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

 

[BogusSVO]

Quick question if the rockers came off could it bend my new valves. Also the spring are compres and the cams move the rockers are real lose so do i crank the motor.

Yes if the rockers just fall off the valves are bent, good chance of cracked guides.

With a ratchet, rotate the engine over by the harmonic balancer bolt, as you do this watch your cam gears for movement.

Oil on a timing belt can cause the teeth to strip off , if the belt has been saked for an extend period of time.

 

[caseclipsegst]

Jayson427.... just doubled checked the ground goes from the firewall to the intake manifold.. not the coil

 

[Gasolinebaptism]

I'm sorry guys, everyone is trying there best to help this guy, but in the future someone is going to look at the thread and gain zero knowledge from it. Most of the posts are nearly illegible.
This isn't the Honda forum, let's try a bit harder.

And you must have bent valves for your rocker arms to be falling off, simply because they won't seat in the head, meaning the spring can't push the end of the valve onto the rocker to keep it all pushing against the cam.

 

[spyderdrifter]

Jayson427.... just doubled checked the ground goes from the firewall to the intake manifold.. not the coil

Just left you a PM, I'm almost willing to bet you're right. I know its hooked up, but I bet the.plastic is between.

Ground goes to the coil not intake.

Caseclipsegst is right though, I've never seen that ground hooked up to the coils, always the manifold.

 

[spyderdrifter]

caseclipsegst, manifold ground cable not the issue. The clip holding the wire harness there is metal too. Thanks though.


Would someone please post an actual picture of what the starter wires are supposed to look like all hooked up? When I look at my starter from the battery area, the positive lead is on the left terminal with the little black clip positioned in the middle of the 2 terminals. Got the negative lead bolted to the bell housing.

Here's how it looks right now...

 

[NHerron]

I'll try to get a real pic today but not sure with everything in the way... for now this is best I could do

 

[TWOpointFORliter]

Did you plug the starter harness back into the engine harness? I have forgotten to do that before and it won't click or anything.

 

[NHerron]

did you plug the starter harness back into the engine harness? I have forgotten to do that before and it won't click or anything.

..+1

 

[liquidsilver]

Thanks obsidian.

Did you plug the starter harness back into the engine harness? I have forgotten to do that before and it won't click or anything.

Most times it's the simplest things! That could be it! But I really thought that was checked earlier...

 

[spyderdrifter]

Did you plug the starter harness back into the engine harness? I have forgotten to do that before and it won't click or anything.

Every connector is connected.

 

[NHerron]

Probe the *1 wire in two holder* and see if it gets +12 with key in start position. If no +12V then you know it's further up in the control circuit and go up from there

 

[spyderdrifter]

I don't have any testers... I know I should, and I want one, but don't have one yet.

 

[liquidsilver]

Running out of options then. If it's not trying to start then it's not receiving power. If it's not receiving power it's not connected or it's no good. Battery, starter, cables. Not that I know how to diagnose but it has to be one of those right?

Have you checked the motor fuse under the hood? I don't think that would affect it. Might as well go down the list at that point. Something will turn up.

I don't have any testers... I know I should, and I want one, but don't have one yet.

Grab one on your next trip out they are only a few bucks and make you feel a little more like you know what you are doing

EDIT: Just did a search and found a great thread (ignore title). Read through it maybe it will *spark an idea: http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/newbie-forum/365612-how-change-starter.html

 

[spyderdrifter]

Here's how it looks from under the car. The nut is off because I finally got it off. but that's the terminal I've had it connected to.

 

[jayson427]

Jayson427.... just doubled checked the ground goes from the firewall to the intake manifold.. not the coil

Really doesn't matter if its grounded right? I have had mine on the coil for a while now with no issue really. Car starts up good.

 

[spyderdrifter]

Running out of options then. If it's not trying to start then it's not receiving power. If it's not receiving power it's not connected or it's no good. Battery, starter, cables. Not that I know how to diagnose but it has to be one of those right?

Have you checked the motor fuse under the hood? I don't think that would affect it. Might as well go down the list at that point. Something will turn up.



