No crank no start

Tiny
HAMO
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 HOLDEN CRUZE
  • 3.6L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 270,000 MILES
Car is 2008 Holden Epica Cdx Can't/wont start, everything works, up until after the starter motor activates. Starter motor has been tested and is good, but the car wont crank, although you hear the starter motor working(or throwing out).
Wednesday, October 23rd, 2019 AT 3:43 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,177 POSTS
Welcome to 2CarPros. So you turn the key and the starter engages and the engine turns over but doesn't start? Or you turn the key and the starter locks in but the engine doesn't turn over and you can hear the starter kick back out?
If you turn on the headlights and try to start it, what do the lights do? Go very dim? Nothing?
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Wednesday, October 23rd, 2019 AT 11:25 PM
Tiny
HAMO
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Hi Steve, thanks for your response.
Engine does not turn over or attempt.
You turn the key and hear the starter engage or throw out, but nothing more, the cars garaged away from where I am now. From memory the lights draw power upon turning the key but I'm not with the car atm so I can't be certain.
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Thursday, October 24th, 2019 AT 1:46 AM
Tiny
HAMO
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Also is a 2.5l engine but I had forgetten, not that changes much here. Thank you
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Thursday, October 24th, 2019 AT 1:47 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,177 POSTS
Well that isn't good. The first thing would be to get a wrench onto the crankshaft and see if you can turn it over by hand. I'm going to guess it won't move. The only thing then would be to determine why, a failed head gasket could allow coolant to fill a cylinder and hydrolock the engine. Or it could be a broken timing chain or belt. If the engine will turn a complete revolution by hand with no resisting points then you might want to see if the battery connections are clean and the battery is fully charged. Low amperage to the starter could also cause this condition but I would verify it will turn over first. It is possible to do serious internal damage if it is locked up and the starter keeps trying to move it.
What was the car doing prior to this? Driving and it just stopped or setting a while and then wouldn't start?
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Thursday, October 24th, 2019 AT 5:47 AM
Tiny
HAMO
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Car was sitting quite a while, two years minimum I should have mentioned that, sorry. Do you think it could be seized, and turning the crankshaft as mentioned, might crack it free? Also could it be that the wrong starter motor is fitted for whatever reason? Bad earths?
Battery fully charged, and with overkill CCA. Connections were all cleaned prior to troubleshooting the problem

Thanks for your reply.
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Thursday, October 24th, 2019 AT 3:47 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,177 POSTS
If it was setting that long it could very well be seized. I'd try to move it with a wrench and see if it will move. It could be minor rust build up. Probably wouldn't hurt to shoot some oil or transmission fluid into the cylinders and then try to turn it. Was it running okay prior to it setting? I would also look at the intake system close, I've seen rodents build homes in engines with the nest in the intake with their urine going past a valve. In that event I wouldn't even try as the cylinder is likely ruined by the rust.
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Thursday, October 24th, 2019 AT 4:26 PM
Tiny
HAMO
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Hi Steve.

Sorry for the late reply I found the issue, something has let go internally, based on the fact a hole has been blown through the engine casting near the pulleys. I will pursue no further as this was just an investment vehicle that I have no time to fix to this extent. :)

Thank you for your time.
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Wednesday, January 1st, 2020 AT 8:43 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,177 POSTS
Sorry to hear that, That would definitely cause a no start problem though! Perhaps it will become a future project vehicle. Thank you for using 2CarPros. If you decide to tackle it in the future we will be here. Hope you have a great new year.
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Thursday, January 2nd, 2020 AT 5:12 AM

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