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Why won't my car start? {updated 9-22-02}

Y

Yzzim

Lifer
I just got a '97 Grand Am 2.4L 4 cylinder about a week ago and sometimes the car has a problem starting. I try to start it and it turns and turns and turns but just doesn't start. I suppose I let it turn about 5 times, then let it rest for 5 seconds, then try it again, let it rest, then finally it starts.
It doesn't happen all the time, probably twice every 3 days. Seems like when I have the problem once I'll have it again that same day.

The starter sounds fine (like i said, it turns and turns) and the batter seems fine as well. Any idea what the problem is? I'm no nothing about cars 😱

Edit: UPDATE #2

My dad and I took off the old fuel filter but couldn't get the new one back on. Turns out when we cut the fuel line (there was no way to get the fuel line off the fuel filter without cutting it) we cut it too short. We asked a mechanic about it and he said there was a special tool we needed to use to get the old filter off, DOH!

Soo....we went to the local GM dealer and ask them what we needed to fix it. They said we have to buy a new fuel pump, fuel filter, and fuel regulator totaling $325 :Q:Q:Q:Q:Q:Q That doesn't include labor to put the stuff back on! The GM dealer suggested we go to a salvage yard and see what we could find. We found the fuel pump, filter, and regulator for $75 so we're going to get it tomorrow.

To top it all off this might not even fix my starting problem. The mechanic we talked to looked at the fuel filter and said that it was fine. Hopefully the fuel pump or regulator is causing the problem then.... :frown:




--------------------------------------

UPDATE

Ok, there seems to be no gas leaking.

It seems that the probably gets gradually worse.

For example, the car starts fine 4 times in a row, then on the 5th time it takes a little more turns to start, then the 6th time it takes a little more, and on the 7th time I have to turn it over again and again for it to start.

Finally like the 8th time it seems like there's nothing wrong.

Then the process happens all over again.

Any ideas?
 
How much gas is in your tank? Sometimes the car needs to pressurize the fuel system, the fuel pump does run a lil before you "start" the car in the on position...when fuel is low in the tank, the pump may be a bit starving if that makes any sense. This has been my exp with mah bros civic sometimes...

Thats all I can think of right now...if you take it to a shop, they'll probably make you pay more than you need to. There's enough of us car nuts on this forum to help you out.

-Chris
 
I had just about a full tank of gas in the car, so I don't think that's the problem. Thanks for the help though

Hope someone can give me a clue as to what it might be
 
I'm not really sure what it could be. Could be a sensor or something. Sounds like something in the ignition.

Sorry I'm not much help.

Will
 
Originally posted by: Willoughbyva
I'm not really sure what it could be. Could be a sensor or something. Sounds like something in the ignition.

Sorry I'm not much help.

Will
Click to expand...

Could it possibly be the celenoid (sp? whatever that is)? I asked a friend who says he knows a lot about cars but actually doesn't, and that's what he said.

Just an idea 😕
 
Originally posted by: Yzzim
I just got a '97 Grand Am 2.4L 4 cylinder about a week ago and sometimes the car has a problem starting. I try to start it and it turns and turns and turns but just doesn't start. I suppose I let it turn about 5 times, then let it rest for 5 seconds, then try it again, let it rest, then finally it starts.
It doesn't happen all the time, probably twice every 3 days. Seems like when I have the problem once I'll have it again that same day.

The starter sounds fine (like i said, it turns and turns) and the batter seems fine as well. Any idea what the problem is? I'm no nothing about cars 😱
Click to expand...

I'm no nothing about cars. Hmm, add grammar to the list 😛

Hmm...fuel filter or weak battery perhaps?

-PAB
 
I'm no nothing about cars. Hmm, add grammar to the list 😛
Click to expand...

hehe 😱

Hmm...fuel filter or weak battery perhaps?
Click to expand...

If it was a weak battery would the car even turn over? Thought the battery was used just to get the starter going, then the starter started (duh) the car.

😕
 
Could it possibly be the celenoid (sp? whatever that is)? I asked a friend who says he knows a lot about cars but actually doesn't, and that's what he said.
Click to expand...
I assume your friend meant 'solenoid', but if the engine is turning over, then that is not your problem. I can explain further if you like, but that won't get your car started.
Thought the battery was used just to get the starter going, then the starter started (duh) the car.
Click to expand...
You are correct.

After it starts, does it run OK?
Check/clean/replace the fuel filter like PAB said.
It doesn't sound too serious if the car starts and runs OK most of the time.
How many miles on the car, and do you have any service records?
 
Your friend knows nothing.😀 The solenoid is basically just a switch. If your starter is turning the engine, your solenoid is fine.
Does this by chance only happen on rainy days, or just after a rain?

It is also very possible that this is a fuel delivery problem. Technokid and PsychoAndy are on the right track for that.
The first thing you do is park it overnight on a patch of concrete that has no stains (recent ones anyway) and look underneath it for a wet spot the next morning. You may have a fuel leak that is letting all the gas in the fuel line leak back, which means the line has to repressurize(sp?) before the car will start. If you don't have a leak, change the fuel filter. (It never hurts anyway. Besides, they're cheap.)If neither of those things help...well...it get's a little more complicated from there.

Keep us informed, we can figure this out.
😀
 
I think TechnoKid is on the right track. It sounds like a fuel pressure problem. Just not from a lack of fuel.
 
