HELP! I can't start my car despite the stickies!
 

Hi guys, I have an issue. Two days ago, I went to my car, attempted to start it, heard a couple of cranks, then a whimper and then nothing. I turned the car off and tried it again, no sound of anything. After reading the stickies and other posts, I determined it would probably be the starter that needs replacement, but tried to pop the clutch to get it started and it didn't work either. I just got done replacing the starter and it cranks strong, a lot better than the old one, but the car doesn't turn over. I can smell gas, so I think the fuel is being delivered, but does anyone have any other ideas? Possibly a small thing for me to check like a fuse or connection? Any help would be great as I have to work tomorrow and can't really afford to take another day off. Thanks guys!

try ur battery. start small and think basic. does ur lights turn on?

[QUOTE=benolin
I just got done replacing the starter and it cranks strong, a lot better than the old one, but the car doesn't turn over.[/QUOTE]

OK, is the car turning over or not? need more info to help

yes its a good chance that its the battery, same thing happened to me and I got a new battery and everything was normal

My battery seems fine. I can turn all of my lights on and my stereo. It doesn't seem like the battery is bad. The car doesn't turn over, sounds like all of the work is coming from the starter itself. It just winds, but nothing seems to happen. When I put in the starter, was there something I should have done to align the teeth with the flywheel? Thanks for the help!! I have to get this running!

if ur sooo posititve it mite be the starter....get another one and install it. if it isnt the starter....return it!

If its not firing have you checked plugs and ensured the fuel filter and pump are good? Did this just happen overnight or were there symptoms prior to not starting.

Well , I guess I can't say that I'm SOOOO positive it's not the battery so I'll try jumping it. I've already installed a new starter and it won't start. I am not sure if the fuel pump or filter are ok, however I can smell gas when I do try starting it, so I think it's getting there. There were symptoms a few days before where it would take little more time to turn the car over when starting, then it would bog for a second and then surge and be fine. It drove fine which makes me doubt that the fuel delivery is bad otherwise it would have sputtered and stuff, right? Anyone have any other ideas?

....really need some help...

read the threads BEFORE posting...starter already changed!!

first, look at the belts and see if they're turning while you crank it, yes=starter engaging...move on

cel or codes?

check all the elec. connetions near starter you may have unplugged or knocked loose while changing it.

wiggle your key when you try to turn it on. might be the ignition switch. take your starter and get it tested it takes liek 20 minetes to get it out.

Well you say you can smell gas? From where. I dont know about anyone else but i dont think you should smell gas. Might investigate from where when you try to start it?

I just tried to jump it and I got nothing. I can hear the starter going, but it's like it's just spinning and not touching anything. The car doesn't feel like it wants to start up at all. Is there some step in the starter replacement process that I should have lined up the teeth with the flywheel or something? ANY ideas would be awesome. I don't think it's the ignition switch because I hear the click and I'm pretty sure the starter is spinning. Help! Thanks in advance!!

the starter gear "jumps out" to engage the flywheel when you turn the key. some cars have a shim that adjusts where the starter mounts so the gear doesnt travel to far or not far enough. make sure you re-install this if it was there the first time. it may be stuck to the old starter. the easiest way to tell if the starter is engaging is to have someone watch the belts to see if they turn when you crank the engine. if they are turning, it's not the starter......

I haven't had a chance to see if the belts are turning or not, but if they aren't, what is the problem then?

OK, we're getting somewhere. I got my car started! I had to pump the gas pedal a bunch until it would turn over. I got it running, let it go for a while, came back out and revved it... it revved fine, but then bogged and cut out. It started up semi-easily right after, but then would bog or die anytime I would rev it. Any ideas?!?!

sounds like a major vac leak, fuel starvation or maybe your mafs is unplugged....

I agree with these suggestions.

Ok, guys, freak incident, but here's how this situation has ended. I had my car towed to my dealership to have the service department look at it and before it went in, but my buddy told me to just try starting it when pumping the gas really hard. It took a while, but eventually it started! I let it run for about 20 minutes, then went back to it and it was still going. I revved it and let off and then the car bogged. I started it again the same way as before and took it in the service department. They looked at it the next day and over the course of the entire day they couldn'tfind anything as the car would start up incredibly fast even without pumping the gas. So, I've been driving it for a day now and it's perfect! Really weird, but I'll take it rather than changing sensors and maf junk. My theory now is to just let the Maxima fix itself. :) Thanks for your help!!

well thats wierd....i would still check for vac leaks....

Sounds like you didn't hook up your air intake or vacuum lines back up correctly.