car troubles

koiz

Had some issues with my car this morning. Go out to head for work, and I try to start up my car and it wont start. It doesnt seem to be the battery but I havent tried to jump it yet. You can hear the engine trying to turn over and you can hear the starter attempting to work but it just wont go. This probably seemed to happen to me before and I guess I am just hoping that something else might be wrong. Could it be the fuel pump? I had my fuel pump replaced just over 1 year ago and its only been driven 20000 miles since being replaced. Any other suggestions on what could be happening? Thanks in advance for the help.

Daenris

You should try to jump it anyway. I had a battery before that was dying and didn't have enough juice to start the car, but the starter and engine would still make noise like it was trying to start. The extra boost from a jump would let it start. If the jump works, then you'll want to get your battery checked, then your alternator if the battery is fine.

Could also be the starter is going bad since you said it sounds like it's "attempting to work." How mechanically inclined are you? If you pull the starter off a place like Autozone will test it for you (they'll also test batteries and alternators I think).

illig

If it's turning over but not starting then it's not the battery.

Next, you should check the basics:
1. Do you have fuel?
2. Do you have spark?

Those are the easiest to check since you can just unplug spark plug wires (you'll get quite a jolt if you're not careful) and look for spark to each cylinder while cranking.

Fuel is the same. 1st turn the key to the accessory position w/out cranking, and listen for your fuel pump priming... if you can't hear it, disconnect a fuel line over a bucket