time starting is after the cars been running. like ill go to drop my kid off and turn the car off then when i come back out to leave is when it has the hard time starting back up.

 

[bryanwheat]

Check the caps in the ecu. Do you hear any clicking behind the radio?

 

[96talon420a]

It could be a fuel issue you could start it on a fresh start and let it die then check the fuel pressure on the fuel rail to see if it is getting good fuel from the start up

 

[Groffster]

Any suggestions as to what else it could be?

 

[jeremymayer]

well it started up just fine today!
thanks guys im going to try those ideas over the weekin ill get back with yall on it.

 

[1cleanreddsm]

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

The link above is quite useful... I'm having similar issues.. due the weather temperature. I'm in Alaska.. xD

Check spark,fuel, and compression.. if you have all that then move to sensors..
TPS(throttle body position sensor) CAS(Cam angle sensor) ECTs (engine coolant temperature sensor) these sensors and related wiring can cause a no start.

 

[jeremymayer]

thanks for the link 1cleanreddsm

 

[whooooop]

i charged the battery over night like suggested still does same thing.. heres a video of it attempting to start as well as some sort of clicking in the intake manifold.. if anyone knows what the ticking is please lemme know ive never heard a car do this. it only happens when key is in on position but not start or out of ignition.

Dsm 2 - YouTube

 

[bryanwheat]

Have you checked for spark yet? Pull the cam angle sensor and leave it plugged in. (note the way it was installed) Now turn the ignition to the on position and turn the shaft on the sensor clockwise. You should hear the pump kick on and the injectors click. From there pull the plug wires one by one and test them for spark while turning the cam angle sensor shaft again. This will tell you a ton about what is going on.

 

[pos4g63]

Could be injectors firing sponateously. Pull the ecu out and check it.

 

[Abe'sGST]

Have you checked for spark yet? Pull the cam angle sensor and leave it plugged in. (note the way it was installed) Now turn the ignition to the on position and turn the shaft on the sensor clockwise. You should hear the pump kick on and the injectors click. From there pull the plug wires one by one and test them for spark while turning the cam angle sensor shaft again. This will tell you a ton about what is going on.

+2, this will lead you the right way.

 

[laserspeeddemon]

Could also be the CAS itself. My suggestion is to find another DSMer in the area with a working 90 turbo. Test the ECU, CAS, fuel injectors, fuel injector resistor box, coil pack, coil pack transistor. What you are looking for is that the component that causes your car to work, while causing the other car to replicate the noise that you are experiencing.

It's very likely one of these that is the problem, if not it is likely the engine wiring harness. If that is the case think long and hard about whether you want to put the effort to replace the wiring harness vs. just buying another 1g DSM.

The bolded items are my best guess on which is the failure.

 

[dsm'r sk1mp]

Update? What did it end up being

 

[007jimmy]

I was thinking the same thing...

 

[Oneslowgs-t]

Ok so heres the story, I posted a thread about a cel code and how it turned out to be a battery.
I was picking up my gf from work and I bearly made it there. I replaced the batter with one from wal-mart (the only place open at 10 to get a battery). They didnt have the one for an eclipse but I had to get a battery since my car was stuck at my gf job. I perchased a 580 cold cranking amp battery just until tomorrow. I put the battery in and the car started fine and the auto lock light and srs light went off so it solved all my problem so I thought.
I went to the movies and when we went to leave the car would start just click.
the click definatly sounds like its comming from inside the dash.

The battery has power, windows go up and down with the headlights on so its not that.
I recently replaced the starter so thats also good.
Alternator is good.
I am stumped...
And the car will pop start and run fine besides my idel problem
Idel stays high, sometimes idel serges, when I turn the wheel the idel go up and stays aqq.
Not sure why eather.

 

[90gsxftw]

You check any of your fuses maybe one of your fuses went out under the hood. Just a wild guess.

 

[Bud92gsx]

Have you also checked battery voltage? A dead battery happens alot when the car sits and Is not started alot, or at all.

 

[ktgurl87]

Bud, he just bought the battery. I'd say look at fuses and relays. Start with the goofy cheap crap first.

 

[TUR3O]

i would say to look around the engine bay and see if you accidently knocked lose an important wire or connection.

 

[Bud92gsx]

Yeah KT I like to jump in and ask stuff that has already been established, because my dumbass doesn't read all the stuff sometimes.