Why won't it start??? [Archive] - RonFez.net Messageboard

Reephdweller

01-09-2003, 04:44 AM

I'm having a problem with my car. If I go to start the car, like after several hours, or the next day it starts up just fine. But if the car is running a short amount of time like 5 or 6 minutes and I shut it off..say to fill up the tank..the car won't start.

Though if the car is running for say 15 or 20 minutes it will restart if I shut the car off. I had a tune-up done the other day because I thought that was the problem. Does anyone have any other ideas as to what else it could be?

<IMG SRC="http://members.hostedscripts.com/randomimage.cgi?user=go2osirus">

Thebazile78

01-09-2003, 05:11 AM

does anyone have any other ideas as to what else it could be?

Does this consistently happen during colder weather?

My car used to do that, before she died (*bows head and takes a moment of silence for 'The Blue Meanie', my 1985 Pontiac Grand Prix*) . . . it was vapor lock.

I don't know exactly what causes it, but if you let the car sit for a little while it should be OK.

Another thing I had to do when this happened was push the gas pedal once and then turn the ignition. That usually flushed some of the vapor lock out enough to start her up.

<img src="http://tenbatsuzen.homestead.com/files/bazile78sig.jpg">
 "If human beings stopped exercising their lips, their brains would start working" - Ford Prefect

This message was edited by Thebazile78 on 1-9-03 @ 9:14 AM

Reephdweller

01-09-2003, 05:20 AM

Does this consistently happen during colder weather?

I've only noticed it in the past month or so. So I'm not sure if it's the cold weather or something else.

I'm wondering if the battery has anything to do with it, though its about 2 or 3 years old so I don't think that's it, but who knows.

Also you're right, if I let it sit for a few minutes it's okay then.

<IMG SRC="http://members.hostedscripts.com/randomimage.cgi?user=go2osirus">

This message was edited by reefdwella on 1-9-03 @ 9:23 AM

Thebazile78

01-09-2003, 05:24 AM

I've only noticed it in the past month or so. So I'm not sure if it's the cold weather or something else.

The past month or so has been colder than a witch's tit.

How long have you had the car? Is it an older car or something newer?

Vapor lock tends to occur in older cars during the winter, though my dad's '98 Mystique would do it too. But the Mystique is a POS-car.

Try pushing the gas pedal first before you try starting your car. If I forgot to do that in my car, she would get cranky and not start up.

The battery is a good theory, too, but this sounds more like vapor lock than battery trouble.

<img src="http://tenbatsuzen.homestead.com/files/bazile78sig.jpg">
 "If human beings stopped exercising their lips, their brains would start working" - Ford Prefect

Reephdweller

01-09-2003, 05:29 AM

it's a '92 Jeep Cherokee

<IMG SRC="http://members.hostedscripts.com/randomimage.cgi?user=go2osirus">

walking joint

01-09-2003, 05:32 AM

i'm not sure what quality of a battery you have, but i had to replace mine after 3 years. i had a similiar problem, but when i tried starting the car it was obvious the battery was dying.

wilee

01-09-2003, 05:32 AM

I agree with Thebazile's assessment. Vapor lock occurs when the fuel "boils" before it can get to the injector or carburetor. It's not dangerous in that respect, it just needs to condense back into a liquid which takes a couple of moments. Is your fuel pump in the engine compartment or near the fuel tank? If it is in the engine compartment, it is most likely vapor lock.

<IMG SRC="http://cwjr.home.infi.net/wilee.jpg">

Reephdweller

01-09-2003, 05:35 AM

see what got me thinking it's the battery was that its one of those price club kind've batteries. i'm wondering if replacing it with a good die hard battery would fix it. i did some checking on vapor lock and it sounds like its caused by clogged fuel filters, so i'll look into that as well.

<IMG SRC="http://members.hostedscripts.com/randomimage.cgi?user=go2osirus">

Reephdweller

01-09-2003, 05:51 AM

Thank you Thebazile78 and everyone else for your help.

