6.2 Car Will Not StartIf the engine turns over slowly or not at all, especially on cold mornings, it may be because the battery is not sufficiently charged. Jump-starting the battery from another car may help. Jump-starting is described below in 6.3 Jump-Starting. If the starter seems to be operating but the engine does not turn over (indicated by a high-pitched whine or grinding when the ignition key is turned to START), then there is a problem with the starter; jump starting will not help.
If the engine is turning over at normal speed, it indicates that the battery and starter are fine. Check to make sure that there is fuel in the tank. Don't rely on the fuel gauge, it may be faulty. Instead, remove the gas filler cap and rock the car. If there is gas in the tank, you should hear a sloshing sound from the filler neck. If so, turn the ignition on and listen for the sound of the fuel pump. It should run for a few seconds, then stop. If not, then fuel may not be reaching the engine. The engine may have difficulty starting because it has too much fuel, because the fuel system is vapor-locked on a hot day, or because the ignition system is wet on a very damp day. There will probably be a strong smell of gas if the engine is flooded. Repeatedly cranking the engine with the gas pedal floored may damage the catalytic converter. Instead, wait for a few minutes, and then try starting the engine again. If you suspect vapor lock, raise the hood, let the engine cool, and then try to start the engine. On damp days, check the distributor cap and spark plug wires for condensation. If they are wet, remove and replace the wires one at a time and dry them off with a clean dry cloth, then remove the distributor cap and wipe it dry inside and out. |
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