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Car not starting


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My car not starting after several attempts, even after leaving the ignition switch on for few seconds before turning the engine. Ignition switch is making the click noise as it always does but car not starting at all. There was no engine misfire, engine oil leak nor any car starter problems noticed before. Please help guys.

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Car not starting has majorly three areas to doubt to complete the combustion cycle: Fuel, Spark and Oxygen. As you mentioned ignition switch is working fine, can you share some more details on when was car service last and when did you changed the spark plugs?

For oxygen, try removing and cleaning your air filter by compressed air or gently tapping on the floor. Just to eliminate air filter doubt you can even start the car without the air filter and if it starts the car then that means you have isolated the problem. Change the air filter first and do not drive without air filter - it was just a test. Next you can find out MAF (mass airflow sensor) plug and remove that plug from air filter neck to try to start the car. Clean the MAF plug with soft brush - no spray needed and put it back how it was.

For fuel, ask someone to come along with you and let them start the ignition switch half way and you stand next to engine bay with hood open to hear a long fuel pump prime (5-10 sec) and then tick of fuel relay. This means that fuel pump is sending fuel to the engine and fuel relay tick is completing the operation. If you don't hear any of these priming noise or tick means something wrong with fuel pump and that's why car not starting because there is no adequate fuel or fuel pressure.

For spark, battery having green eye is not enough always if battery is just getting weak and lost its required cranking amp to start the car. Have you tried to jump start with another car battery, as that will eliminate the battery and power related doubt.

Also Im not sure which pajero you drive, but if you have access to reach the spark plug HT leads, remove them gently, blow some air, clean with soft brush and put it back until you hear a proper click noise. May be some spark plug got some sand or got loose while driving and that's why car not starting all of sudden - rare, but possible.

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Let's root for each other & watch each other grow.

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If the engine is not turning over then it's either the battery or stuck starter.

If you have a voltmeter check how many volts in the battery should be around 12.4v if below, weak, if below 12,  dead.

If battery checks outs, then it's the starter. Use the old mechanics trick of giving it a few good whacks with a hammer and it should turn the engine over. But replace or refurb ASAP

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I tried everything and still car not starting guys, please help.

I cleaned air filter, maf socket, fuel pump pinging, tap the alternator, jump start with other car but nothing seems to start this car today. very weird.

Car is well serviced and I think last plug changed about 15k km on second last service.

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Let's start with the basics- does the engine crank (turn over) when you turn the key to the "START" position? 

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Yup not starting and engine not turning over are two different problems with a different set of remedies.

P.S : Don't tap the alternator, give it a good couple of blows. If you motor is not turning over that is.

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I called recovery today and they have tried to jump start but still car hasn't started.

Lights are all on, just that engine is not cranking at all. Finally recovery guy, open the battery terminal and clean the green powder stuff from inside the battery terminals, responsible for partial contact. After 30 minutes of detail cleaning and patience, car finally started in a single attempt.

They also checked the battery and said it's working fine on both when car is switched off and when car engine is running.

Thanks for all your help and advices, really appreciate it here.

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14 hours ago, desertdude said:

Yup not starting and engine not turning over are two different problems with a different set of remedies.

P.S : Don't tap the alternator, give it a good couple of blows. If you motor is not turning over that is.

Starter motor you mean? Hammering on an aluminium alternator doesn’t sound like a great idea. 

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