<IMG SRC="http://members.hostedscripts.com/randomimage.cgi?user=go2osirus">

TooCute

01-09-2003, 06:12 AM

I have a '92 Jeep Cherokee,
too! Woo. Mine's blue :)

What do you mean by 'it
doesn't start'? What does it
sound like when you turn
the key?

If it's your battery, initially, if
it's not that bad, (which to
me seems like it might be
the problem), it will sound
essentially 'normal' - like it
is turning over. As your
battery gets worse, though,
you will start hearing
clicking, and all your interior
lights will dim, etc.

When your car DOESN"T
start, how do you get it
started again? If you need
to jump it, that's a pretty
obvious clue ;)

<img src=http://thereisnogod.faithweb.com/images/toocute2.gif>
ADF makes great sigpics!

TooCute

01-09-2003, 06:17 AM

Oh, btw -when you had your
tune up done, didn't you ask
your mechanic what it might
have been??

Also, my car was dying and
not starting too, particularly
in humid weather, but that
was just ebcause I needed
a tune up :) My battery DID
die on me two summers
ago, though; it was a Mopar
one from the dealer and it
was about three years old.

<img src=http://thereisnogod.faithweb.com/images/toocute2.gif>
ADF makes great sigpics!

Reephdweller

01-09-2003, 06:24 AM

too cute, when i go to start it, there is no noise of the car starting other than the buzz you hear when you turn the ignition. the interior lights will go on. though if you try to start it a few times eventually the noise you hear when you turn the ignition goes away and no lights go on. which is why i think it may be the battery, perhaps its just depleted.

as for why i didn't mention it to the mechanic, i did and he suggested what everyone else did..that it was probably just that i needed a tune-up. he had told me i need one late last year when i got my inspection, so the thinking was that the tune-up was the problem.

mine's red (the jeep i mean) :-)

<IMG SRC="http://members.hostedscripts.com/randomimage.cgi?user=go2osirus">

This message was edited by reefdwella on 1-9-03 @ 10:29 AM

TooCute

01-09-2003, 08:15 AM

hough if you try to
start it a few times
eventually the noise you hear
when you turn the ignition
goes away and no lights go
on.

Vapor lock doesn't make your
interior lights not turn on.
It's your battery. Get a jump,
drive to sears, and get it
changed.

One thing though - I had a
little trouble when I replaced
my batetry because apparently
the positive and negative
leads are reversed from most
batteries, so they had trouble
finding one which the wires on
my car could

<img src=http://thereisnogod.faithweb.com/images/toocute2.gif>
ADF makes great sigpics!

FelixDasGato

01-09-2003, 08:28 AM

May not be the battery. Check the starter.

<IMG SRC="http://www.silentspic.com/images/sighost/felixwalk.gif">

Reephdweller

01-09-2003, 10:29 AM

I'm back, way ahead you Too Cute, I ran it over to Sears and they said the battery was bad. Got a new one. Hopefully as is fixed now.

So far so good.

<IMG SRC="http://members.hostedscripts.com/randomimage.cgi?user=go2osirus">

hyperspace

01-09-2003, 10:32 AM

Patches

01-09-2003, 11:01 AM

Sounds like the alternator to me. The alternator recharges the battery while the engine is on. If it is not doing that, it isn't very long at all until the battery is dead.

<IMG SRC=http://www.silentspic.com/images/sighost/patches3.jpg>
www.silentspic.com

Osama Bin Laden, you can kiss my royal Irish ass! And I live in Rockaway. And this is my face, bitch!
-FF Mike Moran

Reephdweller

01-09-2003, 11:06 AM

ok as an ex auto guy i can say this. vapor lock only happens in very hot weather. now if your battery is going it would not start again in afew hours unless it was charged. it could be a bad starter. when the engine heats up, worn metal parts in the starter motor expand and do not function properly. that's why it will start after it cools. there are also ingnition parts that will do the same thing when they wear out (coil igniter etc.) keep your car tuned up!!.

hopefully the battery replacement has fixed it, though if not I'll look into the starter next. the battery needed replacing anyway.

