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i posted a thread not long ago about my car stalling after it starts. then it began to not start at all. i then discovered the Main Relay was bad, and instead of trying to repair it i just went and bought a new one. and i bought a new O2 sensor to try to stop it from stalling. well yesterday (before i got the new relay and O2 sensor) i went out and plugged the Main Relay back in, because its been sitting in the warm house all night. cranked it and it started. chugged a little so i figured id get a new O2 and it should solve that.
so today i went and bought one, and put it in. got in the car, plugged the WARM main relay in, and turned the key….no start again. just cranked and cranked. so i thought eh the main relay is shot now…so i went and bought a whole new one. got home, and the same thing happened. cranked but no start.
so what im thinking, i know the main relay was bad…regardless i got a new one so i know thats not the problem, but i think, again im not professional….i believe that its another component thats being affected by the cold. because yesterday was a fairly warm day. in the high 40’s – mid 50’s.and today its below freezing…
my question is, what other parts are there that could be affected by the cold so much that it would cause a no start. i have a video of what it sounds like when i try to turn it over now. i will post it below. i really appreciate all the help. been trying to get the car running a few weeks now. would really hate to have to let her go!
Thanks
-Josh –P.S. there is not check engine light on currently, and the person cranking the car never drove a standard so excuse her first couple attempts to turn it over, she didnt know about the clutch :p
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Well..It sounds like it has compression so that’s good. Next you will need to check to see if it has spark. Remove any plug wire from the spark plug and poke a screwdriver in the end of the wire and set it so it has about a 1/8 gap away from something metal Have a helper try to start the engine while watching for spark jumping.
If it has spark you will need to check for fuel. If you slightly loosen the fuel line at the fuel filter and turn the key to the run position you should have fuel leaking out at the loosened fitting.
Let us know the results.
Maybe these will help http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9K78XIhhjAQ
i have already used that method to test the fuel pump. it checked out to be okay. i havent checked the spark, but i dont think its that because it did start a couple days ago when the weather was nicer and warmer. not that its cold out its not starting again. i will check the spark though. just to be sure. thank you for the help! 🙂
You don’t have to buy new parts every time it stops working, instead visit some garage shop, where your problem can be solved easily.
UPDATE: tested for spark. have spark at the plugs but was weak. battery was almost dead at this point though. i also tested the coil just to go the extra step, same result. had a spark jumping to the test light, but it was very weak. i also noticed on the distributor rotor seemed a little worn. not sure if thats a problem considering im still getting a spark at the plug, just a weak one. but im going to go buy a new battery as ive hard to charge this one numerous times in the time that ive spent trying to start it. will update afterwards.
You car is cranking stronger than my Subaru is with 5W-30 in it. Temperature here is cold and getting colder.
One thing that could be causing your problem is a bad coolant temperature sensor. Think what happens to the mixture if the coolant temperature sensor is telling the engine computer that the engine is at a balmy 78 degrees. On a warmer day the mixture could be near enough right to let the engine start.
There’s a couple of ways of checking the sensor. The easier method is to scan it off of the computer if you have the correct tool. Also, in the service manual, there may be resistance readings the sensor should provide for various temperatures.
I’m glad that you decided to check for spark as well. When diagnosing a no start, don’t guess or assume. In your case you were assuming it was the main relay. It’s much better to check for the basics with a no start and go from there. Don’t forget about mechanical! I got burned on this myself recently with the Subaru timing belt. The timing was a tooth off causing a hesitation. This article covers the basics of no start diagnosis. If you read it, I’m sure you’ll get some idea on how to go about solving your no start issue. BTW, I’d start by checking the battery in your case. If you have a weak battery, nothing else works right.
http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/solving-automotive-no-start-problems
Good luck and keep us posted.
Just a quick note. i put a new battery in yesterday and the spark improved. it was weak, but its strong white spark now with the new battery installed.
Checking out the link you posted now 🙂
sorry i havent replied lately, been very busy with work. and its been in the negatives lately. today it was finally over 20 degrees lol.
so i tested for compression and it checked out fine. ranged between 140-150
AND i did spray some brake cleaner in the intake and it DID turn over for a split second.(got this tip from honda-tech). so i guess my engine is not getting fuel? but what could be causing that if my relay is good and my pump is working correctly?
is there a way to test the injectors individually? or the connections on the intake manifold or something? please let me know!
-josh-
i tested the injectors and was getting on average 11.5 with the ohm meter set at 200 ohms for all four injectors.
and i tested the clips with the test light and they were all getting power.
i also tested the two clips on the intake manifold with the test light and i got power but it was a weak light, is it supposed to be like that? just thought i would test them while i was there and see what came up.
i tested the injectors and was getting on average 11.5 for all four injectors.
and i tested the clips with the test light and they were all getting power.
i also tested the two clips on the intake manifold with the test light and i got power but it was a weak light, is it supposed to be like that? just thought i would test them while i was there and see what came up.
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