Car wont turn over--Need Help

ajh2298

ajh2298

CAGiversary!
Feedback
181 (100%)
Hello I went out to start my car this afternoon to run to the post office and the frigging thing wont start. It chugs up when I turn the key its just wont go the last step and fully start. As far as I know I have a quarter tank of gas left so I dont think I am out of gas. But I am parked in my driveway which is sloped downward with the car head in if that matters at all. I drove the car last night home from work at 10:00 and it started and drove fine. We did have some snow and it has been raining all day since the snow stopped and it is about 40 degrees outside.

It is a 1995 Subaru Impreza if that matters at all.

Thanks,
Anthony
 
Tough to say through the internet....sounds like maybe a bad starter or alternator.

Could be a belt broke or even low on oil.
 
it's almost certainly not that it is low on oil. being low on oil is bad, but it wouldn't turn over if it was *that* low on oil.

When you try to start it does it sound like the motor is turning as fast as normal?
 
[quote name='yourlefthand']it's almost certainly not that it is low on oil. being low on oil is bad, but it wouldn't turn over if it was *that* low on oil.

When you try to start it does it sound like the motor is turning as fast as normal?[/QUOTE]

Yes just not kicking over the last little bit. I almost sounding like it wanted to start but it just would not. I am afraid now I will kill the battery trying to start it so much. And it is in such a bad spot in the driveway I dont know how I would jump it.
 
the fuel pump might not be able to pick the fuel up on a slant. do you hear the fuel pump turn on? turn key to dummy lights come on. be quiet in car and see if u hear a humm come from under the back seat. if it sounds like pump is workin. check for spark. take one spark plug wire off coil on top off engine and have someone crank it while u watch for spark. sounds like u jus need more fuel in your tank or take it off incline. ill check back hope that helped. if the engine is cranking slow get a jump.
 
If you don't know where it is look in manual or google where your starter is. If its the starter and a new problem beat on it with a wrench several times and then try to start it. Seriously... This can keep you alive till you get it fixed sometimes.


Hard to figure it out on the net though.
 
[quote name='$hady']If you don't know where it is look in manual or google where your starter is. If its the starter and a new problem beat on it with a wrench several times and then try to start it. Seriously... This can keep you alive till you get it fixed sometimes.


Hard to figure it out on the net though.[/QUOTE]

that Trick works with the alternator as well


You could even have Vapor lock

could be a clogged fuel line

even though it may show you have gas you may not have gas... your tank reading might be off.. try putting some more gas in it.

or your cars in love with the post office and dont want to leave :)
 
A bad alternator would not mean the car won't start, your battery gauge will show the battery not being charged.

If you car won't start = low battery power, no fuel pressure, bad starter, or faulty ignition.

You can check fuel pressure by locating the fuel line and open the cap and pressing the little pressure switch to see if fuel spits out, bad fuel pump would mean you won't hear the pump start up ( you need pretty good hearing to hear it tho )

Bad starter= even at a battery full charge, when you crank it is a weak spinning sound

Most likely your battery is low. Otherwise also check the crankshaft position sensor
 
apparently when it gets cold, engines have a tendency to retain a lot of water. This could be what's causing it, but it could also be the starter not turning or the alternator as everyone has already said. Our truck recently did the same thing, except we were still in it driving while it happened:hot:
 
[quote name='slidecage']
even though it may show you have gas you may not have gas... your tank reading might be off.. try putting some more gas in it.

or your cars in love with the post office and dont want to leave :)[/QUOTE]

This would be my first guess. In my Subaru and Honda the gauge is off my about 1/4 tank always, on the full side and empty side. I can go 300 miles on the first 1/2 of a tank, then about 70 miles the second 1/2 because it's off so bad.

Those things are pretty much a guesstimate, but if it says under 1/4 of a tank better watch out.
 
[quote name='burritoman']This would be my first guess. In my Subaru and Honda the gauge is off my about 1/4 tank always, on the full side and empty side. I can go 300 miles on the first 1/2 of a tank, then about 70 miles the second 1/2 because it's off so bad.

Those things are pretty much a guesstimate, but if it says under 1/4 of a tank better watch out.[/QUOTE]

also

NEVER UNHOOK The battery with a full tank.. it will SPIN The needle around and break it
 
[quote name='slidecage']also

NEVER UNHOOK The battery with a full tank.. it will SPIN The needle around and break it[/QUOTE]

Wtf are you talking about?
 
Did you try getting some help?

Make sure everyone is lifting from the same side and lifting with their legs to avoid any injury.
 
[quote name='yourlefthand']Wtf are you talking about?[/QUOTE]

You didn't know you have to drain your gas tank every time you fiddle with the battery in some way?

Cars 101.

:wall:
 
[quote name='kodave']You didn't know you have to drain your gas tank every time you fiddle with the battery in some way?

Cars 101.

:wall:[/QUOTE]

Ugh, did I get slidecaged?
 
[quote name='kodave']You didn't know you have to drain your gas tank every time you fiddle with the battery in some way?

Cars 101.

:wall:[/QUOTE]

No no no. You are looking at it the wrong way. It will fill up your gas tank so fast, it breaks the needle.
 
i always disconnected the battery for some reason or another and never knew not to do it on a full tank.. i never had the needle break like that before.. the car im driving now did it... They want 200 bucks to rip the dashboard out to reset the needle ... I told them to hell with that i just fill it up every 100 miles
 
What is this needle you speak of. ;)

ag_civicgx_fuelgauge.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
bread's done
Back
Top