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YACT: any auto mechanics?

P

PlatinumGold

Lifer
but no spark. i don't hear the engine catching.

will just replacing the spark plugs be sufficient?

Update

Originally posted by: gsellis
An easy fix on a fuel check is to open the gas cap. In changing temp/barometric instances, you can get a vapor lock that prevents fuel flow.
Click to expand...

i think this is what it was.

because 3 or 4 times attempted starts did nothing but turn the engine with no spark.

i left it, came in here posted my OP, went back out and VOILA the mf starts on first key turn. 🙁

i've driven several places since with no issues.

a couple of days ago i noticed it idling rough, that's gone too. weird.

must have been something in the fuel lines.


 
3 basic elements for a car to start:

1. Fuel
2. Air
3. Spark

a. The starter is turning - so you can eliminate that, and you can also eliminate the battery (as you have already done).
b. Check the fuel pump fuse. If the fuse is good, you still need to make sure you are actually getting fuel to the cylinders.
c. How old is the vehicle (do you have a distributor or ignition coils) (year, make and model would be useful).

Did this just happen all of a sudden? (i.e. any wierd behavior prior to this no-start conditon).
 
If the motor's turning, then there's either a spark problem or a fuel problem. I doubt replacing the spark plugs will fix it.
 
Originally posted by: blackdogdeek
would the engine turn if the alternator was bad? i didn't think it would.
Click to expand...

Alternator doesn't affect starting - it keeps the battery charged and provides all the DC power to run the accessories. Only the battery power is used to crank the starter and get the engine running.

Since his car is cranking, it means the battery is good (enough) - which implies the alternator is ok (since it was able to keep the battery charged when the car was running).
 
Originally posted by: njmodi
Originally posted by: blackdogdeek
would the engine turn if the alternator was bad? i didn't think it would.
Click to expand...

Alternator doesn't affect starting - it keeps the battery charged and provides all the DC power to run the accessories. Only the battery power is used to crank the starter and get the engine running.

Since his car is cranking, it means the battery is good (enough) - which implies the alternator is ok (since it was able to keep the battery charged when the car was running).
Click to expand...

cool, that's what i thought. 🙂
 
An easy fix on a fuel check is to open the gas cap. In changing temp/barometric instances, you can get a vapor lock that prevents fuel flow.
 
Oh, and how do you know there is no spark? Did you pull a plug and see? It could be a distributor/ignition issue (depending on make/model/year)
 
Originally posted by: gsellis
An easy fix on a fuel check is to open the gas cap. In changing temp/barometric instances, you can get a vapor lock that prevents fuel flow.
Click to expand...

i think this is what it was.

because 3 or 4 times attempted starts did nothing but turn the engine with no spark.

i left it, came in here posted my OP, went back out and VOILA the mf starts on first key turn. 🙁

i've driven several places since with no issues.

a couple of days ago i noticed it idling rough, that's gone too. weird.

must have been something in the fuel lines.

 
the fuel pressure probably wasnt right. If that happens again, try pumping the gas pedal and then restart the car.
 
Originally posted by: PlatinumGold
Originally posted by: shuan24
the fuel pressure probably wasnt right. If that happens again, try pumping the gas pedal and then restart the car.
Click to expand...

i was once told with fuel injected cars not to pump the gas.
Click to expand...

it really doesn't do much i dont believe

with a carb'd car you're pumping gas into the engine... rich... like a choke sort of


but with fi .. nothing
 
Originally posted by: armatron
Originally posted by: PlatinumGold
Originally posted by: shuan24
the fuel pressure probably wasnt right. If that happens again, try pumping the gas pedal and then restart the car.
Click to expand...

i was once told with fuel injected cars not to pump the gas.
Click to expand...

it really doesn't do much i dont believe

with a carb'd car you're pumping gas into the engine... rich... like a choke sort of


but with fi .. nothing
Click to expand...
Most fuel injection programming will stop the injector from opening if the throttle angle exceeds 75% and the engine rpm is less than 1000. Other than that changing the throttle angle while cranking will cause a slightly increase in the amount of fuel injected but usually not enough to cause engine flooding.
 
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