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Car Engine Will Not Start Questions
Question: 1997 Ford Taurus mileage: 55,000. I have an intermittent
problem where the car will not start (I am getting no spark on any of the plugs)
the car cranks fine and I have >10 volts power to the ignition coil while cranking.
The coil is controlled by the power train control module that fires the coil by
turning each of (3) grounds to the coil on and off. I checked with a multi-meter
and read a frequency to the coil during a no start occurrence. Ford replaced
the PAT module and I replaced the ignition coil and battery. The coil ground
is ok and the battery voltage is good. The problem is that the car starts
working in about 1 hour so I have had bad luck getting it to fail while at a service
shop. I towed it once to ford while it was not starting and their computer
could not find the problem. The car works perfectly once it starts.
Help! Any suggestions?
Answer: Two things come to mind that may be causing your problem.
First is a faulty mass air-flow sensor and second a faulty cam or crank angle sensor.
Question: 1993 Olds Bravada 4.3l v6 mileage: 93,000. About 20% of
the time, the car will not start properly. It may start but very rough for
3-5 seconds, or not start at all until cranked over for about 10-15 seconds, when
it finally catches. Once running it is fine. I had it to the dealers,
where they did a complete tune up, plugs, wire, distributor cap, rotor, fuel filter,
and several sensors, which did not help at all. Then they replaced the fuel
pump, and dampener, which did not help. It makes no difference whether the
car is parked uphill, downhill, or level, or how much gas in tank? It
makes no difference whether the car is warm or cold. Sometimes it starts fine,
and other times it doesn't. Any helpful suggestions. The dealer’s methods
of replacing parts is getting expensive, with no results. Thanks
Answer: Check for leaky fuel injectors. Check fuel pump pressure,
if possible, when it will not start. Also, check for spark when it will not
start. If the computer has not been scanned, do so now.
Question: 1986 Chevy Astro AWD 6 cylinder mileage: 77,000. Recently
our '96 Astro has stopped running, at times. We have had it into Firestone
twice, the local Chevy dealer (for four days) and a local repair shop twice.
Both Firestone and the repair shop recognize a problem, and had recommended that
we take it to the dealer. The dealer says the car is O.K. and the only
thing wrong was a dead battery. The battery wasn't dead prior to taking it
in; I think the dealer ran it down. The Astro will not start on some occasions
after sitting over night, but then starts fine the next day. When it doesn't
start, it cranks over fine, and you can hear the fuel pump running (buzz).
When driving it you can feel the engine missing, some times so bad the car stalls,
and at other times just a little. When it misses or doesn't start the Service
Engines Soon light comes on. 1st - Firestone replaced the fuel filter.
They put it on their machine and said it had a "Cold Starting" issue and to take
it to the dealer. 2nd - Dealer said they put it on the machine and it was
OK. They replaced the battery. 3rd - Local shop found high voltage
(25 to 35) going to the plugs so they replaced the spark plugs, spark plug wires
and PCV valve. The second time they said they suspected the fuel injector
poppets sticking and put fuel injector cleaner in the gasoline. They checked
the fuel pressure and said it was OK. Right now, the car sits in the driveway,
and has to have it towed (for the fourth time this month) to someone to repair.
Answer: Try replacing the fuel pump and all six fuel injectors.
It has been our experience that your problem is not unique.
Question: 1987 Nissan Hard body 4x4 3.0 mileage: 244,000. I am a
mechanic and this has 4 others baffled. I can go out in the morning and start
the truck and it runs great. When I go into gear and drive it dies.
I loses spark and dumps fuel at the same time. Now you have to wait about
2 hrs to start it again. It has a new distributor, coil, and cap/rotor.
I did the tap test on the computer. If you crank it for a while it will finally
spark. So can you help...thanks.
Answer: Scan the computer for trouble codes. Check for faulty sensors.
With an Ohmmeter, check the ground connections to the computer. You may also
have a bad computer.
Question: 1990 Ford Taurus 3.0L mileage: 83,000. My car will not
start, the engines did not crank at all. My suspicion is the ignition coil,
but the tests that I follow using the Haynes guide seems to indicate that the coil
is still within specifications. I also suspect maybe the ignition module is
bad, but the book told me only authorized repair could fix the ignition module.
If you have any suggestion, I will be very grateful. Thank you.
Answer: Here are some things to have checked: 1. Check to
see if the timing belt/chain has failed, 2. Check for ignition spark at spark plugs,
3. Check for fuel pressure, 4. Scan P.C.M. (computer) for fault or error codes.
The information should pinpoint the malfunctioning components.
Question: 1990 Honda 2.2 mileage: 140,000. No start condition. No
spark. Took it to school and replaced, coil, igniter (control module), plugs,
wires, new Honda cap and rotor. Computer was giving code 15. Played
around with a few wires (did not do much), and code went away and I tried to start
and it worked fine! Drove around for a day, then it died. I had it starting,
and then it would die. Now it will not start at all (still now spark) now
I guess either my computer is bad or I need a new distributor (with new pickup coil
and sensors inside the distributor available only with new distributor) I am still
getting a code 15 (which I guess means ignition output signal). Now I replaced
fuel filter and it was tough and I bent a fuel line and I think I have some fuel
getting clogged new the Filter because it was a cheap aftermarket and it did not
fit totally right, but I have yet to install my new Honda filter. Can a fuel
problem trigger a no spark? I have no spark available from the spring thing
on the ignition coil either. What do you think, ECU, distributor, or fuel
problem triggering no spark? Thanks, as this problem is really getting to
me!
