Engine only cranks
The engine cranks but won't start.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
The ignition system on these vehicles and engines have many issues that may cause the no start. The first thing to check is the distributor cap and rotor for burn through. If okay, then the coil, ignition module and starter in the distributor need to be checked. Sometimes one fails and shorts one or more of the others. If the vehicle is checked and no ignition spark is found, then the coil and module is one of the most likely causes. To have your starting issue diagnosed, a certified mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, can come to your home or office to ensure that the right repairs are made.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
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Why won`t my car start but the battery is good? If your car won`t start but the battery is good, the most common cause is a faulty starter – though it could also be to do with your fuel. You may have insufficient fuel to get the car going.
The Likely Culprit: Alternator
As important as the battery in your vehicle is, it really has one main job: to start the engine. If the alternator isn`t working as it should, your battery won`t have enough charge to start the engine, but that`s not the only problem you may experience.
The cause of this problem is usually one of 3 things – a failed starter motor, a bad connection between the battery and starter motor, or a blown fuse (if present) in line between the starter and the battery.
1 Start motor engages but the engine doesn`t turn
The simplest cause of this sort of fault is a loose or corroded electrical connection. If there is a fault with the internal windings of the starter motor, bad brushes, or other electrical faults, the starter motor may lack the torque to crank the engine.
Failing Battery or Starter Motor
If a battery is low on energy, or if the connections are loose, your engine may be able to crank, but it may not start–or it may take several tries. Similarly, a starter motor that`s beginning to fail may still crank the engine, but won`t be powerful enough for it to start.
A car can only run for a very short time with a failed alternator. This is because the alternator charges the battery when the engine is running. Once the battery is depleted, the vehicle will die and fail to restart.
The alternator converts mechanical energy into electrical energy allowing the car to charge the battery while you are driving. The starter works in a different way converting electrical energy of the auto into mechanical energy. Both the alternator and starter can wear out over time needing repair or replacement.
The starter motor converts this energy into mechanical energy to crank the engine. After the engine has started, the alternator generates an electrical current to replace what the starter draws from the battery during startup and supports electrical loads while the engine is running.
It might be a battery or alternator problem.
A rapid clicking noise when trying to start your car could mean there`s something wrong within the electrical system. Perhaps your battery`s dead, or your alternator, which charges the battery, isn`t working correctly.
The starter solenoid is an electromagnetic switch that engages the starter motor. How can I tell if my starter solenoid is bad? If you`re having trouble cranking the engine over but the battery is charged, or if your starter won`t disengage after starting the engine, it`s likely a starter solenoid issue.
The starter can spin without engaging with the flywheel , or jam in engagement. In an inertia starter, dirt in the spiral Bendix thread is the usual reason for it not engaging. Remove the starter (See Checking and replacing the starter motor ) and clean the gear thoroughly with petrol and a paintbrush.
Bad Fuel Pump
Modern cars require a highly pressurized fuel distribution system in order to get the fuel into the engine block. If it sounds like your battery and starter work fine, but the engine just isn`t igniting any fuel, there`s a good chance that the engine lost fuel pressure.
If you don`t hear clicking when you start the engine, the problem may be a dead battery. If you hear clicking, but the engine doesn`t crank, the starter might not be getting enough electricity. Using your owner`s manual and a voltmeter, you should be able to test functionality.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
Can front wheel drive car engine power rear wheel drive
ANSWER : Anything is possible with enough engineering. The changes you are looking at would take major structural changes and would definitely not be an easy job. You could possibly consult a manufacturing engineer to get more details on how this could actually be carried out and whether it would be feasible.
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Truck cranks but won’t start. Has good fuel pressure and spark. Engine will crank and run if you pour gas in the throttle body.
