help! car won't start

vivekiny2k · 11th February 2007, 08:21

well, i have experienced it earlier frequently. When i stop after a long drive and try to start again within 5 mins, car won't start. i had to try after half an hour with full throttle and it worked.

I changed the battery after having this problem two months back, and today again had the same problem. in fact, after a few tries, nothing moved at all, the lights on dash went out indicating motor was going to kick off, and that's it. thankfully i had stopped near out aptt office, and we just walked to our aptt.

the only thing noticeable is temperature was around -10C.

I want back after 1.5 hrs and started it without a problem. I have heard of something like vapor condensation in the engine causing this type of problem, can somebody suggest what should i do to avoid it, and possible fixes on the car.

and yes, i am going to get my battery charging system checked tomorrow.

jyobeb · 11th February 2007, 10:30

1) Does your engine crank without starting?
Problem could be a defective starting coil/ vapour lock in the fuel system
2) If it does not crank at all, it could be a defective battery or even a defective starter motor. My friend had a similar problem in his Accent CRDI and it was finally pinned down to a defective starter motor. Why it gets affected by the heat, beats me though!

s0uljah · 11th February 2007, 11:39

While your at it get your alternator/rectifier plate checked.

jkdas · 11th February 2007, 11:43

the vanilla icecream problem?

danlalan · 11th February 2007, 12:07

Its definetly not the ignition coil..
Visit your local mechanic...check coolant,injectors..etc

2fast4u · 11th February 2007, 12:47

first hope u have the right grade Oil in the block for winter (overlooked many times).
if ur car gives error codes have them checked with ur manual.
check the cold start valve also known as Thermo switch on Water Pump (this is ur choke for fuel injected car)
check coolant temp sensor
also check intake manifold gasket as there could be some vaccum leak

vivekiny2k · 11th February 2007, 19:35

great, now i have some pointers.

my batttery is new and I changed oil (and topped coolant) 2 weeks back. it was same temperature then so they must have used the correct grade for winter. It's an overall cold area anyway.

it cranked first 2-3 times and then it just went dead. i forgot to verify from front but now i remember my headlight was on with full intensity. also it started later, so it's not the battery (or charging system) i guess.

I will have to take it to the mechanic anyway, but i am afraid they may not get the problem unless i reproduce it....and it has been very random.

yes jkdas, i do remember the vanilla icecream problem.

but not the solution

Deeps · 11th February 2007, 22:03

Happened on our diesel Indica also. The problem was traced to carbon build up in the starter motor and was rectified by cleaning the insides.

mithun · 14th February 2007, 06:08

Don't forget to check the solenoid switch also.

After all, which is your car ?

vivekiny2k · 14th February 2007, 10:49

ok, will do.

it's a 2002 mitsubishi galant.

vivekiny2k · 26th March 2007, 21:02

Ok,

coolant system was bad, replaced hoses, refilled the coolant. problem still there.

did some research, and it definitely looks like the starter solenoid/starter itself. But i have a strong suspicion my car is missing the heat shielding, since galant's don't have any reported problem like this.

Problem here is labour starts at 100$, and the shops straight away tell me to replace the starter (350-500 $). Since it starts fine on a cold start, I believe the starter is not THAT bad. and worst, what if it still doesn't fix the problem.

Any ideas on a DIY for heat shielding? remote Solenoid is a popular option on net, but will need tools and expertise i don't have. Plus i heard if done wrong, it can blow fuses, fans etc.

and lastly, does anybody have any diagrams that may help me understand the DIY solutions if any? will try to post the pics from under the hood soon.

