Car won’t start
I hooked the battery up backwards. Blew the 100a alt fuse and two others. Before I changed the 100 amp fuse car would start, but no lights and it wouldn't go into gear. Once fuses were swapped and tested lights worked but now the car won't start. I've tested all relays (except starter relay because it's in an ackward place) and they checked out fine. When the car is in the start position all dash lights and service lights illuminate but no response when I try to start it. I've bought a new battery so I'm sure it's good. please advise.
My car has 167000 miles.
M
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Whenever a car won’t start, it’s important to differentiate between a crank no start and a no crank. It sounds like you have a no crank because you are testing the starting circuit and you have replaced the battery. In your situation, you should test every fuse in every fuse block you can find. This should be done with a test light and it doesn’t take a lot of time. Simply touch the test light to the small metal piece that is exposed on the back of the fuse. There will be a couple of fuses that can’t be checked in this way, but they will be designed to be tested visually. Testing relays should be done as part of checking a specific system. Contrary to popular belief, the only good way to test a relay is by using it in the circuit you are testing. This will often take some thought to set up a test with jumper wires.
With your situation, the results of what has happened is going to be random and unpredictable. I can give you some diagnostic tracks to follow, but they are simply a means to an end in this case.
Moving on to the no crank, if you have anti-theft, there will be a starter cut relay. Not all of these have a security system so determining if you do would be my first order of business. You will most likely have an indicator on the dash showing a security feature. If you do, there are a few techniques that work on most cars. Lock and unlock each door, including your trunk or rear hatch, three times. Most of the time you will only have to do this on the drivers door, but often it will be another door or hatch that will reset the security system. A second method is to disconnect the battery, turn the key to the run position, reconnect the battery with the key in the run position. If neither of these work, you will need to do some deeper diagnosis.
If those didn’t work, I would find the starter cut relay (if you have a security system) and use jumper wires to activate the rest of the system. This requires a wiring diagram and some knowledge of how these systems work. Be warned, if you have an anti-theft system and you are testing at the starter cut relay, there are modules involved that will not react well if you happened to short them to ground or supply power to the wrong pin. So be careful and I don’t suggest you proceed if you are not certain about these systems. If there isn’t a starter cut relay, remove the starter relay and do the same with jumper wires. Again, this will also require a wiring diagram.
I would do most of my testing at the starter relay. From there you can confirm there is power from the ignition switch when attempting to crank the motor, you can supply power with a jumper wire to the starter solenoid, it should crank when you do, and you can confirm the fusible link and 30A main fuse is good. If one or more of these fuses or switch is not working, you will need to follow the power from its source for each circuit to the point of failure.
You may find there are more than a couple system that have problems, so be patient and use a systematic approach. If you find this process is too daunting, you may want to have a certified technician, such as one from YourMechanic, come to your car’s location to diagnose the starting issue and perform the correct repairs.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
Most commonly, its caused by a fuel pump that`s not working. The fuel pump fuse may have blown, or the fuel pump itself will need to be replaced. Alternatively, this problem could be caused by a leak in the fuel lines, clogged fuel injectors or a bad fuel pressure regulator.
The most common cause of a 2003 Toyota Corolla not starting and not clicking is a dead battery. Unfortunately it could also be a lot of other more complicated things—like bad wiring, a faulty solenoid, or a broken starter. Start with getting a jump start for your Corolla and see if that gets it going.
When your engine cranks but won`t start or run, it could mean your engine is having trouble producing a spark, getting fuel, or creating compression. The most common causes are problems in the ignition (for example, a bad ignition coil) or fuel system (for example, a clogged fuel filter).
The most common reasons a Toyota Corolla won`t start are a dead battery, an alternator problem, or failed starter. Search our network of RepairPal Certified shops near you to speak with a technician about your issue.
When your engine cranks but won`t start or run, it could mean your engine is having trouble producing a spark, getting fuel, or creating compression. The most common causes are problems in the ignition (for example, a bad ignition coil) or fuel system (for example, a clogged fuel filter).
Broken or Damaged Ignition If your headlights can turn on, but your car won`t crank, that means that your battery is charged, but either the starter or ignition is the problem. If the starter or ignition is the problem, a starter engine can be jumped by using a charged battery.
Hard start symptoms and starter failure may NOT be caused by the starter, but could actually be caused by the crankshaft position sensor. If your vehicle is experiencing one or more of these symptoms, the crankshaft sensor may be at fault.
1. Bad Crankshaft Position Sensor. Not only does the engine in your car need a spark to begin combustion, that spark has to take place at the exact right moment. Too late or too early and the air/fuel mixture won`t entirely combust, reducing performance and potentially failing to start the engine entirely.
With a cranking system, symptoms are divided into one of three possible troubleshooting categories: Click — No-Crank (solenoid clicks but starter doesn`t crank) No-Click — No-Crank (solenoid doesn`t click/starter doesn`t crank) Slow Crank (starter cranks, but engine RPM slow to start vehicle)
If air is restricted by a dirty filter, it can lead to hard starts and sluggish performance, such as poor acceleration. Your air intake assembly — including the tube or “boot” connected to your intake — could also be at fault.
