Hey guys, I can't get my car to start. I thought it was a bad starter, so i replaced it. Now al I get is that clicking noise, kinda like a small jackhammer or air wrench working. That's the starter trying to engage the engine I would assume.

The belt and pulleys move maybe a couple of inches then stop. What is my next step? I've replaced both the negative and positive cable wires to and from the battery and the battery is fully charged.

I don't think I hear my fuel pump priming when the key is in the 'ON' position, how can I check this?

Andrew

 

okay, the fuel pump now works, it seems the fuse to the ECM was blown, but I replaced it and its still the same thing. Starter is trying to start, but it won't get the belts and pulleys moving more than a couple inches.

Andrew

 

Dude, did you replace the starter solenoid along with the new starter? If not, might think about that as well.

In the case of a new starter solenoid and starter what kind of condition are the battery cables in and are they snug and secured well.

Something might be up with the flywheel...back when I bent mine up real bad the starter would grind on it real hard.

Brian P

 

I have a new starter motor and solenoid and new negative and positive battery cables. They're really tight too.

UPDATE: okay, now the little gear of the starter motor which engages to the flywheel doesn't want to come back into the motor. It just seems to sit up "interwheeled" with the flywheel. I don't get it. When I try to start the car it just makes a sound like a jackhammer (click click click click click but really loud and fast)

If I get under there and push the little wheel back into the housing and try to start the car, nothing happens at all. Nothing moves, nothing except the fuel pump.

Also, no spark. I don't get it.

Andrew

 

What may have happened was that the starter was not sufficiently shimmed when you installed it. When the drive gear on the starter came out it may have been too close to the flexplate and when it rotated it became jammed against the flexplate making it unable to retract. This would explain it being stuck to the flexplate. Also if the clearance is too tight, the starter would not be able to turn the motor over. This is just a thought. Good luck let me know what happens. -John

 

okay. we shimmed it correctly and its turning over now. but not starting. it just keeps trying to start. maybe we flooded the engine? we're letting it sit for a little bit and then we will try it again.anybody else have any ideas?

Andrew

 

Did you disconnect your battery before doing the sterter swap. If not then I bet you hit the frame with the power wires from the starter. This is what most likely blew your ECM fuse. Check all the other fuses.Also, you may have damged a fusible link in the starter area

 

yeah the battery was disconnected before doing the starter switch. is there any way to check a fusible link other than replacing them? I could probobly just put power on one side and check the other with a power meter right?

Well, we tried starting the car again and it is still turning and turning and turning but never really catching. It is almost like its sputtering, but barely. Every second or two it'll have one tiny sputter. I can smell gas as well. whats next?

Thanks for the help guys.

Andrew

 

If the car did not do this before the starter install then it must be something you did by accident. Did you have your hands under the hood at all. Check for dissconnected plugs, or anything. Are you hearing the fuel pump come on. if so then there has to be a spark problem.

 

I guess I must have hit something. There is spark going to all the plugs, we checked that, and the fuel pump goes on and off. I don't understand what would make in not start. What else is in the equation?

starter solenoid -> starter motor -> to flywheel
distributor -> plug wires -> plugs
fuel pump -> rail -> injectors

maybe something is wrong with the injectors? I can smell gas as well, so other than hearing the pump work, i know its pumping it forward.

Andrew

 

I would pull a spark plug out and look at it. Does the engine seem like its turning fast enough to fire? 300-400rpms?

Have you checked the fuel pressure?

 

it definately seems like it is going fast enough to get the engine going. But maybe its just not. I'll have to get a fuel pressure gauge to check that. Would I be able to find the steps to check my fuel pressure by searching the board? or does somebody have a handy link?

Andrew

 

The Schrader valve to check for FP is on the passenger side of the fuel rail next to the fuel pressure regulator. Remove the cap and screw the gauge on while the car is off. Turn the key to make sure the pump is on then check the pressure. Be sure to disconnect and plug the vacuum hose while doing this. Note the FP readings then turn the key and see if the pressure holds or not while you try to start it

 

I haven't been able to check the fuel pressure because I don't have a gauge yet. It is turning at like 300 to 400 rpm, but just never catches. Could there just not be enough air going to it? or maybe too much. Something with the injectors?

I'm going to see if I could get it to a shop tomorrow.

Andrew