What to do with car that won't start....:(

[FearoftheNight]

My car won't start. Its down stairs in the parking lot. Already spent 30 minutes trying to jump it and it still wouldn't start. The battery is also relatively new so I'm pretty sure thats not it. What do I do now? =*( Call AAA and try to get it towed to a repair shop?

Edit: I forgot to mention the engine check light came on about 2 days ago. Didn't have a chance to take it to shop to get it looked at. This is my first car and this is the first time its had a serious problem like this which is why i'm not sure how to handle this problem.

1995 Nissan Maxima GXE
~113k miles
Won't start. Key goes in. All the lights come on on the dash. Radio can still be turned on. When I try to start it i was a little "gah gah gah" sound and then a click. Nothing else happens.

 

[Heisenberg]

If you can't fix it yourself I think about your only option is to have it towed to a shop.

 

My toaster won't toast, what do I do?

 

[Platypus]

My leg fell off, who should I call?

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Did you run it out of gas.

 

[FearoftheNight]

Originally posted by: galvanizedyankee
Did you run it out of gas.

Errr no....just filled it to a full tank the day before.

 

[Freaknificent]

has it been raining or something where you're at? it could be moisture under the distributor cap

 

[KGB1]

We'll have to start by removing the back left tire, then remove anything you have in the trunk. Now try to start up the car, if it does not work, look into a new water pump and starter...


PLEASE before you describe your car problem... LIST WHAT MODEL and YEAR your car is....It's like diagnosing a white swedish male with sickle cell...

 

[TechnoKid]

Is it cranking? Just not turning over? Could be a fuel problem. Many thngs could be the culprit.

 

[FearoftheNight]

Well I'm not that experienced with cars and stuff this is my first real car prob.

 

[DanTMWTMP]

so like what kgb said...car model? pics? type of sound it makes? (some fail starts have distinct tapping noises....)...what's it sound like when it starts?

i'm a car n00b, but at least i can learn myself what the problem is after u've explained what the problem is more thouroughly and see what others' replies are...

 

[FearoftheNight]

ok details up.

 

[TechnoKid]

Sounds like a failed starter

 

[Heisenberg]

Sounds like either a weak battery, or starter/solenoid problem.

 

[bmacd]

find a friend with an OBD scanner and find out what the CEL is for. Just b/c you think the battery is good, don't rule it out as a problem. My bet is that it has something to do with that CEL.

-=bmacd=-

 

From your new description, it sounds like a starter.

 

[FearoftheNight]

If it is a starter solenoid problem. How/what do i do now?

 

[FearoftheNight]

Originally posted by: bmacd
find a friend with an OBD scanner and find out what the CEL is for. Just b/c you think the battery is good, don't rule it out as a problem. My bet is that it has something to do with that CEL.

-=bmacd=-

Sorry. What is OBD scanner? ANd what is CEL? Also I urgently need to car for everyday use and I doubt any of my friends here at college would have whatever it is. =|

 

[Heisenberg]

Originally posted by: FearoftheNight
If it is a starter solenoid problem. How/what do i do now?

Can you pull the starter off and replace it? Otherwise, tow it to a shop.
Edit: If the CEL came on 2 days ago, I'm guessing it's probably a charging/electrical system problem.

 

[Turin39789]

Originally posted by: FearoftheNight
If it is a starter solenoid problem. How/what do i do now?

from the tone of your posts, I've decided you should...............


Take it to a shop

 

[DumbGuy]

If you're have a Maxima you could find out how to check your Service Engine light here
When you finish and you get the codes, you have to go to this page to find out what the real problem is.

I've done it, and it's no hassle at all, just a bit uncomfortable

 

[DumbGuy]

If you're have a Maxima you could find out how to check your Service Engine light here
When you finish and you get the codes, you have to go to this page to find out what the real problem is.

I've done it, and it's no hassle at all, just a bit uncomfortable

 

[white]

make sure it's not your anti-theft system first. my parents have a gle that same year and when they use the key fob it sometimes won't let them start the car even though the alarm isn't going off. my dad's solution was to stop using the keyfob and the problems went away.

 

[Sluggo]

What to do with car that won't start....

Try this

 

[Kaieye]

If it is a stick shift, can you compression start it ??