Push starting in reverse
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 946
Likes: 266
From: McMinnville Oregon
Push starting in reverse
Trying to get one of my old cars (72 Porsche) out from under my 4 post lift. The Porsche didn't turn over on a start. Found the Odyssey battery was 9 years old. Replace it and still starter won't turn the engine over.
My garage has a sloped driveway up to the door. My idea is to push the Porsche out of the garage, down the slope and try to start it in reverse. Lower the lift, move the Mini out on the street and drive the Porsche back on the lift. Then I can easily get to the starter/soleniod or if that turns out ok I can still raise/lower the lift for easy access under the dash for the ignition switch.
We've all push started cars in the past but I've never done it in reverse. Seems like it should work. I'm I correct ??
My garage has a sloped driveway up to the door. My idea is to push the Porsche out of the garage, down the slope and try to start it in reverse. Lower the lift, move the Mini out on the street and drive the Porsche back on the lift. Then I can easily get to the starter/soleniod or if that turns out ok I can still raise/lower the lift for easy access under the dash for the ignition switch.
We've all push started cars in the past but I've never done it in reverse. Seems like it should work. I'm I correct ??
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,190
Likes: 4,178
From: Kannapolis NC
Reverse is the same as forward to start one, except you're rolling backwards. But, as the other Jack said, if it don't start, how are you going to get it up the hill. I'd find out why it isn't turning over. Recharge the new battery, check cable connections, etc. Does the clutch have to be in to start the Porsche? Maybe the interlock switch is bad if so. I'd fix it before I moved it.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,964
Likes: 579
From: Pittsburgh PA
Have done it, as mentioned only problem is gearing so don’t get up too much speed or it will skid.
every time someone mentions push starting I always think of my friend in hs. He had a civic you could push start by literally leaning on it. If that car rolled 2 ft he could catch it in gear.
every time someone mentions push starting I always think of my friend in hs. He had a civic you could push start by literally leaning on it. If that car rolled 2 ft he could catch it in gear.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 7,467
Likes: 2,645
From: Really Central IL Illinois
I remember push starting my 55 Chevy by my self. The problem is with no hill, it was a lot of exercise to get it moving enough and jump in to put it in gear and pop the clutch. Couldn't do it today. And when it didn't start, you have to push it off the road. Hope you have friends and good family when you try.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,190
Likes: 4,178
From: Kannapolis NC
You can. It will turn the engine over with more force at slow speed than the forward gear. It won't slide the tires just rolling slowly to start the car. But you'll still be down the hill if it doesn't start. You didn't say what happens when you try to start. Does it click? Does it turn over too slow to start? Is there no response at all to turning the key to start? I still think you have a voltage problem (battery or cable related). My father owned an auto repair shop his whole adult life and I worked there from time to time and I have started many cars by rolling in reverse, and in fact, prefer it because it does turn over faster.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 946
Likes: 266
From: McMinnville Oregon
Doesn't appear to be the ignition switch. When I turn it to start I can hear a click back at the starter. I'm going to hook up a winch I have to the lift. I think I have a long enough cable to reach the street, maybe with some chain that I should be able to tow the car back up the driveway and onto the lift. Once on the lift I can check or replace the starter.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,190
Likes: 4,178
From: Kannapolis NC
Make sure the car in in neutral, brake on and have someone turn the key to start while you hold a stick (board or broomstick for example) down against the starter and tap the end of the stick to make it bang the starter. I'll bet you it will start and that you need a new starter solenoid. I have been there more than once. When I was younger, I carried a stick in the car for that purpose when I had a sticky solenoid and no money. But it will work fine for a while usually, sometimes a long time.
Le Mans Master
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Make sure the car in in neutral, brake on and have someone turn the key to start while you hold a stick (board or broomstick for example) down against the starter and tap the end of the stick to make it bang the starter. I'll bet you it will start and that you need a new starter solenoid. I have been there more than once. When I was younger, I carried a stick in the car for that purpose when I had a sticky solenoid and no money. But it will work fine for a while usually, sometimes a long time.
Dan