17. WHY WON'T MY ENGINE START?
Last Updated on July 11, 2004
Finding the reason why your engine
will not start can be a very frustrating problem. The
battery and starter motor's principal job is to start
the engine. While the engine is running, the alternator,
voltage regulator and battery all work together to
provide stable source of power for your vehicle and
to recharge the battery. All of these components,
including the wiring and wiring connections, must be
in good working order to start and operate your engine.
Assuming you have the battery's plates
covered with electrolyte, sufficient fuel, the engine
and ignition system are in good working order, and
the electrolyte is not frozen, the following is a list
of four simple instructions on how to troubleshoot
the problem and isolate the source:
1. If there are no lights or other strange
electrical problems, CHECK the wiring, battery
terminal mating surfaces, inside the positive GM
style side battery cable terminal with multiple cables,
and grounding strap between the engine and chassis
for corrosion or oxidation. Clean each end
to bare metal. Loose, bad or corroded connections
are very common causes. If good, then
2. RECHARGE and TEST the battery for latent damage and TEST the charging system. If good, then
3. Test the starter. Burned solenoid
contacts, worn starter motor brushes or loose starter
bolts are common problems for older vehicles.
4. If the problem continues or the battery
drains overnight, TEST for excessive parasitic (ignition
key off) drain.
Some auto parts or battery stores
in the United States and Canada, like Auto Zone,
Sears, Wal-Mart, Pep Boys, etc., will test your battery,
charging system and starter for free. Simple
stuff, like corrosion, bad or loose cable connections,
loose alternator belt, loose starter bolts, or a
dead battery, can cause your car not start. If the
problem is not corrected, take your vehicle to a
good auto electric shop is highly recommended.
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