Hard start symptoms and starter failure may NOT be caused by the starter, but could actually be caused by the crankshaft position sensor. If your vehicle is experiencing one or more of these symptoms, the crankshaft sensor may be at fault.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
My car will not start Intermittently. I purchased a new battery 2 weeks ago and yesterday the car wouldn’t start. Got a jump and
ANSWER : The issue you are having is probably due to an intermittent fault in the starter motor itself or a deficiency in the starter electrical circuit, for example a large voltage drop due to a poor ground or a high resistance connection. These issues can be readily diagnosed and resolved on a mobile basis if you request a hard starting diagnostic. If you request that diagnostic, the responding certified mechanic will get this resolved for you promptly. Based on Toyota’s Factory Service Manual, the battery should not be disconnected if the vehicle engine is running. The battery acts as a large resistive voltage sink and consequently taking the battery out of the circuit, while the alternator is still running, can create a voltage spike on the car’s electrical system which is not good for voltage sensitive components such as the engine computer. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
Car won’t start. The check engine light, battery light, and oil change light are coming on. I tried jumping the car and nothing happened. Why won’t my car start?
ANSWER : Hi and thanks for contacting Your Mechanic. If sometimes your vehicle will start with the new alternator and sometimes it won’t, then there is a loose connection in your charging system. Check all of the wires to the alternator and to the battery. Make sure that the battery cables are clean and tight. Make sure that the wires to the starter are clean and tight. A loose ground to the ignition system will cause the vehicle to not crank over. Check all of the ground wires from the battery to the starter. Make sure that they are clean and tight. If you need further assistance troubleshooting your no start situation, then seek out a technician, such as one from Your Mechanic, that can assist you.
The car crank but won’t start
ANSWER : Hi there. This does sound like an issue with the wiring. If the check engine light is coming on every now and then this means that when it does not come on there is no power to the computer. This can be the wiring harness issue or an ignition switch problem. I would have to test for voltage to the computer when the problem is occurring to be able to find where the issue lies. If you need assistance, a certified YourMechanic technician can be dispatched to your location to inspect your vehicle’s non-start issue and suggest any necessary repairs.
Map sensor car won’t start up good ?
ANSWER : Your MAP sensor is an important input for your computer. It helps determine the load on the engine to calculate the correct amount of fuel to inject. It sometimes takes a few seconds for the vehicle to realize that the sensor is not producing a good signal.
At that point, it will use other methods to determine the fuel rate, such as pre-programmed fuel maps, throttle position, etc. I would suggest replacing the MAP sensor and retesting. If you would like to have it checked first, a certified technician from YourMechanic will be able to scan your vehicle and test components to determine the root cause of your starting issue before making a repair.
My car won’t start, neither does my auto. Start. Sometime it might start if I jump it sometimes it won’t.
ANSWER : Hi there. There are a number of issues that will make a car hard to start. Everything from the electrical system to the fuel system to the actual starter itself can be the problem. Finding the root cause of a hard starting engine can take some investigation. Ignoring a hard starting issue can further damage the vehicle, which will often result in a more expensive repair. You might want to have a mobile mechanic complete a car is hard to start inspection so they can pinpoint the source of the issues you’re having and recommend the right repairs be completed.
Whenever I drive 1.5 miles, the s3 light starts blinking and then when I stop my car and come back to it, the car won’t start.
ANSWER : Hello, thank you for writing in. It is difficult to determine the issue without some more information. To start, when the check engine light illuminates, you want to scan the vehicle for diagnostic codes. These are what set the check engine light off, and are meant to tell the driver what the computer has detected is wrong. Codes can be pulled at most automotive parts stores, and by most technicians. Once you have that information you can focus in on one component or system. If the engine is truly overheating, then you want to start by checking your coolant and fluid levels. For more help with diagnosing and resolving the issue, contact our service department to schedule an appointment.
So I have a hyundai sonata se push to start. My car won’t turn on, power is working, I push tof start but it won’t crank. I don’t
ANSWER : Hi there. It sounds like you have a failed starter. However, without proper testing there is no way to be 100% sure. I suggest having the battery tested first with a digital battery tester that provides current voltage, cold cranking amps, and state of health. Also inspect for corrosion on the terminals and cables as this will cause excessive resistance and not allow proper voltage/amps to the starter. Other possible failures could be in the wiring harness, relay, fuses, or communication network. I suggest having a qualified technician perform an inspection to avoid replacing unnecessary parts. Your Mechanic has several available technicians that can assist you with a car does not start inspection.
car hesitates when trying to start the car ,but when started then i shut car off and start again it will start right up
ANSWER : Hi there:
Sometimes when you have problems starting an engine initially it is caused by a restriction in fuel flow; caused either by clogged fuel injectors or the throttle body that needs to be cleaned. Once the fuel starts to flow and engine warms up, it’s much easier to start. However, it could also be an air filter, EGR valve or other components that causes this issue as well, which is why it’s best to have a professional mobile mechanic complete a car is hard to start inspection so they can pinpoint the source of this issue.
