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YACT: Car won't start.... its not the battery... it sounds like its almost gonna start but... no, help please!

T

TheGizmo

Diamond Member
Well, my trusty old 96 Lexus ES300 crapped out on me this afternoon, over the past few days it stalled like two times while driving it (around 25 mph, if the RPM's went over 2500 it would crap out on me)... but that only happened a few times, and the next day it seemed to be running great. Well, today I try to start it and it just doesn't turn over at all.. I assume its the battery, so I hook up some jumper cables and no go... then I even disconnected the battery terminals and connected the other car's battery via jumper cable direct to my terminals... still no go. Now it sounds like its just about to turn over but it doesn't.. thats why I think its not the starter either.. but then again it could be the starter on its way to crap out so who knows. I'm no car expert, but I figured the alternator was to charge the battery and probably has nothing to do with the issue since it won't even start with jumper cables.... damn this sucks, any suggestions before I have it towed to a mechanic who will probably rip me off and tell me something is wrong that isn't. Thanks so much in advance.
 
when was the last time the fuel filter was changed? when was the last time the fuel injectors were cleaned?

my non-mechanic guess is that the fuel ain't gettin to where it needs to be
 
Does it have spark?

Sounds like it doesn't...

EDIT: does it turn over? Your OP is somewhat confusing when compared to your title...

EDIT: and the low speed stall problems sound like the problems i had when my high-tension cable connector was really dirty= basically no spark. Also happened when the distributor vibrated loose on teh gravel...
 
If the engine isn't cranking over all all then it's not fuel related.

The fact that you are saying that it died on you 2 other times isn't all that good either, as that tells me that the starter isn't the problem

. My guess: the ground cable from the engine to the chasis of the car is rusted/corroded to the point that the engine is no longer in an electrical loop. Check the engione ground cable and make sure that the cable itself is free of corrosion at the terminals and that it isn't broken.
 
Does it turn over is still the question, since i can't see how it can 'sound like' it's about to start, but not turnover....
 
turn on your lights, are they dimm?

can you hear the fuel filter turn on?

if it almost starts then it might be the fuel filter not sending to the motor
 
Originally posted by: krunchykrome
Alternator sized chunk of meat
Click to expand...

wait so you think its the alternator?


Originally posted by: FoBoT
when was the last time the fuel filter was changed? when was the last time the fuel injectors were cleaned?

my non-mechanic guess is that the fuel ain't gettin to where it needs to be
Click to expand...

This is what I was thinking when the car stalled out over the past two days... I put that fuel injector cleaner stuff in my gas tank like 6 months ago for the first time ever... so its been a while I guess.
 
Originally posted by: dug777
Does it have spark?

Sounds like it doesn't...

EDIT: does it turn over? Your OP is somewhat confusing when compared to your title...

EDIT: and the low speed stall problems sound like the problems i had when my high-tension cable connector was really dirty= basically no spark. Also happened when the distributor vibrated loose on teh gravel...
Click to expand...

How do I tell if it has a spark? It doesn't turn over but it does sound like its just about to (ie.. chugchugcchug (enging should start now)... but it just keeps chugchugchuging cough choke.

Hign tension cable connector.... where would this be located near? Maybe i could give it a quick wipe.
 
Originally posted by: Modular
If the engine isn't cranking over all all then it's not fuel related.

The fact that you are saying that it died on you 2 other times isn't all that good either, as that tells me that the starter isn't the problem

. My guess: the ground cable from the engine to the chasis of the car is rusted/corroded to the point that the engine is no longer in an electrical loop. Check the engione ground cable and make sure that the cable itself is free of corrosion at the terminals and that it isn't broken.
Click to expand...

I cleaned the ground terminal that goes to my battery with baking soda.. took all the corrosion off so I figure its good. And my headlights turn on when its connected but not when the battery isn't connected so I'm thinking that the cable/terminal is good
 
Originally posted by: j00fek
turn on your lights, are they dimm?

can you hear the fuel filter turn on?

if it almost starts then it might be the fuel filter not sending to the motor
Click to expand...

no the headlights aren't dimm. I dont know what a fuel filter turning on sounds like so I'm not sure if I heard it do its thing. Is there an easy way to check out the fuel filter? Thanks
 
Originally posted by: TheGizmo
Originally posted by: dug777
Does it have spark?