<IMG SRC="http://members.hostedscripts.com/randomimage.cgi?user=go2osirus">

ChickenHawk

01-09-2003, 11:10 AM

hyperspace

01-09-2003, 01:55 PM

if not most cars are equipped with zippers and the bad parts come right out.

dassal3399

01-09-2003, 02:00 PM

If it's the battery just get a new one, don't get it charged, sometimes the battery will not hold the charge. My hoopty had the same problem it had something to do with the starter.

<img src=http://members.aol.com/vikorynotvengnce/images/dassal3399.gif>

"I'm Tony Montana...You Fuck Wit Me...You Fuck Wit The Best!!"

Shout Out To Can of Soup 15 and Toddevf for the Kick Ass Sig Pic!

Reephdweller

01-09-2003, 02:24 PM

I think I may have the
solution to your problem.
Under the hood there
should be a switch labeled
"Broken" on one end and
"Fixed" on the other end.
Make sure to flip that switch
from the "Broken" position
into the "Fixed" position.
That should do it.

WOW, I just checked under there looking for it and wiped away some of the dirt and sure enough there was the "fixed" switch, I flipped that bad boy up and now that car is purring. Thanks!

<IMG SRC="http://members.hostedscripts.com/randomimage.cgi?user=go2osirus">

ChickenHawk

01-09-2003, 09:20 PM

WOW, I just checked
under there looking for it
and wiped away some of
the dirt and sure enough
there was the "fixed" switch,
I flipped that bad boy up and
now that car is purring.
Thanks!
Hey, no problem! I learned
it from watching Rocko's
Modern Life. (Did anyone
get the reference?)

SIGNATURE PENDING

Reephdweller

01-10-2003, 02:30 AM

(Did anyone
get the reference?)

sadly no.

<IMG SRC="http://members.hostedscripts.com/randomimage.cgi?user=go2osirus">

Arienette

01-10-2003, 07:34 AM

poor horde king never even got a chance...

<img src="http://thereisnogod.faithweb.com/images/ari2.gif" height=100 width=300</img>
you're made of my sin
and i can't tell where your lust ends
and where your love begins

Reephdweller

01-10-2003, 03:12 PM

In a good follow up on this, I got the chance to test it twice today. I took two quick trips today, one at lunch and one after work and both times the car started right up. So it had to be the battery.

<IMG SRC="http://members.hostedscripts.com/randomimage.cgi?user=go2osirus">

walking joint

01-10-2003, 03:17 PM

this is the first time i may have gotten a car problem right. now only if i can do that when it happens to me.

irishkb

01-10-2003, 03:20 PM

i would have your ingintion coil checked i just had mine replace. go to sears or something like for like 30 bucks you can get your electrical system checked, bat, alt, etc....

but definately put it in the shop before it is too expensive

<IMG SRC=http://irishkb.50megs.com/images/jets.gif>
<marquee>NY Jets AFC East Champions
Notre Dame 10-3</marquee>

"IM"-mick0306

HordeKing1

01-10-2003, 09:55 PM

Sorry it took so long to respond, I've been a bit under the weather. Much like your car, I'm having a bit of trouble getting started (or out of bed and standing up straight at least).

Since your car is invertebrate it's safe to say that the problem is NOT with it's spine.

Fortunately, the problem seems to have resolved and some good suggestions given already.

I would have suggested buying a new car :)

<img src="http://members.aol.com/rnfpantera/hking1">

Reephdweller

01-22-2003, 07:10 PM

I would have suggested buying a new car

i may have to do that.

here's a little update on this. the car was working just fine up until this weekend when the same problem re-emerged. i then happened again on tuesday, so I have it in at the shop. the guy says that it is something to do with the starter though they're still trying to pinpoint why it's happening. i may have a weird auto phenonmenon on my hands. hopefully all will be fixed by tommorrow though.
it's not the alternator or vapor lock he said though.

