Engine no-start diagnostic • How to check the battery • Why the car won`t start If the car won`t start, check simple things first: Make sure you have a fuel in the tank, oil in the engine and the battery is OK. Now simply answer the questions, press "Yes" or "No" (If it`s blue, follow the link). - Do you hear the cranking sound when you`re trying to start your car? Yes No ) - When you switch the ignition ON before starting a car, does the "check engine" light come ON? (Yes No ) - When you switch the ignition ON, do you hear fuel pump buzzing sound from the gas tank area? (Yes No ) Before your engine died, did you experience any prior events such as: - leaving the lights ON overnight (Yes No) - driving through a deep puddle, or washing the engine compartment? (Yes No) - trying a jump start? (Yes No) - having only a little fuel in a tank? (Yes No) - having had the engine repaired recently? (Yes No) - the engine was overheated? (Yes No) - extremely low oil pressure? (Yes No) - unusual noises such as knocking, pinging, whistling? (Yes No) - smoking from exhaust pipe? (Yes No) - strong smell of a gas? (Yes No) Now, let`s try again. Turn off the radio, try to crank the engine one more time, and listen carefully. Is the cranking sounds different than it used to be? If it`s different, does it looks like the engine being cranked by the starter too slowly? (Yes No) Is the engine being cranked too fast? (Yes No) ![]() ![]() If the battery is relatively new, it can be recharged. All you need to do is to boost your car and let the engine run for a while to charge the battery. However if your battery is more than three - four years old, you will probably need to buy a new one. Sometimes, an old battery may even die with no apparent reason, even if day before it was OK. ![]() ![]() CAUTION: Never try to fix or replace a fuel pump by yourself, it`s located in the gas tank, and the car can catch a fire if not following certain precautions. Bring your car to a repair shop ![]() CAUTION: Never touch the ignition wires, coil or distributor when ignition is ON or the engine is running; and be careful, engine is probably very hot! Switch the ignition off, open the hood and check the spark plugs wires (check the picture), distributor and spark plug caps. They shouldn`t be wet. If they are wet, turn the ignition off. With the ignition off, dry the ignition wires, distributor and spark plug caps with a clean rag or tissue. Now try to start engine with fully pressed accelerator pedal because your engine may be flooded with gas. ![]() ![]() ![]() CAUTION: Never open the radiator cap or extension tank cap when the engine is hot! If the engine died after it overheated and won`t start even after its temperature is reduced, there is probably a severe engine problem (like broken pistons, blown head gasket, etc.). Check the coolant level. It should be between "low" and "full" marks in the expansion tank (look at the image). If it is too low, add a coolant fluid. Even If the engine starts after the temperature is reduced, you have to find reason of the overheating, because the engine overheating may result in serious engine damage. Have your car inspected by the mechanic. ![]() Never proceed driving if the low oil pressure warning light is on while the engine is running. It`s possible that engine ran out of the oil, or oil screen is clogged in the oil pan. Driving even few blocks with low oil pressure may cost you a new engine. Get your car towed in the repair shop. ![]() Whistling may be a result of a loosened drive belt. When the drive belt is loose, it slips on the alternator pulley and in return, the alternator can not recharge the battery. Engine detonation knocking (High pitch metal knocking that appears mostly while accelerating) is usually a result of too advanced ignition or poor gasoline. It also may happen when one of the cylinders misfires or when engine overheats. ![]() If there is a strong smell of gas in your car, you probably have a gas leak, turn the ignition off and get out of the car. CAUTION: Never proceed driving if you feel the gas smell, even if it happens only when you start the car. Possibly you have a gas leak that can easily cause a car to catch a fire - have your car inspected. ![]() - black smoke means the engine runs very rich - too much gasoline goes to the engine which most likely means there is something wrong with fuel- or ignition system. For example this may happen when one or two cylinders misfire. - stinky blue or white-blue smoke means burning oil as result of serious internal engine defect (like broken pistons or piston rings). ![]() If you note, that the engine is not being turned over by the starter or being turned over too slowly, it may be because of a(n): - discharged battery - a starter defect - bad connection with the battery terminals - internal engine defect (bad oil, lack of the oil, etc.) ![]() If while cranking the engine is turning over too fast, it means there is probably no compression in the cylinders. It could happen because of engine internal problem (broken pistons, or valves) or if the timing belt breaks or jumps.
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