My car won't start. The engine refuses to turn over. This has been going on a while where if I don't use the car for a while or overnight the car won't start right away but now it won't start at all. What is wrong with it? What is the worst thing it can be? I don't have the money to be spending on the damn thing. Yes i've tried leaving the ignition in the on position for 10sec before starting it. I also have a check engine light but it is only code 0903 which is the EVAP Valve and nothing that would affect its performance. It is a 96 manual max with 78,000 miles on it and only a few modes which can be seen below. I bought it last june with 66,000 miles on it. Please help. Anything else you need to know to help to come to a conclusion about what is wrong just ask. Thanks

 

does anything work like lights radio... or are they dim.. maybe its the battery.. if not it might be the starter..

 

tried jumping it didn't work though so i don't think its the battery do you think the starter might be the problem because its trying to start but its not turning over. I'm probrably going to have to have it towed to the mechanic but can't do it tommorow because we got a lot of snow here in jersey and its presidents day. Now by the time I have it checked and fixed it might take a while. Dammit! Now I have to drive my first car an 84 buick for a while. This sucks. How much to replace the starter anyway? Also could it be the spark plugs since I have now idea if the previous owner did the 60,000 mile check up?

 

My moms BMW did almost the same thing, we tried to jump it... no good. Replaced the battery started right up. SOmetimes you cant jump a battery because its way too dead.

 

do you hear a click when u try to start it?

 

I don't think so just won't turn over. But if I did hear a click what would that be?

 

Since it's a 5 speed, why not try to start it on a roll? Hold the clutch out and have the gearbox in 2nd. Leave the key in the run position (obviously.) Once you coast to 10-15 mph, let the clutch out and see if she comes to life.

DW

 

Your problem sounds exactly like what I had. No cranking that only
happened some times. Turns out that old grease in the starter and
solenoid assembly causes the starter to hang up. If your starter
won't crank, try tapping on the solenoid/starter and and see if that
will allow the car to start. If so, you definately have this problem.
See my post titled 'Starters and sticky grease don't mix'.

 

Someone stole your engine.

 

Need a diagnosis. Car was making a weird sound after I tried starting it after charging it for a half hour today. After charging the battery for two hours I got it to start after only trying a little bit. Been trying to start it on and off since sunday afternoon. I never really tried to charge it for long before today just used the "jumper" setting on the charger. Car also made a weird sort of knocking noise when I tried to start it before. Thanks for any help you can give me. Think it might be the alternator ot battery?

 

Does it stay started? when at idle, do the RPM's jump around alot?
Any black smoke/fuel smell out of your tailpipe when it's running?

If it doesn't stay started, OR your RPM's jump around alot, and you've got the smoke, then your MAF is either disconnected or bad.

IanS

 

nope runs perfectly normal when started.

 

Take it to Autozone and have them check your battery and alternator for free.

If that turns out ok, it's probably the starter that needs regreasing or replacement.