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Car Start up problem
Hey all
I have a problem with my car recently. I have trouble starting my car the past few days, but my alternator was just changed 2 years ago. My battery is less than 4 years old, and my dashboard warning light is not on. Today after work, suddenly the Engine RPM went extremely low and the engine sounded like it was struggling to keep going. It was the first time this kinda of situation happened before.
Anyone can help here?
Thanks
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Maybe give some free advice about: Cars?
If by any chance you are mechanically inclined. i would take out the starter and take it to any auto parts store ie. kragen, auto zone, pep boys, advance auto. they can test it typically for free. This definately sounds like a case of the starter going out. the engine rpms could have been numerous things. check battery connections. if they are loose at all the alternator will kick on and off cause the rpms to rise and fall. like someone else said check pcv vavles fuel filter fuel pump, another thing to keep in mind is that if the car is old it probably needs its fuel system cleaned. take it to a jiffy lube or any other type of oil changers and they can typically do it for pretty cheap. also check spark plugs and wires. it may just be time for a tune up. typically on older cars you could do this yourself with just a screwdriver and a socket wrench. i would check and possibly replace in this order
1.starter
2. fuel filter
3. fuel pump
4. pcv valve (in order to test remove the valve and put your thumb over the vacuum line. if the car starts right up that may be your problem
5. spark plugs, spark plug wires
6. distributor cap and rotor
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Replace/Clean the PCV valve
Check IAT sensor
Various fuses
Fuel Filter
Fuel Pump
Spark Plugs
Plug Wires
Idle Air Control sensor
You need 4 things to make an engine work; Fuel, Air, Spark, Compression
That list will check your fuel, air, and spark. Consider taking it to any random car parts place (I'm a fan of Advance Auto) and asking for thm to use a code reader on your car (pending OBDII technology in the car). After that, take it to a mechanic for compression testing.
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check the clutch (if it's a manual) the clutchplate could have broken thus keeping the engine and the transmission seperated. also check the starter with a metal dowel rod and just tap on the starter a bit. also check the air filter (like was said) and the fuel injectors, fuel lines. and well your description is pretty vague. i'm a mechanic but i can't diagnose the problem off of that alone
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well it couldve been just a fluke, but you said youve been havin trouble starting it for a few days. if it keeps happening id go thru the trouble to get it into the shop, tell them whats been happening as detailed as you can, and let the pros sort it out. one thing thats often true of cars when something isent operating properly, the longer you wait the worse and more expensive it will be. an nothing irritates me more than knowing id have saved a hundred bucks if id just quit driving it and taken it in. also the newer the car the more stuff is computer controlled, but anything (older the car the more it could be)thats not hooked into the onboard computer isent likely to give you a warning light.
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I'm no auto mechanic but I play one on TV. (Just kidding on the TV part). Could be a number a things. One easy thing I would first check is the air filter. If you haven't changed that in awhile, chances are it's all plugged up with dirt. This could cause some hard starting and rough idling if not enough air is getting to the fuel. Speaking of fuel, the fuel filter itself could be plugged and may need replacing. Lack of fuel going through would also cause hard starting and rough idling. The fuel itself could be bad (might have some water in it). Did this just start happening after a trip to the gas station? Other than that, could be a lot of different things.... bad spark plug(s)... the timing is off... any number of things in the ignition system.
Check that air filter first. Other than that, a quick trip to a mechanic so they can run a diagnostic test on it to pinpoint the problem. I don't think it sounds like anything major at this point!
Good luck!
G.
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is it a automatic or a manual?
manual - maybe you didnt notice and you just shifted it wierd. or it wasnt in the gear you though. thats the only thing i can think of that would make it do that...
automatic- maybe your transmision is messing up.
as for why it isnt showing that the check engine light is on... sometimes that doesnt always catch it.
it was prolly a freak thing and wont ever happen again. but thats all i can think of to tell you.
-jodie
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