<IMG SRC="http://members.hostedscripts.com/randomimage.cgi?user=go2osirus">

Reephdweller

01-24-2003, 03:04 PM

Final update to this story, i got my car back today. turns out i needed to have my Neutral Safety Switch replaced. Its located someone in or around the transmission. The part hard to be $pecial ordered from the manufacturer so naturally it cost me a lot of money. So much for going out and getting wasted.

<IMG SRC="http://members.hostedscripts.com/randomimage.cgi?user=go2osirus">

irishkb

01-24-2003, 03:15 PM

So much for going out
and getting wasted.

never fear.. you can always drink at home for cheap... natural light is like $5.50 a 12pack.. that and a 40 of Mickey's will do you just fine... enjoy..

<IMG SRC=http://irishkb.50megs.com/images/irishkbspeed.jpg>

<marquee>NY Jets AFC East Champions
Notre Dame 10-3
Mets??</marquee>

"IM"-mick0306

Reephdweller

01-24-2003, 03:18 PM

never fear.. you can always drink at home for cheap... natural light is like $5.50 a 12pack.. that and a 40 of Mickey's will do you just fine... enjoy..

Actually I have LOTS of alcohol here, all I need is the ladies and I'm set.

<IMG SRC="http://members.hostedscripts.com/randomimage.cgi?user=go2osirus">

Reephdweller

11-17-2003, 06:53 AM

Looks like this problem is back again. I'm waiting for the tow truck to take me to my mechanic. I'm curious if it's the same problem as last time. This time it's happening on cold starts (as far as I can tell).

It first happened on Saturday. I got to my girls house and when we went to go out the car wouldn't start. We thought it was the relay switch for the starter near the fuses. We took it out, cleaned it off and the car started right up. I bought an additional switch at Pep Boys as a backup. The was working fine until this morning when I went to go to work. Nothing would get the car started. I checked the switches again. Nothing. I'm curious if it's the neutral safety switch again. If anyone has ideas as to what this could be I'd appreciate it. BTW the battery is a new Sears Die Hard which I got when I first started having problems back in January, so it's not the battery.

<center><IMG SRC="http://www.chaoticconcepts.com/randomizer/random.php?uid=3">
Horde King Forever!! <strike>The Oracle Never!!</strike></center>

<marquee behavior=alternate bgcolor="#FFFFFF">Right now you could care less about me...
but soon enough you will care, by the time I'm done</marquee>

Furtherman

11-17-2003, 07:29 AM

I'm having the same problems with my car Reef... and your experience is making me cringe. I just know it's going to cost me more $$ than the car is worth. What I have been doing is that every time I start the car, I let it run for at least 1/2 hr. Then it will start fine the next time, but if I'm not driving anywhere I still try and warm it up for 1/2 hr. every three days. It's an '83 Camry. I just chalk it up to one of the unfortunate tasks of having an old car.

<IMG SRC="http://www.photobucket.com/albums/1003/Furtherman/e7d576eb.jpg">

Late2party

11-18-2003, 02:18 PM

Looks like this problem is back again. I'm waiting for the tow truck to take me to my mechanic. I'm curious if it's the same problem as last time. This time it's happening on cold starts (as far as I can tell).

It first happened on Saturday. I got to my girls house and when we went to go out the car wouldn't start. We thought it was the relay switch for the starter near the fuses. We took it out, cleaned it off and the car started right up. I bought an additional switch at Pep Boys as a backup. The was working fine until this morning when I went to go to work. Nothing would get the car started. I checked the switches again. Nothing. I'm curious if it's the neutral safety switch again. If anyone has ideas as to what this could be I'd appreciate it. BTW the battery is a new Sears Die Hard which I got when I first started having problems back in January, so it's not the battery.

I'm not clear on this; is it turning over this time or not? If the neutral safety switch is bad it sure won't turn over... if you get a 'click' and nothing else I'd suspect the starter solenoid.