ANSWER : Hi there. Check the injectors harness with the key on and the engine off without trying to crank. There should be a voltage on one side of the harness supplying fuel to the injectors. Then crank the engine and back probe the wires to see if there is power on the other terminal on the harness. If there is no power, then the injectors are not compressing down and causing the system to not complete the circuit. If there is a voltage, then the injectors may be plugged up not allowing the fuel to spray out. I recommend replacing the injectors if you are unable to clean them out with injection cleaner. If you need further assistance with you engine not starting, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.
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engine cranks over but won’t start
ANSWER : Hello. Thank you for writing in. The fuel smell you are having is from the engine throwing fuel into the cylinders that is not being burned. The spark system will is likely the cause of your no start. If none of the coils are receiving power, then the issue is likely the powe’re source to the coils. Check for voltage there. If they are reciting voltage but not producing spark, then all of the coils need to be replaced. You should replace them all at the same time anyway. This keeps the wear on the vehicle even. Replace the plugs at the same time.
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Out of the blue when I started car, the engine and gas was fine when cranked but the car did not fully start. The engine oil pressure light came on.
ANSWER : Hi there. Check the engine oil level. If the oil level is low, then top off and recheck the symptoms. If the engine oil is full and the oil pressure light is lit up on the dash, then either the oil pressure sensor has failed or the oil pump has failed. Take a look at the oil pressure sensor and see if the contacts are loose or damaged. If the oil pressure sensor seems to be intact, then I recommend removing the sensor and putting in a test gauge and checking the oil pressure as the engine is cranked. If there is oil pressure of 25 psi or greater, then the oil pressure sensor needs replaced. If there is no oil pressure, then the oil pump needs replaced. If you need further assistance with your warning lights being on for the engine oil, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.
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Check engine light refuses to go off after engine replaced
ANSWER : Hello there, you have a long series of issues going on with your 2013 Hyundai Sonata. If you keep getting a repeating oil light on than there is likely a fault in that system.
Since this fault has lasted after the engine was replaced it could be a oil pressure sensor, wiring harness fault, ECU fault, oil pump, oil strainer clogged, or low oil pressure.
To diagnose this issue properly you need a complete vehicle inspection to start from square one and identify the root cause of all this.
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How do you replace the rear & side engine mounts without lifting out the engine? & how do you lift the engine out?
ANSWER : Hi…thank you for your questions. If required in the application, a portable engine support bar is used to support an engine during mount replacement. The support bar has lifting capability as well so that the mount can be unloaded and removed. If a particular repair application requires a "crane" (complete engine removal for instance), such are portable these days in any event. With regard to the exhaust system repair, mechanics use ramps to gain access. Six ton portable jack stands will safely support a car two feet into the air which provides more than enough access to repair or replace any exhaust system component. If you desire replacement of the mounts, please refer to YourMechanic’s motor mount replacement service page. For exhaust leaks, please use the exhaust system inspection/repair page page. Once on each of those service pages, if you click on "Get a Quote" and enter your vehicle information (year, make, model) you can obtain cost info and schedule the service. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
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Engine malfunction light, reduced engine power, engine powered down
ANSWER : Hi there. There are a lot of things that can cause this on your 2012 BMW M5. I usually start by scanning the computer for codes to see what comes up. If there are not codes then I load test the alternator and the battery to see if they are failing. Low voltage in the electrical system will cause this. If that is fine, then it is usually caused by a failing throttle body. I have seen a lot of these fail due to the motors in them hanging up. If the problem is only happening intermittently, this can make the issue hard to duplicate, but you can still have tests done on the car. If you are going to have this fixed, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to your home or office to test the vehicle and diagnose the Engine Malfunction Light.
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I have a 2010 camry. I just recently replaced the engine with a 2014 camry engine. Now I have Four engine lights on. I replaced on
ANSWER : If you swapped the engine from a vehicle that is 4 years newer than the car is then you are going to have electrical and sensor incompatibilities that may not be able to be fixed by just a few sensor replacements. There were many changes in computer and emission related items between 2010 and 2014 engines. I would recommend having a mechanic like one from YourMechanic come to you and compare the two engines to isolate the possible differences and see if the problem can be fixed.
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