Does the engine rotate when you try to start the car? There are various things that can be faulty and it depends on whether the engine rotates or not. It would be easier to advice if you could give more details.
Regardless of engine rotating or not the battery terminal connections can be loose or corroded. Check the cable terminals at the battery, tighten the clamps and /or clean off corrosion if necessary. Battery can be discharged or faulty. Turn key to on position and switch on headlights or windshield wipers. If they won't run the battery is discharged.
Other things that can have faults are: broken, loose or disconnected wires in the starting circuit.Inspect all wires and connectors at the battery, starter solenoid and ignition switch. Starter motor pinion jammed in flywheel ring gear, starter solenoid faulty, starter motor faulty, ignition switch faulty, engine seized (try to turn the crankshaft with a large socket and breaker bar on the pulley bolt. Fuel may not reach carburetor or fuel injector. Check for clogged fuel filter, lines and defective fuel pump. Also check tank vent lines aren't clogged.
Choke may not operate properly, faulty distributor components - check cap and rotor. Low cylinder compression, valves clearances not properly adjusted, water in the fuel, defective ignition coil,dirty or clogged carburetor jets and fuel injector, carburetor out of adjustment, wet or damaged ignition components, warn, faulty or incorrect gapped spark plugs, loose distributor, timing chain or gear failure affecting valve timing, starter pinion sticking, starter pinion or flywheel/driveplate teeth worn or broken.
These are the faults I can think of on top of my head and some relates to whether the engine rotates and others not.
Posted Apr 11, 2012 (12 years ago)