YACT: car won't start

[gotsmack]

1988 760 turbo, Volvo. 88K miles on it.

Battery is ok, The headlights are strong. It just won't start.

makes half a sputtering noise when I turn the key and thats it.

I want to take it to the mechanic to get it checked out, but I have to be able to drive it there first.

Its been sitting in the garage for 15 days. It started up fine last time I drove it, 15 days ago.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Zysoclaplem]

Have gas?

 

[gotsmack]

yea, I put in gas every 200 miles.

 

[shuan24]

pump the gas pedal. Since its been sitting there for so long the fuel line probably lost the fuel pressure.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Half sputtering? As in the engine acts as it is catching, or just the starter whirs? Pull the starter and take it to parts store and have them test it.

 

[Pepsi90919]

Originally posted by: shuan24
pump the gas pedal. Since its been sitting there for so long the fuel line probably lost the fuel pressure.

please exit this thread.

 

[iamwiz82]

Just because the battery have enough juice to power the headlights does not mean it can power the starter, which requires a lot to turn the flywheel.

 

[maddogchen]

Did you try tightening the connections to the battery?

 

[91TTZ]

I still think your battery is dead. Headlights take next to nothing compared to the amount of current that the starter motor takes. Get it jumpstarted.

 

[gotsmack]

its fairly tight, I'm gonna wait until my mom gets home then try to jump it, unles someone has a better suggestion.

 

[shuan24]

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919

Originally posted by: shuan24
pump the gas pedal. Since its been sitting there for so long the fuel line probably lost the fuel pressure.

please exit this thread.

hey it works for my car when I find myself in a situation like the OP described. Oh well. :roll:

 

[amdskip]

I dunno if his car is fuel injected but you do want to pump a fuel injected vehicle ever.
Cars do not loose fuel pressure either.

 

[Doggiedog]

Originally posted by: 91TTZ
I still think your battery is dead. Headlights take next to nothing compared to the amount of current that the starter motor takes. Get it jumpstarted.

I agree. I'm no expert but my battery needed replacement even though the lights and stereo worked.

 

[SilverTorch]

Originally posted by: amdskip
I dunno if his car is fuel injected but you do want to pump a fuel injected vehicle ever.
Cars do not loose fuel pressure either.

Pumping the gas on a fuel injected car will do nothing for the car while its off.

 

[WarDemon666]

Try to get it jumpstarted, if it doesnt work, check your spark plugs. Old spark plugs + winter + low battery = no start.

If they look very worn out (black etc) change them at once. Your car will start like a charm!

 

[FrustratedUser]

You should measure the voltage of the battery while under load, that is when the starter is working.
I had a bad battery and the voltage was just below 12V with no load but dropped down to 8V when the starter was cranking.

Needless to say the battery was bad.

 

[imthebadguy]

try jumping the car regardless, also give it some gas when u crank the ignitions

 

[Heisenberg]

Originally posted by: amdskip
I dunno if his car is fuel injected but you do want to pump a fuel injected vehicle ever.
Cars do not loose fuel pressure either.

If the car is sitting with the ignition off, the fuel pressure will indeed bleed off over time.

 

[SilverTorch]

Originally posted by: Heisenberg

Originally posted by: amdskip
I dunno if his car is fuel injected but you do want to pump a fuel injected vehicle ever.
Cars do not loose fuel pressure either.

If the car is sitting with the ignition off, the fuel pressure will indeed bleed off over time.

yup. when you put the key in the ignition and turn it, but not start it you should hear your fuel pump prime its self. its a slight whining noise on my GTP.

 

[gotsmack]

I jumped the car, it runs fine now.

Thanks for the help. Will drop off at mechanic for a quick look over and an oil change tomorrow.

 

[FrustratedUser]

Originally posted by: gotsmack
I jumped the car, it runs fine now.

Thanks for the help. Will drop off at mechanic for a quick look over and an oil change tomorrow.

Did you check the battery voltage?

 

[gotsmack]

I don't own a multimeter