Sounds like it doesn't...

EDIT: does it turn over? Your OP is somewhat confusing when compared to your title...

EDIT: and the low speed stall problems sound like the problems i had when my high-tension cable connector was really dirty= basically no spark. Also happened when the distributor vibrated loose on teh gravel...
Click to expand...

How do I tell if it has a spark? It doesn't turn over but it does sound like its just about to (ie.. chugchugcchug (enging should start now)... but it just keeps chugchugchuging cough choke.

Hign tension cable connector.... where would this be located near? Maybe i could give it a quick wipe.
Click to expand...

That is turning over 😉

It's just not firing.

You can tell if it has a spark by disconnecting a spark plug lead (with the ignition OFF and the key out 😉, baring the metal bit, then placing it a very short distance away from any bared metal (ideally the engine block) Get someone to now crank the ignition, while someone watches to see if a spark jumps to the block from the spark plug lead.. if it doesn't..no spark 😉 Don't touch the block or any metal while you do this 😉

Start with that i suggest.

If no spark, either your distributor coil is rooted, or there's a faulty/dirty connection somwhere....
 
Originally posted by: TheGizmo
Originally posted by: krunchykrome
Originally posted by: TheGizmo
Originally posted by: krunchykrome
Alternator sized chunk of meat
Click to expand...

wait so you think its the alternator?


Yes.
Click to expand...

sorry to bug you, but could you tell me in a quick statement what exactly an alternator does besides charge the battery? thanks
Click to expand...


Your not bugging me. To answer your question, I am not car mechanics expert. But from your description, it sounds similar to a problem I had with my car a few years ago. I took it to the mechanic, and they said it was the alternator. They put in a new one, and my car was back to normal. Sorry I cant be more technical or give you more insight.
Click to expand...
 
I think he meant fuel pump, not filter

Possible fuel flow problems

1. fuel pump dying
2. fuel pump fuse
3. clogged fuel filter
4. crimped fuel line
 
Originally posted by: GuitarDaddy
I think he meant fuel pump, not filter

Possible fuel flow problems

1. fuel pump dying
2. fuel pump fuse
3. clogged fuel filter
4. crimped fuel line
Click to expand...

In this kinda situation, i'd always start with isolating the easist culprit, in this case, is there spark 😉 If there is, those things become good options...
 
Originally posted by: dug777
Originally posted by: TheGizmo
Originally posted by: dug777
Does it have spark?

Sounds like it doesn't...

EDIT: does it turn over? Your OP is somewhat confusing when compared to your title...

EDIT: and the low speed stall problems sound like the problems i had when my high-tension cable connector was really dirty= basically no spark. Also happened when the distributor vibrated loose on teh gravel...
Click to expand...

How do I tell if it has a spark? It doesn't turn over but it does sound like its just about to (ie.. chugchugcchug (enging should start now)... but it just keeps chugchugchuging cough choke.

Hign tension cable connector.... where would this be located near? Maybe i could give it a quick wipe.
Click to expand...

That is turning over 😉

It's just not firing.

You can tell if it has a spark by disconnecting a spark plug lead (with the ignition OFF and the key out 😉, baring the metal bit, then placing it a very short distance away from any bared metal (ideally the engine block) Get someone to now crank the ignition, while someone watches to see if a spark jumps to the block from the spark plug lead.. if it doesn't..no spark 😉 Don't touch the block or any metal while you do this 😉

Start with that i suggest.

If no spark, either your distributor coil is rooted, or there's a faulty/dirty connection somwhere....
Click to expand...

Thanks for the write-up, I'm going to play with that spark plug lead now.. hopefully I can find it easy enough 😛 Maybe i ought just take it to someone who knows what they are doing LOL... oh well no harm in testing a little on my own while its broken anyway.
 
This is a little out there but I had a similar problem that was determined to not be starter/battery/alternator. Have you tried pumping the gas? I know it is a fuel injection vehicle but so was mine. I never did get the root cause fixed because I got rid of the vehicle shortly after but pumping the gas actually worked for me.
 
Originally posted by: TheGizmo
Originally posted by: dug777
Originally posted by: TheGizmo
Originally posted by: dug777
Does it have spark?

Sounds like it doesn't...

EDIT: does it turn over? Your OP is somewhat confusing when compared to your title...