Originally posted by: Cyberian
Could it possibly be the celenoid (sp? whatever that is)? I asked a friend who says he knows a lot about cars but actually doesn't, and that's what he said.
Click to expand...
I assume your friend meant 'solenoid', but if the engine is turning over, then that is not your problem. I can explain further if you like, but that won't get your car started.
Thought the battery was used just to get the starter going, then the starter started (duh) the car.
Click to expand...
You are correct.

After it starts, does it run OK?
Check/clean/replace the fuel filter like PAB said.
It doesn't sound too serious if the car starts and runs OK most of the time.
How many miles on the car, and do you have any service records?
Click to expand...

After it starts it seems to run fine. When I first start the car and switch it into gear then start moving and turning the wheel I hear a weird noise behind the dash, but I think that problem is unrelated since it's only for a split second. Other than that problem though the car runs perfectly fine.

There's 76,000 miles on the car and there are some service records with it. I haven't looked at them to see what was done though.
 
Originally posted by: freakflag
Your friend knows nothing.😀 The solenoid is basically just a switch. If your starter is turning the engine, your solenoid is fine.
Does this by chance only happen on rainy days, or just after a rain?
Click to expand...
Not that I can recall. The first time I had the problem it didn't/wasn't raining. The second time (today) it did rain the night before.

It is also very possible that this is a fuel delivery problem. Technokid and PsychoAndy are on the right track for that.
The first thing you do is park it overnight on a patch of concrete that has no stains (recent ones anyway) and look underneath it for a wet spot the next morning. You may have a fuel leak that is letting all the gas in the fuel line leak back, which means the line has to repressurize(sp?) before the car will start. If you don't have a leak, change the fuel filter. (It never hurts anyway. Besides, they're cheap.)If neither of those things help...well...it get's a little more complicated from there.

Keep us informed, we can figure this out.
😀
Click to expand...

Thanks bud 🙂 I'll go park it on the concrete right now and see what turns up tomorrow morning.

 
Originally posted by: Radeon
Could also be a dying alternator... GM cars eat those things :\

Good luck with it.
Click to expand...
Wouldn't a bad alternator screw up the battery - overcharge or undercharge?

 
I have a similar problem...on hot days it is a no go.....I try for a few times and nothing..starter and Battery are fine...


I come back 10minutes later and starts like a dream...


Been told it is some relay or something...frankly I didn't get a very good explanation
rolleye.gif
 
Say, wouldn't the gas evaporate before I'd be able to see anything in the morning? Unless it's a huge leak I don't think I'd be able to see anything.
 
It may evaporate (if it's a hot night) but it'll leave a stain.
BTW, if you do see something,don't forget to see if you can tell where it's coming from BEFORE you move the car.😀 (J/K)
 
Sounds like she's headed for the shop for diagnosis. Our van did that about 3 years ago. Turned out the voltage to the ignition was low or missing due to a corroded relay. I couldn't find the problem, so it was towed to our mechanic. These new FI engines get great mileage, but you can't troubleshoot 'em very easily.
 
Do you see white smoke from the xhaust when it finally starts?
IF Yes THEN 'You have water vapour in the cylinder' ---> Broken head gasket or intake manifold gasket ---> $$$$ OR Hard work.
ENDIF
 
Originally posted by: FrustratedUser
Do you see white smoke from the xhaust when it finally starts?
IF Yes THEN 'You have water vapour in the cylinder' ---> Broken head gasket or intake manifold gasket ---> $$$$ OR Hard work.
ENDIF
Click to expand...

I've never looked, but you'd think that when I started backing up that I'd be able to smell it.

I sure hope that's not the case 🙁
 
Ok, there seems to be no gas leaking.

It seems that the probably gets gradually worse.

For example, the car starts fine 4 times in a row, then on the 5th time it takes a little more turns to start, then the 6th time it takes a little more, and on the 7th time I have to turn it over again and again for it to start.

Finally like the 8th time it seems like there's nothing wrong.

Then the process happens all over again.

Any ideas?
 
Originally posted by: Yzzim
Ok, there seems to be no gas leaking.

It seems that the probably gets gradually worse.

For example, the car starts fine 4 times in a row, then on the 5th time it takes a little more turns to start, then the 6th time it takes a little more, and on the 7th time I have to turn it over again and again for it to start.

Finally like the 8th time it seems like there's nothing wrong.

Then the process happens all over again.

Any ideas?
Click to expand...


Fuel delivery problem. The Fuel pump is electric, and ojnly turns on when the ignition is on. When you start it up in the morning, the fuel pressure is actually coming from the pretture in the lines from the night before. Your pump is marginal, or there is an ubstruction in the lines. It gets progressively hardter to start because the pressure is bleeding down, and on the long stqart cycle, it comes back because of the time you are cranking it. Then it starts all over.

I see a few things that can cause this. In order of probability.

#1 Marginal Fuel Pump. Not delevering enough pressure and volume. Only way to find out is to have the fuel volume and pressure checked at a shop.

#2 Clogged fuel filter or clogged fuel pickup. Just replace the filter for fun. It is cheap anyway, unless it is integral with the fuel pump in the tank.

#3 Bent or clogged fuel lines. Both pretty unlikely if the car runs fine normally, but startup is the most fuel intensive period, so it could be.


Then of course, I could be totaly wrong, and it could be something electrical, but with the symptoms you listed I am leaning towards a fuel delivery system problem.

Please deposit $5 in my "Evadman Diagnosis Fund" To help me buy some more DC parts 🙂
 
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