Grab one on your next trip out they are only a few bucks and make you feel a little more like you know what you are doing

EDIT: Just did a search and found a great thread (ignore title). Read through it maybe it will *spark an idea: http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/newbie-forum/365612-how-change-starter.html

So I just checked it, and there it was just sitting there out of it's recepticle like it's on freaking vacation or something.... I don't remember taking it out, but I must have... now I gotta throw everything back on before trying to start it yet again...

 

[NHerron]

Lol freakin vacation huh?

Glad you found it man, sounds like its been a few turn of events since the water pump but youre just about there!

 

[spyderdrifter]

Lol freakin vacation huh?

Glad you found it man, sounds like its been a few turn of events since the water pump but youre just about there!

Yeah, smartass humor makes me feel better. That had to have been it though, she started to crank, but not start. Figured that was due to no fuel. Shut her off, cranked again with gas pedal, she fired up.... Got some bad belt squeels and a funky exhaust smell, which may be because I have no ventalation in the garage til I open the door , or because it hasn't fired up in so long. But she runs, and that's the goal, now to get her running right. Thanks for all the help guys. Anything new will get it's own thread if I can't find answers with searches.

 

[spyderdrifter]

In addition, had smoke coming from the exhaust, looked white despite replacing head gasket. That must have bean the crappy smell I mentioned in the last post. Got the squeal to stop on its own, bit think I'll just go buy a belt tension tester tool just to be safe... I've ALWAYS had bad luck with the accessory belts. Also notice smoke coming up from all sides of the engine. Looked underneath and saw nothing for smoke or leaks even. Could that just be an exhaust leak? I really don't think I got the down pipe back on tight enough anyway. Will check shortly. Gonna go get some new spark plugs and wires, these ones are depressing. Need new air filter too.

 

[NHerron]

A can of sea foam will find your exhaust leaks quick just suck some up via brake booster line, shut off engine for a few, start it back up and observe

If you got coolant or oil anywhere it will definitively burn off for a while just idling though

 

[spyderdrifter]

A can of sea foam will find your exhaust leaks quick just suck some up via brake booster line, shut off engine for a few, start it back up and observe

If you got coolant or oil anywhere it will definitively burn off for a while just idling though

Brake booster line being the 1/2 inch or so line between throttle body and mount for throttle cable on back of manifold?

 

[NHerron]

Yeah that one or use the line running to the fuel pressure solenoid for easier access. Just let the engine idle and slowly vacuum out 1/4 can of sea foam. Try not to stall it. When you get enough sucked up shut off the engine so it soaks in for a few. Start it up and beware, it will smoke like crazy for a few minutes so try get it ventilated

Reviews should be on tuners for it so look around if youre hesitant to use it

 

[spyderdrifter]

Yeah that one or use the line running to the fuel pressure solenoid for easier access. Just let the engine idle and slowly vacuum out 1/4 can of sea foam. Try not to stall it. When you get enough sucked up shut off the engine so it soaks in for a few. Start it up and beware, it will smoke like crazy for a few minutes so try get it ventilated

Reviews should be on tuners for it so look around if youre hesitant to use it

Ok, one other thing with it, how do I hook it up? Is there a thread on here explaining it? I've never used the stuff, but something tells me after I do, I'll probably never go without it.

Also since the post I just read says do an oil change afterward, what about coolant? Kinda sucks that I just filled all this, but I'll do it anyway. Should I also wait until after the seafoam to change my new BCK plugs and wires?

Decided I'm gonna do this after it gets dark so the smoke is seen less. I live in an apartment complex where I'm not even allowed to work on my car, to which I ignored as always.

 

[NHerron]

So you found this thread?
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/newbie-forum/222686-seafoam-works-merged.html

Here is what it looks like most the time
http://www.audiworld.com/tech/pics/eng89_seafoam.jpg

If you want to do the engine oil part, add it only 10 miles or so BEFORE the oil change. Don't run it with new oil. I've never used it in the cooling system, don't see a reason to. If you wanted to flush cooling, I would just use that prestone stuff specifically made for flushing cooling system

 

[spyderdrifter]

So then since I just put new oil in, I should wait on the seafoam right? Didn't want to add to coolant, just wanted to know if it'd do anything to the coolant during the cleaning.


Yeah, that's the thread I was reading. The title seemed like it was a good one to read.