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
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 the car started just fine, tested both the battery and the alternator and they both passed. Started the next day 2 times, and then wouldn't start the 3rd time after driving for about 45 mins. Got a jump and the car started fine again. Drove about 15 mins and the car started fine, removed the negative battery connector and the car did not die. What could possibly be the issue?
Thanks!
My car has 185000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
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.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
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.
Bad alternator
When you have a brand-new battery but still can`t start the car, the alternator might be the issue. Cold and damp climates may increase wear on an alternator, causing it to fail. Flickering gauges and a burning rubber smell could indicate that the alternator overheated and requires replacement.
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.
If the starter engages but does not disengage when you let go of the key, the solenoid is likely bad and the starter may suffer significant damage as a result. Sometimes your car starts, sometimes it doesn`t. Intermittent operation can be a sign of a failing starter solenoid.
Bad Sensors
One common culprit for this problem is the crankshaft position sensor, which measures the position and speed of the crankshaft. The computer uses the information from this sensor to know when to fire the spark plugs. If the sensor isn`t working, the spark plugs won`t fire, keeping the engine from starting.
Starter – Your starter may be loose, so make sure it is bolted in place. Injectors – A bad injector can keep the engine from firing. Cold Start Valve – If the engine is cold and the cold start valve is bad, it can keep your car from starting.
So you just replaced your car battery. Start by driving the car for about 20 to 30 minutes, then reprogram your radio presets. , drive the car for about 20 to 30 minutes to reset the computer and charge the new battery before reprogramming your radio and anti-theft systems.
It might be a battery or alternator problem.
If the source of the clicking is electrical, the starter (a small motor energized by the battery that gets the engine running) doesn`t have enough juice to stay powered. So instead, it rapidly turns on and off and produces a clicking noise!
The cranking continues, but the usual sound of the engine roaring to life doesn`t happen. If this happens to you, chances are it`s not the starter. Instead, it`s likely because your engine isn`t getting at least one of the four major components it needs to start: fuel, air, spark, or compression.
Typically when your electrical accessories are working well, but it takes a few cranks for the engine to start, the issue is with the fuel or ignition system. In most cases, clogged or dirty fuel injectors, throttle body or mass air flow sensor will be the root source of this problem.
Yes, you can drive with a bad oxygen sensor if you can still start your engine and feel little difficulty driving. But don`t leave it alone for over a couple of days, as it might cause safety problems and lead to the malfunction of other parts of your vehicle.
The O2 sensor will not cause the no start. The no start can be caused by the fuel pump or the ignition system. You should check the engine for spark and fuel pressure, when it is not turning on to help narrow the problem down. The ignition system may be the coil, module, or pick up in the distributor.
The ECU will eventually relearn its ideal settings and reprogram itself with use.
If you were to replace an aged battery at the end of its service life with a brand new battery without updating the BMS, your new battery`s performance and service life will be compromised. This is why a new car battery should be coded to your vehicle.
If your starter relay has gone bad, the electrical signal will never make it from the battery to the starter motor. As a result, your engine won`t turn over – no matter how many times you turn the key. A faulty relay often produces an audible clicking sound when you turn your car.
The starter relay makes a clicking sound, but the engine does not rotate, which indicates that the starter motor is not receiving enough current from the relay. This may also be a sign of low or exhausted battery power. Only when it transmits enough current to the starter, the relay starts to work.
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)
The crankshaft position sensor monitors the position and speed of the crankshaft and other parameters that play an important role when starting the engine. If the crankshaft position sensor is having a problem, the vehicle may have intermittent starting issues or not start at all.
Common signs include the vehicle not starting, starter staying on after the engine started, intermittent issues starting, and a clicking sound.
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.
your car fails to start: the engine`s computer uses the map sensor to gauge atmospheric pressure before the engine is started. a false reading could cause too much or too little fuel to be delivered to the engine. both conditions could keep it from firing up.
Why do O2 sensors fail? Since the oxygen sensor is in the exhaust stream, it can become contaminated. Common sources of contamination include an excessively rich fuel mixture condition or oil blow-by in an older engine and engine coolant being burnt in the combustion chamber as a result of an engine gasket leak.
If you`re ever riding on the highway and smell something harsh from your car, that could be a quick sign that your O2 sensor is failing. If you ever begin to pick up on some changes like bad powertrain performance, engine misfires, or loud noises, that could be a symptom of your O2 sensor probably having issues.
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.
2005 Chrysler 300C changed battery and alternator. Car started, ran, and then battery light came on. Shut car off and wouldn’t start.
