i came out to my car last night after work....happy as usual to be about to drive it, when it wouldnt start. The battery works fine and the starter is working too....it just wont turn over. what could it be? I was thinking maybe the fuel pump or something. It seemed to work fine on the way to work though.

Im gonna have it towed to the house, so can anybody help me with some basic diagnosis on how i can discover what the problem is and if i can fix it myself. i have plenty of room in the garage, and ramps but no lift.

thanks :eek:

 

Need a little more info. When you say the battery and starter both work fine what do you mean? Is the starter turning or does it just "click"? You should be able to grab onto the accessory drive belt and turn the engine over by hand (MAKE SURE THE KEY IS OFF!!)--if you can't you just need to start throwing money at it till it goes away!!

 

the starter is turning.....wish i could afford to throw money at it until it goes away!
just got it home and in my driveway...

 

ok, so the starter is turning --is the engine turning over? If the engine isn't turning over but the starter is running then no problem we got ya covered! the starter drive isn't engaging in the flywheel for some reason. It will be the solenoid, fork or striped out starter drive. either way they aren't too hard to replace. Might be easier to just replace the whole starter with a rebuilt. (don't forget to unhook the battery unless you WANT a light show!)

 

im sorry im not really technical with cars....what do you mean by is the engine turning over? If the engine was turning over wouldnt the car be starting? If the starter is messed up as you say, if i take it to Autozone or oreillys will they be able to test it?

By the way, i really appretiate your help. :cool: :yesnod:

 

Turning Over: Starter is engaged and operating, engine is turning (belts / pulleys spinning slowly). Engine has not yet started, no Vrooom, Vrooom.

Engine starts: Vrooom, Vroooom. Stuff comes out of exhaust, gas pedal causes engine to revolve faster slower; ready to drive.

If engine turns over this indicates that the starting circuits are functioning, i.e battery / wires / cables / switch, etc.

If the engine turns over and does not start that means the first things to check are spark and fuel. In broadly (overly) general terms, if spark and fuel exist the engine should start.

Quick check for spark: Pull a plug wire and use an old spark plug. Snap plug into plug wire and tape to good ground like alternator bracket (Metal of plug threads / housing must be grounded). Have someone "turn over" engine while you watch for nice blue spark. If it does not spark try better ground. If still does not spark than probably have a spark problem.

Quick check for fuel: Find scheader valve on fuel rail (looks like tire valve) and get a rag around it. Press in plunger quick and see if fuel shoots out. Position rag to catch fuel.

Further quick fuel check: When key is first turned to "on" but not start (not turning over) you should hear the fuel pump run (in gas tank) for a few seconds.

Good Luck, let us know what you find out.

Pete

 

update: engine is turning over just fine.....belts move when i try to start it. Will do the basic spark and fuel checks today.