"No Start" Problems

802 messages,  Last post on Jun 11, 2012 at 7:59 PM

You are in the Maintenance & Repair Forum.

What is this discussion about? Electrical, Engine, Fuel System

#753 of 802 Re: 98 300m no start [pete70] by kiawah

Feb 07, 2009 (7:15 am)

Replying to: pete70 (Feb 07, 2009 6:59 am)
Do a quick compression check on each of the cylinders, just to make sure you don't have a mechanical problem with valve train or head gasket. Will give you an oppty to look at the plugs as well, to see whether you have fuel getting to the cylinders.

#754 of 802 Re: 98 300m no start [kiawah] by pete70

Feb 07, 2009 (12:12 pm)

Replying to: kiawah (Feb 07, 2009 7:15 am)
already did that and even replaced plugs did fuel pressure test too could this be somthing in the wiring ..

#755 of 802 I love my car... I hate my car... I love my car...exc. by naddynad86

Feb 24, 2009 (11:21 am)

Hello Everybody! I'm in complete agony over my 2003 Pontiac Sunfire. It has 85,000 miles on it. Let's just start from the beginning, shall we? I bought this car in June 2005, I, being 18 and naive bought a Pontiac that used to be a rental car. It was fine through out the summer until winter came and it wouldn't start for me, I jump started it, and it ran fine for a while, after a week or so, same thing. I have changed my battery 4 times in 4 1/2 years of having this Pontiac. I have taken it to so many different dealerships/auto repairs places and they all said different yet similiar things. Some of them said that they battery gets cold and I have to jump it to re-start it. Others have said it's a fuse or electrical problem that is draining the battery. Some have said it's the alternator, Some have said it's the starter.
 
This past winter, has been the worst winter of them all...
 
I have had to charge/jump start my car every single morning and night for the past 3 months!!! I don't have the money right now to fix whatever the heck is wrong with it. I just want to know what it is, so i can start planning to get it fixed. Either that... or I'm contemplating selling the piece of junk for $2000 even though I paid $10,000 for it.
 
Please, Please help me!!!

#756 of 802 Re: I love my car... I hate my car... I love my car...exc. [naddynad86] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Feb 24, 2009 (11:30 am)

Replying to: naddynad86 (Feb 24, 2009 11:21 am)
Well great....NOW let's take the car to someone who doesn't GUESS for a living, but actually repairs cars.
 
Okay, sarcasm aside, excuse me, but I cant' see why a competent mechanic could not easily do the following:
 
1. load test your battery
 
2. bench test the alternator for output/shorts/belt tension/etc
 
3. test the car for a battery drain using a voltmeter.
 
4. Test starter amperage draw with a heavy duty ammeter/tester.
 
This is Mechanics 101. I think your problem is not insisting on DATA to support the opinions of people who are advising you.

#757 of 802 Re: I love my car... I hate my car... I love my car...exc. [Mr_Shiftright] by naddynad86

Feb 24, 2009 (11:38 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Feb 24, 2009 11:30 am)
Aren't these 4 steps what Mechanics are supposed to do when you bring your car in and tell them a problem though? I don't have one clue about fixing a car, or anything really about a car... maybe the Mechanics think they can just rip me off or something. I am going to Checker to see if they can put something on my battery to check to see if it's the alternator or not. It's hard not having a car!!!!!!!!

#758 of 802 Re: I love my car... I hate my car... I love my car...exc. [naddynad86] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Feb 24, 2009 (12:58 pm)

Replying to: naddynad86 (Feb 24, 2009 11:38 am)
Don't you have a good, long-time family garage in your area? Checker might not have the best mechanics.

#759 of 802 I own a 96 Hyundai Elantra by normansands

Apr 16, 2009 (2:55 pm)

I replaced the Ignition pack, fuel pump, fuel filter, checked all fuses,relays and fuseable links.
 
Car ran fine turned off and now it just spins the engine no spark or gas

#760 of 802 95 Ford Contour Won't Start by languishes

Jun 13, 2009 (8:59 am)

Hello, I'll start off by saying I know nothing about cars, so situations like this mystify me. I'm a college student and I took my 95 Ford Contour to school with me for summer classes, and while it made the 4 hour drive here fine, and hasn't had any problems since I got here 3 weeks ago, this morning I went out to go somewhere and I could not get the car to start.
 
The lights and the radio both come on fine, but when I turn the key to start the engine, I hear nothing but a single click and no other sound. Nothing else happens. I'm at a loss to figure out what to do and how I can repair this. I replaced the battery 6 months ago when it died then, so I'm fairly certain the battery itself isn't the issue. Could it have something to do with the starter? I have no idea. Also, I know there is plenty of gas in the car as well.
 
If anyone could help me find the solution to this problem I would be really grateful, I'm kinda worried because I rely on my car for a lot of things up here, particularly getting home when I need to because my parents are rarely able to come get me. If it comes to getting it repaired by professional mechanics, then I think I'm done for, because I don't have the money to pay for the $100+ that I assume I'd get charged, or the tow to get it to the mechanic in the first place. Any help would be much appreciated!

#761 of 802 93 Mazda 626 2.0 wont start by jhnbsr

Dec 22, 2009 (2:19 pm)

My 93 Mazda 626 won't start. I moved my car to the garage and now it won't start. The day before I moved it to the garage it was running good. The engine turns over but it won't start. Does anyone have an idea of what could be happening? Thanks

#762 of 802 Re: 95 Ford Contour Won't Start [languishes] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Dec 22, 2009 (2:47 pm)

Replying to: languishes (Jun 13, 2009 8:59 am)
I'm thinkin' it's still the battery or the battery cables or the alternator. The lights and radio, at least at first, don't require much current, but the starter motor draws a LOT. The one "click" suggests that it isn't an alarm or ignition switch issue, so yeah, clean those battery cables and have the charging system checked. IF the car jump starts after cleaning the cables, you know it's a battery issue or charging issue.
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