ANSWER : Hi. There is a couple of things that could be wrong here. The battery or alternator that was just installed could be defective. Theses parts need to be tested for proper operation. There also could be a fuse, fusible link, or wiring for the battery or charging system that is blown or broken causing the battery light to come on.
The codes that you have will cause the car to shut down, run rough, or not start at all. The crankshaft sensor and camshaft sensor should be replaced. I suggest having a certified technician from YourMechanic come diagnose the charging system and check engine codes to help you proceed with correct repairs.
Fuel pump engages. Batery good, alternator good volts, jump start helps when wont start. Temp does not matter. Intermittent?
ANSWER : Hello. Thank you for writing in. There are several reasons your vehicle may only start when jump starting. The first and most common is a build up of resistance that is causing you to need a boost of voltage to get the engine started. This may be due to poor battery cables, a bad ground connection, a poor starter solenoid, and a couple of other issues. The first thing you want to do is perform a visual inspection of the starting system. Make sure there is no corrosion build up in the battery cables. You can also check the resistance across these wires and make sure you have a solid connection between components. You then want to make sure the starter solenoid is doing its job. It is responsible for taking the small amount of electricity sent by the ignition and turning it into a huge electrical charge that is strong enough to push over the engine with the help of some gear ratios in its favor. Do some more testing, and stick to the basics before assuming its something seriously complicated.
Car won’t start 2002 Toyota Camry
ANSWER : Hello – your symptoms are a bit confusing. The "starts, but shuts off rather quickly" behavior could be a security system problem with your key. The stalling when slowing or stopped could be dirty throttle body, malfunctioning idle air control valve, or other fuel supply issues. I recommend a hard starting inspection to get to the bottom of this, performed by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, and give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.
My car wasn’t starting unless it was jumped off. So I bought a new battery and am having the same problem.
ANSWER : If the check engine light is on, downloading the trouble codes that have been recorded by the PCM will aid in the diagnostic. The battery warning light means there’s something wrong with the battery and/or charging system. The battery should be load tested. If the "new" battery is discharged, the mechanic would check to make sure there is not parasitic power draw that is causing your battery to rapidly discharge or cause low voltage even with a functioning alternator. You have an electrical fault of some sort and the causes could be a bad ground to the body, an intermittent failure in the charging circuit, corroded connections to the battery, and so forth. To get this resolved, I recommend you request a check engine light diagnostic. During such a diagnostic, a certified mechanic from YourMechanic would use a code scanner to retrieve the diagnostic trouble code(s) from your car’s PCM and then use those codes to find the fault that caused the check engine light to illuminate. Once the faulty part or component is identified, it is explained to your satisfaction and the mechanic will let you know of the cost to repair. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
Brand new car has problem starting 2016 Nissan Sentra
ANSWER : Hi – the "hard start when hot" sounds like a weak starter solenoid – unusual for a new car. "Heat soak" the transfer of heat after a vehicle has been driven, can sometimes cause weak electrical components, like the starter solenoid, to fail while hot, but work properly once they have cooled down. Since your vehicle is under warranty, I would seek correction through the dealer where you purchased the vehicle. If this is not satisfactory, call Nissan Customer Service to escalate.
Started with new battery once, but then wouldn’t the next day
ANSWER : The alternator can certainly be the culprit. The function of the alternator is to provide all the vehicle’s electrical needs once it’s running. The battery is there to start te engine and as sort of a back up to the alternator. If the alternator is not providing enough power for the electrical needs of the entire vehicle – spark, ignition, fuel pump, lights, heat, etc, the system will turn to the battery for power. However, the battery cannot charge itself. Once the battery is drained, you need a jump start. However, if the vehicle was not driven very far and the battery was still dead in the morning, you may have a short/draw. Some component or system may be drawing electricity even when the vehicle is off. Have a charging system inspection performed. A certified technician will be able to tell you if it is an alternator or other electrical issue.
Vehicle won’t start, once it’s jump started it only stays running until you turn it off, then it work start again without jumping.
ANSWER : Hi there. There could be two problems here. It is possible that your battery is bad and will not take a charge from your alternator while driving. In that case every time you shut your car off you will not have enough juice to start it again. Inspect your battery – it should have at least 12.5 to 13 volts to start your car, if it doesn’t you will need to replace the battery. The second problem could be that your alternator is bad and not charging your battery, in this case you will need to replace your alternator. Both the battery and the alternator can be tested in your car. If you would like to have the car checked for you, a certified professional from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to diagnose the starting problem and proceed with repairs.
