Generic Troubleshooting - Car cannot start
#1
Generic Troubleshooting - Car cannot start
Anyone have a simple guide on this:
Like - what to check (spark, fuel) if it doesn't have spark or fuel, what parts to inpect and look for.
Lets say for example, car cranks over but doesn't start. Where would you start? I'm assuming the starter and battery would be good bc its cranking. Could the issue then be wiring/sensors? distributor? alternator? injectors? plugs? blown motor (no compression), etc
Is there a generic guide that helps with the most generic car problem around?
Thanks
Like - what to check (spark, fuel) if it doesn't have spark or fuel, what parts to inpect and look for.
Lets say for example, car cranks over but doesn't start. Where would you start? I'm assuming the starter and battery would be good bc its cranking. Could the issue then be wiring/sensors? distributor? alternator? injectors? plugs? blown motor (no compression), etc
Is there a generic guide that helps with the most generic car problem around?
Thanks
#2
well, just b/c its cranking doesn't mean the battery is good, check the voltage while its cranking, might just not have enough juice to get it running.
Then i'd check for spark, pull a spark plug out, attach it to the spark plug wire and ground it on the valve cover, have someone crank the car over and watch the end of the spark plug for a bright blue/white spark. If there isn't any spark, then check the coil and ICM inside of the dizzy, chances are one of them is the cause, there are specs you can check with a DVOM that most manuals have (haynes, helms).
Then i'd check for spark, pull a spark plug out, attach it to the spark plug wire and ground it on the valve cover, have someone crank the car over and watch the end of the spark plug for a bright blue/white spark. If there isn't any spark, then check the coil and ICM inside of the dizzy, chances are one of them is the cause, there are specs you can check with a DVOM that most manuals have (haynes, helms).
#3
also befor pulling plugs turn off every thing that makes nosies then turn key to start position and listen for the fuel pump, maybe the pump is dead and its not geting gas! if you hear the pump then check for spark, no spark yup check the coil maybe even distributr cap n rotor also check fuses! always check the easy and cheap stuff 1st itll save you some $ in the long run
#4
Any codes?
I am assuming you have cranked the car at this point for some time. Pull the plugs and see if they are fuel soaked. Then i would continue as zeeman said and ground the spark plug to the cover and see if each cylinder has spark. This would be a good start! Obviously i don't know the tools to your disposal so i can't go into huge detail. Considering the history of the car and why it won't start it may be a good idea to do a compressiontest to ensure everything mechnically is ok.
Remeber that when you do get the car started eventually to change the engine oil as at this point you have contaminated the oil heavily with fuel.
I am assuming you have cranked the car at this point for some time. Pull the plugs and see if they are fuel soaked. Then i would continue as zeeman said and ground the spark plug to the cover and see if each cylinder has spark. This would be a good start! Obviously i don't know the tools to your disposal so i can't go into huge detail. Considering the history of the car and why it won't start it may be a good idea to do a compressiontest to ensure everything mechnically is ok.
Remeber that when you do get the car started eventually to change the engine oil as at this point you have contaminated the oil heavily with fuel.
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