Car Won' Start
Car won't start?
First thing would be to check all your fuses. Most fuse boxes are
located under the driver side dash panel. Some cars do have an extra set
of fuses on passenger side kick panel (foot area on door side)
If all fuses are good, then next thing would be to test your relays with
an ohmmeter.
If all your your relays and fuses are good, you will want to check for
fuel and spark. A car needs air, fuel and spark to run.
To check for spark, you can purchase and use a spark tester.
If you cannot obtain a spark tester, then the next best thing would be
an ohmmeter. You can test the power coming from your coil packs or
distributor depending on what you have. On distributorless vehicles (one
with coil packs) the coil pack are attached to an ignition module. This
module is powered by the Crankshaft Position Sensor. This sensor can be
tested with an ohmmeter. The Crankshaft Position Sensor is the first
thing to be tested if you have no spark in any cylinder. If you have
spark in some cylinders but not all, then check the coil pack (1 pack
per 2 cylinders).
If you have a distributor, test the coil that provides the spark.
If you have plenty of good strong spark, then the next step would be to
check for fuel.
Fuel system consists of Fuel Tank, Fuel Pump, Fuel pump Relay, Fuel
Filter, Fuel Pressure Regulator and finally carberator or injectors.
Fuel injected systems have a fuel rail. On the fuel rail is a test port
for fuel pressure. If you have a fuel pressure tester you can test how
much fuel pressure you have. Or you can place a rag over the valve and
press it in to see if there is pressure. If not pressure, check that
pump is running. You should hear it run for a few seconds when key is
first placed in the ON position. If pump is not running, check fuses and
pump relay.
If pump is running but fuel pressure is low, check for leaks, plugged
fuel filter, or leaky injector.
If your check engine light is on, then you likely have a faulty sensor
or circuit and should have the engine codes read with a code
reader/scanner to pinpoint exact problem area.
For more info, ask an expert at www.fixya.com
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