The starter off and on wont turn over when trying to crank the car.

My cars starter sometimes (seems to be getting worse) will not work when trying to start the car. It is a new starter and the car has a new battery. When the starter wont work all i have to do is use a jack and jack up the front of the car on the drivers side just a little bit and then try to start the car again and the starter will work and crank the car every time by doing this. Then once the car cranks i can let the jack down and put it back in the trunk and drive any where i want to go with out any problems as long as i don't turn the car off. When i do turn the car off it sometimes wi
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hello, thank you for writing in. Often when starters are installed they come with a shim. These shims need to be installed to help hold the starter at the proper angle. If the angle is off the gears may not mesh correctly putting excess pressure on it that the starter cannot compete with. If the starter did not come with a shim, or you do not have it anymore, you can likely purchase or fabricate one relatively easily. If this does not solve the issue, make sure there are no wires that are being pinched or shorted out when the full weight of the car is being supported. For more help diagnosing the issue, contact our service department to schedule an appointment. And thank you for you service to our country.

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 Pontiac Grand Am 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.
The most common reason cars don`t start is a dead or faulty battery. Even though most cars run on gasoline, they all require electrical power to function. The starter that cranks your engine to start requires an electrical signal to fire. If something`s wrong with your battery, your car engine won`t turn over.
Blown Fuse

If there has been a surge, a fuse that controls the fuel pump, the fuel injectors, or another component that`s vital for your car`s functioning, it may be the cause of your car`s failure to start. Unlike most of the other problems, this is one that you can check yourself, if you want.

Why won`t my car start but I have power? If you attempt to start up your car but the engine won`t turn over and the dashboard lights up, then you most likely have an issue with your battery. You could have a damaged or corroded battery terminal, which is stopping the engine from starting up when you fully turn the key.
Flat or faulty car battery

A flat battery is the most common reason your car won`t start and can be caused by a number of things, such as lights being left on, something in the electrical system causing a battery drain, or even a faulty battery that won`t hold its charge.

Car suddenly stalls while operating: One of the most common symptoms of a failed ignition relay is a car that suddenly stalls while operating. If the ignition relay shorts, burns out, or otherwise fails while the engine is operating it will cut off power to the fuel pump and ignition system.
A Bad Crankshaft Position Sensor

The crankshaft position sensor monitors the position and rotational speeds of the crankshaft. Without the crank sensor, the engine control module (ECM) wouldn`t know when to fire the fuel injectors and ignite the spark plugs.

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.
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.
If your vehicle won`t start, it`s usually caused by a dying or dead battery, loose or corroded connection cables, a bad alternator or an issue with the starter. It can be hard to determine if you`re dealing with a battery or an alternator problem.
If your vehicle won`t start, it`s usually caused by a dying or dead battery, loose or corroded connection cables, a bad alternator or an issue with the starter. It can be hard to determine if you`re dealing with a battery or an alternator problem.
The most common reasons a Pontiac G6 won`t start are a dead battery, an alternator problem, or failed starter.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

The starter off and on wont turn over when trying to crank the car.
ANSWER : Hello, thank you for writing in. Often when starters are installed they come with a shim. These shims need to be installed to help hold the starter at the proper angle. If the angle is off the gears may not mesh correctly putting excess pressure on it that the starter cannot compete with. If the starter did not come with a shim, or you do not have it anymore, you can likely purchase or fabricate one relatively easily. If this does not solve the issue, make sure there are no wires that are being pinched or shorted out when the full weight of the car is being supported. For more help diagnosing the issue, contact our service department to schedule an appointment. And thank you for you service to our country.

When I go to crank my car the key stays in the start position and the car is constantly trying to crank itself.
ANSWER : First, let’s make sure about some terminology before I proceed. I will assume the motor is actually turning over. If the car is trying to start, the motor has to be turning over or it is not trying to start. This is an important distinction when diagnosing the starting system. As a technician, I go to different parts of the system based on this description.

If the key is stuck in the start position, this is a ignition lock cylinder issue and the reason the starter continues to turn the motor over. If the starter is turning but the motor is not, then the starter is likely the problem. Either that or the teeth on the flex plate are all gone. This would require removing the transmission to repair.

If the car runs intermittently, this can be a big challenge. And it also means the starting system is working. It will need to be diagnosed when it is failing. A working car cannot be diagnosed because there is nothing wrong. Where you park your car should not have any affect. It certainly could be a wiring problem. Wiring problems hide really well and can happen anywhere in the miles of wires that are in your car. Isolating the system that is failing is really important here. At the moment I am unsure which system is failing. Starter system, ignition lock cylinder and or ignition switch electrical or something with the engine control system.

