Thread: car won't start
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Old Jun 23, 2005 | 08:20 PM
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foot
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"Crank" means the starter motor runs. If the starter motor runs as I think you indicate, then remove one of the spark plug wires from a spark plug. Using an insulated spark plug boot holding device ( to prevent getting zapped ) hold the boot almost on the spark plug and have someone try to start the car. The goal is to listen for the electrons jumping from the spark plug wire to the spark plug. If there is "spark" you will hear it as a semi loud clicking.

If no spark, get in the car. Turn the key into the "on" position and wait for the check engine light to go out. At the very moment the light goes out listen for a single "click" from under the steering wheel area. You are listening for the sound of the main relay clicking. If you don't hear that click at the very moment the check engine light goes out, the main relay is probably bad.

If you hear the click, the cause of the no spark is probably a bad coil. Usually a bad coil will short through the coil case and either to the cap or to the distributor metal casing. This usually will leave burn marks if it has been happening long enough.

If the belt had stripped teeth it wouldn't have restarted after dying at the light. You can remove the valve cover/timing cover and rotate the crankshaft. If the cam shafts rotate with the crank shaft then the belt is probably ok.

If you have spark, listen for the fuel injectors "clicking" as someone tries to start the car. If you hear them clicking and you don't have a fuel pressure guage you can at least remove one or more spark plugs and look for fuel on them. They will be wet if the cylinders are getting fuel.

probably a main relay.
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