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Car not starting


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Could be still your starter is funky it happens when at multiple attempts it just starts but then gain out of the blue it will not start...it's a good time to take it to workshop

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2 hours ago, Barry said:

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

Oops! Yes you are absolutely right!

7 hours ago, Derick said:

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.

And cleaning the battery terminal didn't occur to you during all your under hood inspection and trouble shooting, since you describe it as all gunked up. 

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On 8/12/2019 at 3:41 PM, Gaurav said:

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.

This good advice and no offence intended, but the no spark triangle mechanics look for is air/fuel, spark, and compression. You need these 3 things to make an engine start. 

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2 hours ago, Barry said:

This good advice and no offence intended, but the no spark triangle mechanics look for is air/fuel, spark, and compression. You need these 3 things to make an engine start. 

...and perhaps an alternator that has not been whacked with a hammer to keep it running.

Edited by treks
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Totally agree with @Javier M as something very similar happened with my Mustang and I kept on charging with my other cars for over 2 hours and in end spotted the metal corrosion on battery was responsible for not starting the car.

In my case there was a partial cranking after every a minute or two and I kept on charging the battery.

This is the dielectric grease usage in several places to prevent corrosion.

 

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

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On 8/12/2019 at 8:54 PM, Derick said:

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

If it's well serviced then you won't face terminal funkyness in the first place...

Edited by shadow79
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15 hours ago, shadow79 said:

 

If it's well serviced then you won't face terminal funkyness in the first place...

How often do you see battery terminals with post grease on them though? I’ve never even seen it on dealer serviced cars. Servicing in UAE generally means an oil and filter change, if you’re lucky they might blow out the air filter with an air line. 

I have a few spare cans of battery post grease if anyone needs some. 

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11 minutes ago, Barry said:

I have a few spare cans of battery post grease if anyone needs some. 

I def need one, save one for me please and ill arrange to pick it up. Thnx

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

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