Answer: The no start problem that you referred to in your
question will probably be fixed if you replace the distributor that has the new
pick-up coil and sensor.
Question: 1990 Pontiac Bonneville 3,8 _mileage: 113,000. Starting
problem when ambient temperature below 0 degrees C. Error code 43 (ESC). This
module replaced. OK for couple of days. Then again, code 43 (ESC).
What should be done next?
Answer: Code 43 is knock sensor – replacing it should fix
your problem.
Question: 1995 Nissan Sentra 4 cyl mileage: 105,000. I hadn't had
any recent problem with my car starting. I had a new started put on it last summer.
A few days ago, I went out to start it and it didn't cooperate. The battery
is charged and it sounds like it is trying to turn over. The night before
the temperature outside dropped below 0, and I only had 1/4 of a tank of gas.
I think my gas line is frozen. So how do I unfreeze it? I tried "Heet"
in the gas tank, but it didn't help. Any ideas?
Answer: If your gasoline line is frozen, using a small hand-held
hair dryer to warm the gas line should fix your problem.
Question: 1989 Isuzu trooper 2.8 mileage: 128,000. No start: replaced
injectors, relays, 0� sensor, map sensor, fuel pressure checked and is ok, fuel
filter changed. It cranks and cranks and will not start. It will start
with starting fluid and then runs like new. Help!
Answer: Check for an electrical pulse at injectors while cranking.
A weak crank-angle sensor could also be the cause your problem.
Question: 1989 Pontiac Grand Am mileage: 88,000. The car does
turn over, but does not fire. Could this be the modular or maybe something
else? Please let me know as soon as possible.
Answer: Here are some things to have checked: 1. Check to
see if the timing belt/chain has failed, 2. Check for ignition spark
at spark plugs, 3. Check for fuel pressure.
Question: 1989 Probe 4 cyl non-turbo mileage: 180,000.
Engine rotates but doesn't start; I've got spark at all plugs and the plugs have
been replaced. I have gas flow past the filter and the timing belt is in good shape
with no missing teeth. The air filter is okay. I'm not sure what the
codes are for the Probe or how to clean the injectors. I also replaced the
distributor cap and rotor just for fun.
Answer: Three things are needed for an engine to run: compression,
proper amount of fuel and spark at the right time. Try starting with a compression
check and fuel pressure check.
Question: 1996 Nissan 200sx GA16DE mileage: 30,000. My wife's car
decided not to start this AM. We've never had any mechanical problems before.
The engine is turning over ok, and it seems like it wants to catch, but nothing.
I've let the car sit just in case the engine was flooded. Went back and tried
about 2 hours later, but the same. Turns over, and wants to catch, but nothing.
I don't want to keep trying in case the battery dies. Any suggestions?
Answer: First check for fuel pressure. The pump may
have failed. If okay, check for spark at the spark plugs. Next, scan
PCM (computer) for fault or error codes.
Question: 1986 Isuzu pup 2.3L mileage: 199,000. After sitting in
the driveway overnight my car will start just fine. It will then run for about 20
minutes then it will stop dead. It will not start for about 2 hours, but after
that, it will start fine. It seems to stop as soon as the engine gets up to
normal temperature. So, I suspect some type of heat sensor. Please help!
Answer: When the engine will not start, check for spark at
the spark plugs. The ignition module or pick-up coil may be faulty.
Question: 1995 Ford Taurus 3.5 6 cyl mileage: 110,000. My
car will not start, the engine cranks but will not turn over. First, this
was an intermittent problem. With the key in the ignition, I noticed that
if I pressed the door lock switch, the doors did not lock/unlock and it sounded
as though the window motor was running. After 10-15 minutes, the door lock
switch would respond properly and the car would start normally. Now, as soon
as the door is open the sound begins even without the key in the ignition.
Answer: You have a very strange problem. Check wiring
for damage or loose connections. Also, check the main power wires. Possibly,
you have a bad ignition switch. Just very hard to tell from here.
Question: 1998 Dodge Caravan 3.8 liter mileage: 24,000. Had trouble
getting van started today. Had it jumped and it drove fine, but the speedometer
or tachometer was not working. When I turned the engine off it would not restart.
Battery is in good shape. Is this my alternator, voltage regulator or something
more costly?
Answer: Have battery load tested. Check alternator output
and check for voltage drain with the key off.
Question: 1966 Ford Mustang 200 mileage: 77,000. My car will start
right back up after I shut it off, but when it sets overnight, I have to dump gas
in the carburetor to get it started, is it my carburetor sticking or the fuel pump?
I just bought it and it runs great otherwise what do you think the problem might
be.
Answer: Check the choke to see that it is operating properly.
Also, check fuel pump after the car sets overnight. If the valves in the fuel
pump are leaking, it may be causing your hard starting problem.
Question: 1996 Pontiac Sunfire mileage: 36,000. When I put
the key in the ignition it will not turn. The key is not broken and will go
in and out freely. A friend said that my car may have an anti-theft device
that locks the ignition if someone tries to put the wrong key in it (my mother borrowed
the car), is that a possibility? If it is, how do I get it unlocked?
If it isn't, what else could be the problem?
Answer: Try putting the key in the ignition and turn the key
while turning or rocking the steering wheel left and right. The steering wheel
lock sometimes binds the ignition switch.
MORE: Engine wont start questions
Repair Topics /
Car Wont Start-1
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/ Car Wont Start-7
/ Car Wont Start-8
/ Car Wont Start-9
/ Car Wont Start-10
/ Car Wont Start-11
/ Car Wont Start-12
/ Car Wont Start-13
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