Car starting issues

[Stonestreet]

Hey guys, here's the situation.

I drove from Toronto to Charleston over the last couple days and then all the way up to Tryon, NC without a hitch. Then when we pulled in to check in at the cabin we're staying at the car wouldn't start.

Melissa and I pushed it out to the hill and gave it a bump start and it ran without a problem. I let it run for about twenty minutes and parked it thinking that maybe the battery got enough juice but it won't start again.

I don't have any tools or a multi meter. . .

Any suggestions on what might be wrong?

Thanks in advance guys.

Edit: Is it possible at all that I just didn't let the car run long enough?

[allaircooled]

You are going to have to tell us what car and what engine.

[allaircooled]

I had a similar problem and it was the transmission ground strap.

[Stonestreet]

Originally Posted by allaircooled

You are going to have to tell us what car and what engine.

Sorry, duh. I'm just in a state because Melissa wanted to take the Altima and I said no. HA!!

Anyway, it's an '88 Carrera coupe. I even ordered a new DME to have a spare but I didn't have time to grab it before leaving Toronto. I really hope its not the DME.

[allaircooled]

Will the engine crank over at all and just not start?

[Stonestreet]

No, it's not doing anything. I think I heard the fuel pump, which makes me think that the battery didn't charge enough in the 20 minutes I let it idle? But it still doesn't make much sense because it only had the phone charger in the lighter between when it was running and when it didn't start. Is the phone charger in the lighter a no-no?

[Stonestreet]

I can't believe I didn't bring my little kit of tools on this trip. . .

[allaircooled]

I am not too familiar with your year car but I wouldn't think a phone charger would hurt anything. What I am thinking is I had a similar experience as yours. 2 different experiences actually. First time the starter wouldn't turn but I could bump start it, it turned out the transmission ground strap was bad. The 2nd time this happened to me, the starter would get heat soaked and not want to work when hot. I would have to let it cool and it would turn over again. The fix was a new starter. Those are just some ideas from my experience. I hope some of the experts here will chime in soon to help.

[pors1968]

Ground starp seen a good call.Buy cheap jumper cable and make ground engine to body if your are on road.

[kidrock]

old solenoid, bad grounds, or bad connection of yellow (solenoid) wire between ignition switch and starter. Aftermarket alarm systems are notorious.

Bump starts and jump starts will occasionally be necessary until you get it figured out. You can also get under the car and tap the solenoid with a tool to get it started...be careful not to touch the wires to the starter!!

Also: I've had past luck by using my alternator wrench to turn the motor to a point of low compression stroke, which seemed to make it easier for the starter to turn over. I later found out that the old aftermarket alarm system (and some very crappy wiring) were the culprits, which robbed the starter from receiving the full charge it needed to turn the beast over.

Good luck.

[boyt911sc]

Originally Posted by Stonestreet

No, it's not doing anything. I think I heard the fuel pump, which makes me think that the battery didn't charge enough in the 20 minutes I let it idle? But it still doesn't make much sense because it only had the phone charger in the lighter between when it was running and when it didn't start. Is the phone charger in the lighter a no-no?

Stonestreet,

Are you a member of AAA? Have the battery checked and if needed have it charged for several hours till it is fully charged. Test the residual voltage on the battery before charging so you'll have an idea of the current condition of the battery.

It is Good Friday and most shops would be closed by now. There are Pelican parts members almost every where and could give you assistance if you need one. Post your location and where to contact you. Help may be just around the corner if you get lucky. Stay safe.

Tony

[Stonestreet]

Originally Posted by kidrock

old solenoid, bad grounds, or bad connection of yellow (solenoid) wire between ignition switch and starter. Aftermarket alarm systems are notorious.

Bump starts and jump starts will occasionally be necessary until you get it figured out. You can also get under the car and tap the solenoid with a tool to get it started...be careful not to touch the wires to the starter!!

Also: I've had past luck by using my alternator wrench to turn the motor to a point of low compression stroke, which seemed to make it easier for the starter to turn over. I later found out that the old aftermarket alarm system (and some very crappy wiring) were the culprits, which robbed the starter from receiving the full charge it needed to turn the beast over.

Good luck.

Funny that you mentioned the aftermarket alarm system. I just had a bunch of wiring taken out from one. Also have a new turn signal stalk because the alarm was hooked up to the lights. My wiring is back to stock as of two weeks ago.

[mreid]

How can you guys even begin to troubleshoot without a more specific description? Why do we have to detective out the specifics?

Saying it won't start means nothing. Does it crank at all? Does it crank slowly? Does it crank normally, but not start? We need specifics!

BTW, you have a bad ignition switch.

[timmy2]

Obviously it's the alternator not charging...
I can tell from the precise description of how it isn't starting...


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[Stonestreet]

Originally Posted by boyt911sc

Stonestreet,

Are you a member of AAA? Have the battery checked and if needed have it charged for several hours till it is fully charged. Test the residual voltage on the battery before charging so you'll have an idea of the current condition of the battery.

It is Good Friday and most shops would be close by now. There are Pelican parts members almost every where and could give you assistance if you need one. Post your location and where to contact you. Help may be just around the corner if you get lucky. Stay safe.

Tony

Thanks Tony,

I have CAA (from Canada) and I think the two of them work together.

We're staying at the Pine Crest Inn in Tryon, NC

My cell number is 416-720-5856

Cheers,

Marc

[Stonestreet]

Originally Posted by mreid

How can you guys even begin to troubleshoot without a more specific description? Why do we have to detective out the specifics?

Saying it won't start means nothing. Does it crank at all? Does it crank slowly? Does it crank normally, but not start? We need specifics!

BTW, you have a bad ignition switch.

No, it's not cranking. The accessories work. It's pissing rain at the moment but I heard the fuel pump last time I tried to start it. I suppose tomorrow I'll bump start it and run it around, stop at an auto parts store and pick up a multi meter to see what the battery says.

The reason you might need to detective some stuff out is because I'm a total noob and I don't know what is relevant. I apologize if these are things that are gone over all the time but I thought the fact that the car had been run so heavily in the last couple days might introduce something unique to the situation.

Anyway, thanks again all for the attention and help.

Cheers,

Marc

[timmy2]

Can you hear a click or rapid clicking from the starter solenoid when you try to start it?

[Stonestreet]

Originally Posted by timmy2

Can you hear a click or rapid clicking from the starter solenoid when you try to start it?

Nope, and though it's raining, I don't think I heard the fuel pump. Tomorrow morning I'll take out the DME and bend the pins before putting it back in?

[madmmac]

Is your key actually engaging into the start position and you can feel it spring back to the left when released?

If not, you are not actually engaging the starter. Some WD-40 and working the key in and out, on and off may do it.

[mreid]

Originally Posted by Stonestreet

No, it's not cranking. The accessories work. It's pissing rain at the moment but I heard the fuel pump last time I tried to start it. I suppose tomorrow I'll bump start it and run it around, stop at an auto parts store and pick up a multi meter to see what the battery says.

The reason you might need to detective some stuff out is because I'm a total noob and I don't know what is relevant. I apologize if these are things that are gone over all the time but I thought the fact that the car had been run so heavily in the last couple days might introduce something unique to the situation.

Anyway, thanks again all for the attention and help.

Cheers,

Marc

Okay, Marc, so I apologize for my margarita infused rant.

You still have a bad ignition switch.