Team-BHP - "My Car Won't Start"

Team-BHP (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/)

- Technical Stuff (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/technical-stuff/)

- - "My Car Won't Start" | What To Do (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/technical-stuff/132166-my-car-wont-start-what-do-14.html)

I had a 2000 MPFI Esteem. All engine problems started when it ran without water once. After that I tried every thing - head repair, piston change and all associated changes. Did not help much. So I sold it to some one who drives it occasionally and keeps it primarily to show that he has a car.

You can go in for a major engine overhaul, but only after you get a written warranty (both mileage and time) from MASS. Otherwise bear with it.

Another reason for car not starting could be due to dirty fuel from a rusty tank/old fuel in the tank. Our old Zen (2005) refused to start the other day. After the stupid MASS guy changed the timing belt before I arrived which was not required, they stumbled across the tappet not moving issue. This luckily led them to check the fuel quality and then somehow the rusty tank. The car had CNG so petrol was not used much and there was always old fuel which made the tank rusty.

Got the tank changed and they cleaned the tappet and injectors. Looks like the Zen will survive this, fingers crossed!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prowler (Post 3039272)

I have some experience with Isuzu 4FB1 engines. First thing is check if the starter runs 'fast enough'. If the battery is not fully charged, the starter won't turn the engine at the required rpm. Most old Indirect injection engines require a fast enough starting.

Is this phenomenon common with the 4ZB1 Petrol engine too? I am facing slow crank issues in my '93 Contessa. Sometimes the starter turns fast enough to start the engine in 2-3 cranks but many times it struggles to churn & gives an impression that battery is dead. I have checked the battery & it seems fine. Was weak last month so got it charged up 'off' the car.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KkVaidya (Post 3607749)

Do check the battery checked by a shop once. Charging off the car may not be sufficient at times.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KkVaidya (Post 3607749)

Yes. All IC engines require certain rpm for faster firing. Check your battery terminals for oxidation. Clean the terminals and the contact posts before fitting them back. Starter motors need hundreds of Amperes of current for turning over the engine. Any loose connection results in lowering the voltage - thus slowing down the motor.

Check your battery under load. Turn on the headlights and note the difference in Volt reading before any load is applied and then under load. The difference should be less than a fraction of a Volt in a healthy battery (when fully charged).

Today morning while starting my car it cranked for sometime and stopped. Tried again and it did not even crank for the next 10 minutes but luckily after half an hour the car started and I took the car directly to ford service (I have a fiesta classic which slightly more than 3 years old).
Did a battery test and report suggested battery replacement :(. Since I am in a hurry asked them to replace with the one they call Race with 2 year warranty.
I understand I could have got better deals outside but how bad is the one I got?
Also I was expecting the car to crank again immediately after my first try but it took more than 30 minutes to crank again, is it because he battery became very weak aftr first try?

Car: Fiat Linea Tjet 2014
KMs Run: 4995
Problem: Not starting

Emergency service personnel said they smell diesel in the car. And this happened after i filled up the car [40L] at the same bunk where we have been fueling up for the past two years. Can't be driver error. Checked in dash cam. He filled up the car where there is only Petrol pumps in the bunk.

Bad fuel? Don't know.

Car went on a flat bed today morning. Waiting for service center update.

Note: I have rat issues where i park. Told them that as well.

Yesterday afternoon, my XUV 500, parked inside the home garage, did not start. I could not even unlock the door using the remote key. I started imagining from rat-bite to ecu failure to dead battery. Finally, it turned out to be the dead battery. The details are here.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nik0502 (Post 3586308)

Note :- Humble request to the Mods, please do not merge this with any existing thread. This is the 3rd time I am posting about my problem and not getting much help.
nIk

Hey there,

A very difficult to read post.

Would suggest smaller paragraphs.

Thanks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nik0502 (Post 3586308)

Current problem-

Just few days ago the problem started again. After driving for few kms the engine oil light starts glowing and if I shut down the car after that it won't start. I took the car to MASS and was advised to get the oil pump changed. Left the car at MASS got a call from them stating timing belt also needs replacement. Got the car the very next day with a bill of 4k. To my horror the Engine oil was still glowing after driving for few kms and the cranking problem was still there. Went back to MASS they adjusted the timing. Deleted all the error codes and returned the car and as expected the problem was still there. I went back and now MASS wants me to get the engine rebuild which will cost 25 k to 30 k because as per them the engine has become very noisy.

I have no clue what I am supposed to do. Can you folks help me ? The car is excellent otherwise. The pick up is great. It returns exceptional FE. There is no engine oil consumption.

nIk

Seems your car is screwed-up by converting to CNG!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by nik0502 (Post 3586308)

...the mech arranged for a head from an accidental car and fit it in my car. And the problem was resolved.

...the car has hit from the bottom and is leaking oil.
...oil pump which needs to be changed.
...the Engine oil was still glowing after driving for few kms and the cranking problem was still there.
...MASS wants me to get the engine rebuild which will cost 25 k to 30 k because as per them the engine has become very noisy.

