Car will not start

Tiny
ELTEE
  • MEMBER
  • 2009 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 139,043 MILES
I just got my radiator leak fixed last month and now another problem. I noticed my AC was not working when driving, then the next day I started seen my car overheat. I started driving it and the meter read “engine overheating” “engine power reduced” and it started overheating like crazy. We stopped on the side of the road, turned it off and now my car will not start. Got it towed to a mechanic and he says the heater hose is broken. I looked and it was not attached to the fire station or whatever that part it is suppose to hook up to is called. I now have to get the parts but I want to make sure if this is the real problem will the car start? Does the heater hose cause all of that to happen to the car including the car not starting?
Tuesday, October 23rd, 2018 AT 1:45 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi and thanks for using 2carpros, com.

A broken heater hose will cause the engine coolant to leak from the system. As a result, the engine will overheat. However, replacing the hose is not going to suddenly allow the vehicle to start.

Has your mechanic checked for trouble codes?

Let me know.

Joe
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Tuesday, October 23rd, 2018 AT 6:56 PM
Tiny
ELTEE
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  • 3 POSTS
No he has not because when I told him about the car not starting, he said he was not sure if that was going to fix the problem! What are trouble codes if I may ask?
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Tuesday, October 23rd, 2018 AT 11:17 PM
Tiny
ELTEE
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My issue and worry is that everything total buying the parts plus labor is going to be between $400.00 and $450.00, but if my car is not starting after all of that is fixed then it is just more stress I have to worry.
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Tuesday, October 23rd, 2018 AT 11:22 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Welcome back.

Wow, that much? A heater hose is under twenty dollars. I can assure you that a leaking heater hose is not preventing the car from running. If your vehicle was in my shop, I would first check for trouble codes. By doing this, I would be able to give you a better idea what to expect when the coolant leak was repaired. On newer vehicles like yours, diagnostic trouble codes can be retrieved from the vehicles computer. There are many different codes that all have their own meaning. Once the code is retrieved, it should indicate what is causing the vehicle not to start. For example, a bad crankshaft position sensor or camshaft position sensor.

Trouble codes start with the letter P and have four digits which follow. For example, P0300. That code would indicate a random misfire. A P0420 would indicate an issue with the catalytic converter and so on. Take a look at this quick video. The owner of the site shows how one is used (very simple). It is being done on a Dodge, but it would be done the exact same way on your vehicle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cg1WO0UKIYM

Let me know if you have other questions and I hope this is helpful.

Take care,
Joe
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Wednesday, October 24th, 2018 AT 5:39 PM

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