11th February 2007, 08:21	#1
vivekiny2k Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: cincinnati, jabalpur,chennai Posts: 1,264 Thanked: 209 Times View My Garage	help! car won't start well, i have experienced it earlier frequently. When i stop after a long drive and try to start again within 5 mins, car won't start. i had to try after half an hour with full throttle and it worked. I changed the battery after having this problem two months back, and today again had the same problem. in fact, after a few tries, nothing moved at all, the lights on dash went out indicating motor was going to kick off, and that's it. thankfully i had stopped near out aptt office, and we just walked to our aptt. the only thing noticeable is temperature was around -10C. I want back after 1.5 hrs and started it without a problem. I have heard of something like vapor condensation in the engine causing this type of problem, can somebody suggest what should i do to avoid it, and possible fixes on the car. and yes, i am going to get my battery charging system checked tomorrow.
	() Thanks

11th February 2007, 10:30	#2
jyobeb Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Madurai Posts: 1,010 Thanked: 704 Times	1) Does your engine crank without starting? Problem could be a defective starting coil/ vapour lock in the fuel system 2) If it does not crank at all, it could be a defective battery or even a defective starter motor. My friend had a similar problem in his Accent CRDI and it was finally pinned down to a defective starter motor. Why it gets affected by the heat, beats me though!
	() Thanks

11th February 2007, 11:39	#3
s0uljah Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: BLR Posts: 2,222 Thanked: 26 Times View My Garage	While your at it get your alternator/rectifier plate checked.
	() Thanks

11th February 2007, 11:43	#4
jkdas Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Thiruvananthapu Posts: 9,687 Thanked: 1,492 Times View My Garage	the vanilla icecream problem?
	(1) Thanks

11th February 2007, 12:07	#5
danlalan Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: mumbai,JUHU Posts: 1,636 Thanked: 263 Times View My Garage	Its definetly not the ignition coil.. Visit your local mechanic...check coolant,injectors..etc
	() Thanks

11th February 2007, 12:47	#6
2fast4u BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: pune / Bahrain Posts: 488 Thanked: 7 Times View My Garage	first hope u have the right grade Oil in the block for winter (overlooked many times). if ur car gives error codes have them checked with ur manual. check the cold start valve also known as Thermo switch on Water Pump (this is ur choke for fuel injected car) check coolant temp sensor also check intake manifold gasket as there could be some vaccum leak
	() Thanks

11th February 2007, 19:35	#7
vivekiny2k Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: cincinnati, jabalpur,chennai Posts: 1,264 Thanked: 209 Times View My Garage	great, now i have some pointers. my batttery is new and I changed oil (and topped coolant) 2 weeks back. it was same temperature then so they must have used the correct grade for winter. It's an overall cold area anyway. it cranked first 2-3 times and then it just went dead. i forgot to verify from front but now i remember my headlight was on with full intensity. also it started later, so it's not the battery (or charging system) i guess. I will have to take it to the mechanic anyway, but i am afraid they may not get the problem unless i reproduce it....and it has been very random. yes jkdas, i do remember the vanilla icecream problem. but not the solution Last edited by vivekiny2k : 11th February 2007 at 19:37.
	() Thanks

11th February 2007, 22:03	#8
Deeps Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Delhi/Noida Posts: 1,116 Thanked: 170 Times	Happened on our diesel Indica also. The problem was traced to carbon build up in the starter motor and was rectified by cleaning the insides.
	() Thanks

14th February 2007, 06:08	#9
mithun BANNED Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Cochin Posts: 2,195 Thanked: 268 Times	Don't forget to check the solenoid switch also. After all, which is your car ?
	() Thanks

14th February 2007, 10:49	#10
vivekiny2k Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: cincinnati, jabalpur,chennai Posts: 1,264 Thanked: 209 Times View My Garage	ok, will do. it's a 2002 mitsubishi galant.
	() Thanks

26th March 2007, 21:02	#11
vivekiny2k Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: cincinnati, jabalpur,chennai Posts: 1,264 Thanked: 209 Times View My Garage	Ok, coolant system was bad, replaced hoses, refilled the coolant. problem still there. did some research, and it definitely looks like the starter solenoid/starter itself. But i have a strong suspicion my car is missing the heat shielding, since galant's don't have any reported problem like this. Problem here is labour starts at 100$, and the shops straight away tell me to replace the starter (350-500 $). Since it starts fine on a cold start, I believe the starter is not THAT bad. and worst, what if it still doesn't fix the problem. Any ideas on a DIY for heat shielding? remote Solenoid is a popular option on net, but will need tools and expertise i don't have. Plus i heard if done wrong, it can blow fuses, fans etc. and lastly, does anybody have any diagrams that may help me understand the DIY solutions if any? will try to post the pics from under the hood soon.
	() Thanks