If it won't even give you a 'click', while I don't want to get your hopes up there IS a technical service bulletin on the '92 Cherokee having to do with the neutral safety switch - it's called "Customer Satisfaction Notification #733 - Brake Pedal Shift Interlock". Customer Satisfaction Notification sounds to me like auto manufacturerese for 'secret warranty'. Check nhtsa.gov for some details, it's service bulletin number 98733.

-Wendell
'87 Wrangler, MOPAR fuel injection conversion

Reephdweller

11-18-2003, 02:39 PM

Thanks for the info Late2Party, I'll check it out.

Actually, I just got the car back home from the mechanic. This time it wasn't the neutral safety switch but rather the starter that needed to be replaced.

<center><IMG SRC="http://www.chaoticconcepts.com/randomizer/random.php?uid=3">
Horde King Forever!! <strike>The Oracle Never!!</strike></center>

<marquee behavior=alternate bgcolor="#FFFFFF">Right now you could care less about me...
but soon enough you will care, by the time I'm done</marquee>

TooCute

11-19-2003, 08:15 AM

Meanwhile when it's humid out, my 92 cherokee starts, but it idles really fast sometimes and when I press the accelerator, the rpms go down and sometimes it goes low enough to stall out. Mechanic can't figure it out, some elctrical problem, they told me to bring it back when it's actually doing it, but the problem is that it might do it for an afternoon and then its all back to normal.

stupid car.

plus the door leaks so now the passenger side floor gets soaked every time it rains. seems to be leaking in from the seal around the rubber tube that houses the wires etc coming into the door from the front of the car. I wonder if the two problems are related.

<img src="http://www.chaoticconcepts.com/bans/toocute2.gif">

high fly

11-19-2003, 08:43 AM

The problem is back...

When I call the place back that did the "repair" in these situations, I like to use the line: "The bandaid fell off".

" and they ask me why I drink"

Reephdweller

11-19-2003, 12:21 PM

TC, mines a '92 as well though I've never had the humidity issue or the problems with idling. If anything the car always roared to life when I started it and held it's idle. I can only think of one time where it stalled, which was actually a few weeks ago. It was right after I had started to car. I went to back out of my driveway and it stalled. I'm curious now if that was a symptom of things to come. Aside from that, I never had that problem.

<center><IMG SRC="http://www.chaoticconcepts.com/randomizer/random.php?uid=3">
Horde King Forever!! <strike>The Oracle Never!!</strike></center>

<marquee behavior=alternate bgcolor="#FFFFFF">Right now you could care less about me...
but soon enough you will care, by the time I'm done</marquee>

Duke

11-19-2003, 01:17 PM

reef they way your putting money into it u might as well just by a new car......Cuse your probley going put a lot of money in it enought to buy a new car.....

<img src="http://www.photobucket.com/albums/1003/mikeyboy/sigduke1.jpg"

I am making my own radio show on the internet...And i made a site..It has a message board and other cool stuff please join here is the adress

http://www.robanddan.tk

TooCute

11-19-2003, 01:18 PM

Hmm. Well. I never had the problem that you had, so who knows? I've replaced my battery once, and I had serious brake issues, including some thing that they had like a recall for? And they replaced a bunch of junk for that.

Well, given the rain today, I'm assuming that my car will be stalling out tomorrow. It also happens much more when I am going forward. Rarely in reverse. It's all quite odd and has my mechanic baffled.

<img src="http://www.chaoticconcepts.com/bans/toocute2.gif">

Reephdweller

11-19-2003, 02:24 PM

reef they way your putting money into it u might as well just by a new car

Sounds easy enough Duke, I'd love a new car, but I have to save up. In the meantime I'm doing the best I can. For the most part this car is pretty reliable.

<center><IMG SRC="http://www.chaoticconcepts.com/randomizer/random.php?uid=3">
Horde King Forever!! <strike>The Oracle Never!!</strike></center>

<marquee behavior=alternate bgcolor="#FFFFFF">Right now you could care less about me...
but soon enough you will care, by the time I'm done</marquee>