EDIT: and the low speed stall problems sound like the problems i had when my high-tension cable connector was really dirty= basically no spark. Also happened when the distributor vibrated loose on teh gravel...
Click to expand...

How do I tell if it has a spark? It doesn't turn over but it does sound like its just about to (ie.. chugchugcchug (enging should start now)... but it just keeps chugchugchuging cough choke.

Hign tension cable connector.... where would this be located near? Maybe i could give it a quick wipe.
Click to expand...

That is turning over 😉

It's just not firing.

You can tell if it has a spark by disconnecting a spark plug lead (with the ignition OFF and the key out 😉, baring the metal bit, then placing it a very short distance away from any bared metal (ideally the engine block) Get someone to now crank the ignition, while someone watches to see if a spark jumps to the block from the spark plug lead.. if it doesn't..no spark 😉 Don't touch the block or any metal while you do this 😉

Start with that i suggest.

If no spark, either your distributor coil is rooted, or there's a faulty/dirty connection somwhere....
Click to expand...

Thanks for the write-up, I'm going to play with that spark plug lead now.. hopefully I can find it easy enough 😛 Maybe i ought just take it to someone who knows what they are doing LOL... oh well no harm in testing a little on my own while its broken anyway.
Click to expand...

You'll need a mate to either turn the ignition, or watch the spark 😉

The leads usually in my exp just kinda pop-off the spark plug, and to put them back on you just give them a firm push until they click back on...
 
Originally posted by: dug777
Originally posted by: TheGizmo
Originally posted by: dug777
Originally posted by: TheGizmo
Originally posted by: dug777
Does it have spark?

Sounds like it doesn't...

EDIT: does it turn over? Your OP is somewhat confusing when compared to your title...

EDIT: and the low speed stall problems sound like the problems i had when my high-tension cable connector was really dirty= basically no spark. Also happened when the distributor vibrated loose on teh gravel...
Click to expand...

How do I tell if it has a spark? It doesn't turn over but it does sound like its just about to (ie.. chugchugcchug (enging should start now)... but it just keeps chugchugchuging cough choke.

Hign tension cable connector.... where would this be located near? Maybe i could give it a quick wipe.
Click to expand...

That is turning over 😉

It's just not firing.

You can tell if it has a spark by disconnecting a spark plug lead (with the ignition OFF and the key out 😉, baring the metal bit, then placing it a very short distance away from any bared metal (ideally the engine block) Get someone to now crank the ignition, while someone watches to see if a spark jumps to the block from the spark plug lead.. if it doesn't..no spark 😉 Don't touch the block or any metal while you do this 😉

Start with that i suggest.

If no spark, either your distributor coil is rooted, or there's a faulty/dirty connection somwhere....
Click to expand...

Thanks for the write-up, I'm going to play with that spark plug lead now.. hopefully I can find it easy enough 😛 Maybe i ought just take it to someone who knows what they are doing LOL... oh well no harm in testing a little on my own while its broken anyway.
Click to expand...

You'll need a mate to either turn the ignition, or watch the spark 😉

The leads usually in my exp just kinda pop-off the spark plug, and to put them back on you just give them a firm push until they click back on...
Click to expand...


It could also be fouled plugs.
 
If you have a plug socket handy, the safest way to test spark is to pull the plug, hook the wire to it, and touch the plug body to ground. dug's way is more fun tho, so long as you are not the one trying to set up the arc😛
 
Originally posted by: skyking
If you have a plug socket handy, the safest way to test spark is to pull the plug, hook the wire to it, and touch the plug body to ground. dug's way is more fun tho, so long as you are not the one trying to set up the arc😛
Click to expand...

😉

That's why i made it very clear no one should me touching any metal...although i can't imagine it would give you that much of a jolt would it? I've never been stupid enough to try...

 
Originally posted by: dug777
Originally posted by: skyking
If you have a plug socket handy, the safest way to test spark is to pull the plug, hook the wire to it, and touch the plug body to ground. dug's way is more fun tho, so long as you are not the one trying to set up the arc😛
Click to expand...

😉

That's why i made it very clear no one should me touching any metal...although i can't imagine it would give you that much of a jolt would it? I've never been stupid enough to try...
Click to expand...
Are you kidding? HEI will give you a small religious experience😛
 
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