The car is excellent otherwise. The pick up is great. It returns exceptional FE. There is no engine oil consumption.

Okay, to summarize:

The engine had a cracked head, which was replaced
It had a sump hit with damaged oil pump, and both were replaced
Car still refuses to crank
Engine oil warning lamp stays on after a few km
Engine is noisy

Yet you report great pick up, excellent FE and no engine oil consumption.

Fine. Can you check for the following and report back?

Smoke from tailpipe on cold start, warmed up and idling, and on full throttle acceleration (get a friend to follow in another car and check)
Condition of coolant - whether there are traces of oil in the coolant
Smoke from the dipstick and oil filler cap when the engine is idling
Compression test report for each cylinder
Temperature gauge reading when the engine refuses to crank
A photograph of the spark plugs without cleaning them

Quote:

Originally Posted by SS-Traveller (Post 3650871)

Okay, to summarize:[*]The engine had a cracked head, which was replaced[*]It had a sump hit with damaged oil pump, and both were replaced[*]Car still refuses to crank[*]Engine oil warning lamp stays on after a few km[*]Engine is noisyYet you report great pick up, excellent FE and no engine oil consumption.
[*]A photograph of the spark plugs without cleaning them

Hi SS - Traveller

Yes, the car had no drop in pick up. It was not consuming engine oil. No oil & coolant mixing. The spark plugs used to remain clean. The temp used to remain normal.

I have got the engine rebuilt now so can't give you the photographs. The problem remained the same even after the engine rebuild. The car won't crank after driving for couple of kms. Once I had to push the car for almost a KM. Frustrated and confused I reached the mech's place who than swapped the battery of the car. And the car is absolutely fine post that. And have become very smooth post engine rebuild. I have driven approx 700 kms after battery change. Car seems to be fine.

nIk

Quote:

Originally Posted by nik0502 (Post 3650892)

Car seems to be fine.

Oh - okay. Didn't notice it was a 3+-month-old post.

Enjoy the drive.

Hi,

My Linea MJD is showing an awkward problem since a few weeks. The car after driven for a considerable distance (~60 km or more), happens to be turned off, wont start even after multiple and cranks with sufficient interval. But once i let it cool for 15 minutes it starts fine.

This has happened thrice. All these times there were 5 on board and AC was on as I never drive this car without AC. Narrating the three unlucky events.

First Occurrence

Started off one morning, nearly 8 am to visit an acquaintance who was 90 km away. There were no troubles till I reached we reached the destination. The car was parked on the road for 2 hours and on my way back, I pulled over near a shop (20 km away from the relative's house) and kept the engine idling as my son went out to buy some snacks. All of a sudden, the engine stops. I turned the key back and cranked. Not starting :eek: Repeated 4-5 times and resorted to call the RSA and as I was finding the Fiat RSA contact number I thought of cranking again and the engine started. Some fifteen minutes went by when I searched the number. Since it has started I drove back home without any problems.

Second Occurrence
Few weeks after first occurence.
Reached the venue of my friend's marriage after driving 100 km and there was moderate traffic in the road and engine was quite hot when i stopped the car. Didn't hear the usual radiator fan running sound, maybe because I stopped too fast and literally didn't idle for even 5 seconds when I parked the car. After a minute, i thought of parking it to a better spot and I got in and cranked the engine. Not starting-the same problem. Did one more attempt, failed. Waited till ceremony was over and tried to start again and it started with ease.

Third Occurrence
On the same day as on second occurence on my way back. Same set of things : cranking and not starting and waiting but this time I was in a busy junction, blocking many others on a crowded road :Frustrati
The engine stalled when I carelessly tried to start off in second gear to pass a busy junction with my whole family on board with AC. The car doesn't seem to start and I saw a cop coming and luckily he didn't yell at me for causing thee jam. He asked me what happened and I told him the car would take some time to start. He told me to move it to a side. Everyone got out of the car and one generous young man, on seeing this came to help me push the car to the other side of the road. This time also after 15 minutes, the car started and I drove home thinking about the slogan and the reality : Admiration(Helping hand) guaranteed.

In short

Engine was warm in all three circumstances
The car had more than 10 liters of fuel left when it stalled
Never had cold start problems even if the car had been lying for more than a week and would start in one crank.
The starter seems to be normal and the cranking is not weak when the engine refuses to start.
Hasn't happened during short trips.
The car does not show any indication on MID.
The immobilizer light has come on for a few seconds at times but not during the days in which the car has broke down Does it indicate a bad battery?

What can be the possible causes ? Have anyone experienced a similar problem?

Start by getting the battery evaluated. Then the glow plugs .And the airfilter, hoses etc. I drive a linea and had a bit of starting trouble which was traced down to a busted glow plug.

I expect the more technically adept members to come out with better suggestions.

This is a frustrating problem.