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

 

[97GsXfreak]

The last time I started up my car was over the summer, about 6-7 months ago. I went away to school and the car sat in my driveway. Yesterday I tried to start the car (got a new battery) and it cranks over but doesn't try to fire up. If I don't try to start up the car for a min or two the car will give a brief blip of trying to fire up but just go back to not trying to fire at all. I got some "drygas" stuff and put in in the tank and I am going to get a couple gallons of fresh gas but I don't think that is the reason for not even trying to start up. My car always had a little trouble starting up after sitting for a couple weeks with the large cams and just base tune on the injectors, but this time it isn't even getting close to firing. Any ideas on where to start?

 

[dragonsl8r]

sounds like you have no fuel or no spark in the combustion chamber. clogged fuel line ? low or no fuel pressure ? fouled spark plugs? these are the things i would start checking.

 

[Indian]

Last time you started your car it was summer...now its cold, and wont start. Have you checked your coolant temp sensor?

 

[94TalonTSI1]

Agreed with the above, check your coolant temp sensor. I'd also pull your plugs and see if they are infact firing and or are wet. If they are wet, hit them with a lighter to dry them out, and try again.

 

[ramsack]

i would get that old gas completely out of there and put some new stuff in. then make sure you have fuel pressure, and probably replace the fuel filter.

 

[juanpac0]

Did you reload your tune assuming you're using DSMLink?

 

[Raleigh]

Well I was messing with the mpi relay on how I would bypass it when I noticed my wideband was on and the key isn't even in the car. The ecu is seeing power when the key is in the off and acc positions. When you turn the key in the on position and crank the car over the ecu isn't getting power which would make sense why the mpi relay isn't kicking on.

I'm stumped on what would cause this probably something dumb on my part. Could a relay or a plug be backwards? When I connect and disconnect the battery I can hear a relay click but can't pinpoint where.

Please help.

Thanks, Raleigh

 

[Metalpunk68]

try checking for spark,coils and your crank and cam sensors then let us know

 

[97GsXfreak]

Checked the spark and it is fine and when I pulled the plugs the ends of them were wet with gas so I guess it is getting fuel. I can smell gas when I keep trying to turn it over. It is weird, if I try to start it and then take the key out and try again it sounds like its trying to fire up...but if i keep just trying to start the car with the key in it doesn't try to start at all.

Also, my fuel pressure regulator goes up to about 35psi when I am cranking.

 

[ramsack]

have you tried getting the old gas out as much possible and potting new gas in? if you have fuel and spark then there's nothing else that's going to just die from sitting a few months other than gas.

 

[97GsXfreak]

I didn't take the old gas out but I had about 1/8 a tank in it when the car started to sit and just today i put 3 gallons of fresh gas in it with a quarter of bottle of dry gas and still wont fire up.

Any reason why I am getting gas on my spark plugs even though they spark outside the cylinder?

 

[ramsack]

because 3 gallons to a 1/8 tank reading is about the same and you barely diluted the gas. you can't put an additive in to take care of old gas, just wet gas.

 

[97GsXfreak]

The car RUNS! I sprayed two sprays of starting fluid in the throttle body and the car started right up. Just got back from the gas station and got a tank full of fresh gas.

My question is though why did I need starter fluid to fire up the car? Is this an issue I should look in to?

 

[ramsack]

the ecu knows when the starter is engaging and when the car is cold and injects more fuel, in turn injecting more bad fuel. getting it started with starter fluid is ok, and once started probably ran good enough with the bad gas. does it run and start fine with a lot of good gas? good luck with your car!

 

[97GsXfreak]

I drove the car around and then let it sit over night. I tried to start the car today and I needed starter fluid again. I put the starting fluid in and the car fired up and died...I just kept turning it over and it started up. After it initially gets started the car starts fine for while but then the next day it won't start up. Any ideas?

 

[fastbike02]

i would suggest changing plugs and check your tune, sounds like its dumping to much gas when cold to get it running

 

[Tanro]

Is it tuned in anyway? If not my expierance with most Fuel Injected cars controlled by a computer was to just reset the computer. In most cases this means just disconnecting the battery for a half hour or so. Some cars have a backup battery (watch batter) on the ECU/PCM that hold the data in memory even without the car battery hooked up.

Not sure about DSMs I am a total DSM noob. Try resetting the ECU and burning out that old gas. Or just go fill it up most of the way with 91/93 Octane and put some turbo blue or STP Octane Booster in it to boost the octane of your gas mixed with the old gas to 91 or better.

If it still isnt working you are getting too much fuel creating a flooded condition and I dont have advice for fixing flooded condition on a DSM.

 

[v8s_are_slow]

Changed starter today and wouldn't start. Checked for power to the signal wire and nothing, so changed the relay and it still won't start. It won't turn over but will run if you push start it. Any ideas cause I'm stumped at the moment and not really sure what else to check. Just need a good direction to look to and I'm not the greatest when it comes to diagnosing electrical issues. Any help appreciated. Thanks.

 

[#40Fan]

Auto or standard?

 

[93ETGOCART]

grounds man check them, and then recheck them

 

[v8s_are_slow]

Standard.

 

[rlacasse1]

Are the battery terminals all crapped up to where they aren't connected very well. Check them out and see if they need to be cleaned up. If they are corroded the car will have power til you try to start it and then it will die out because of a lousy connection.

 

[v8s_are_slow]

The previous owner before me was an idiot and changed it over to a side post battery. Trying to wait till the 1st of the month to get the JMF battery kit. But anyway, I checked the battery voltage and it was over 12 volts. Had someone try and turn the key for me and the bolt voltage didn't flinch at all. Stayed exactly the same.

 

[black_gst]

theres a little plug that connects from the engine harness to the starter harness make sure that is pluged in i forget that plugs everytime i unplug it and wonder why it wont start .... look for it by tracing the wires from the starter

 

[v8s_are_slow]

I'll check that as soon as my car cools off some. But a couple of nights ago, I went to move my car and it wouldn't do anything. That's when I replaced the starter because I assumed that was it since it was from a car that had been sitting out in the open and rain was able to get to the starter and all. I hadn't disconnected anything until then. But looking at all options.