When the car is failing, you need to check for spark and fuel pressure. If neither is present, this is a clue. Usually the crank sensor will do this. Does your car have a tachometer? If so, does it move at all when cranking. This is a clue whether or not the cam and or crank sensor is working. Is there a Check Engine Light on with the key on? If there is a Check Engine Light, the code or codes can be used for specific diagnosis.

All of these concerns will send you down a diagnostic path. Be sure not to confuse yourself by misinterpreting multiple system failures. If the key does stick in the start position, this would be the first problem to solve. After that, does the motor actually turn when the starter turns? After that, the question of "Why won’t it start?" is first answered by finding what the motor is lacking. Fuel, spark etc… Good luck.

If you need assistance with these checks, contact a certified mechanic who has the tools and experience needed to properly diagnose this starting issue with your car.

Battery and oil light come on when trying to start car, take keys out try again car starts no problem and lights go away
ANSWER : Of course, don’t switch gears without being fully stopped, unless your Owner’s Manual or the manufacturer has alternative advice. However, the gear shift issue has no relation to the no-start problem you are describing. Inasmuch as you only have 6,000 miles on the car, the "constant on and off" that you believe has occurred is meaningless in comparison to the expected total vehicle service life. That is, assume what you perceive as "constant on and off", during merely 6,000 miles, might be equivalent to using the car "normally" for three years. A new car should be trouble free for at least 5 years, unless there is a defect, so your "constant on and off" is not a causal factor for any fault on the vehicle. What you might have is a defect in the ignition switch, or perhaps the immobilizer system, but if the problem is not in the switch itself, clearly there is an electrical problem.

If your vehicle is under warranty, by law the dealer MUST repair the issue you are describing within a prescribed time frame and number of "attempts", otherwise the dealer will run afoul of Federal and state Lemon Laws that give you very specific rights, and recourse (contact an Attorney; we are Mechanics, NOT attorneys). Consequently, if the vehicle is still under warranty, to save yourself money do be sure to seek a resolution from the dealer. If the vehicle is not under warranty, obviously a certified Mechanic from YourMechanic could identify the electrical fault and resolve this for you. If you want to go that route, please simply request a no start diagnostic -electrical system and the responding certified mechanic will get this taken care of for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

I just had my starter changed when I turned car on didn’t stay on. I had someone pass current and car turned on fine I drove car f
ANSWER : Hi there. It is quite possible that the starting issue you’re currently having with your Ford Focus is not related to the starter replacement. However, it could be due to might be due to your battery problem. When your battery does not have enough power to engage the starter, it also impacts other important systems critical to maintaining ignition, ranging from the ignition coils to fuel system components. It might be a good idea to have a professional mobile mechanic from our team come to your location to compete a car starts then dies inspection, so they can correctly diagnose this issue and ensure the right repairs are made.

Car won’t turn over. No lights come on when I turn it. Can’t even lock my doorsvor push the seat up or back.
ANSWER : Your probably correct, it sounds as though your battery is done. But it also sounds like you have charging system issues. I’m not sure that fixing your battery and charging system will solve the problem with the car shutting off, but it’s possible that it will and it’s a darned good place to start. By contacting Your Mechanic, you can have a technician come to your home or office to check out your car and help you figure out what to do next.

Car won’t crank when it’s cold and now won’t start at all
ANSWER : Hi there:

Usually this issue is cased by low cranking amps inside the battery. If you’ve recently had the battery replaced, it’s possible that an electrical component that makes up the charging system might be damaged or faulty. It’s also quite possible that the main electrical relay or the starter relay is giving you fits. To know for certain what the exact issue might be on your 1989 Toyota Camry, you should have a professional mobile mechanic complete a car is hard to start inspection, so they can pinpoint the source of your issues and recommend the right repairs.

My car stops when engine gets warm and while I am driving I stop on red light and car suddenly turn off and I have to hit starter
ANSWER : Hello, from what you’ve described it sounds like you are having several different issues. The starter should have nothing to do with it stalling, but it will have something to do with the car restarting if it doesn’t turn the engine well. The stalling can be from the distributor or possibly a computer sensor.

The scenario where you hit a car from behind may be from another problem, alongside with the idling of the engine. Without knowing the model and engine size of your car I can only say so much. I would suggest having a mechanic do a thorough check of the entire car to check the engine, brakes, and computer systems to see if the problems can be identified and repaired, or at the very least quoted.

As I’m driving, all my lights inside/out of the car turn off and the car still stays on. But when I turn the car off it won’t turn over
ANSWER : Hello there. The charging system on the car may not be charging the battery as you drive and the systems that keep the engine running are priority so the engine will stay running until the voltage drops below about 9 volts but the lighting and some other accessories may cut off above this voltage first. You should have the charging system tested to see if the alternator needs to be replaced.