Car keeps cranking over when not holding key, but still wont start

My cars rpm keeps going up and down, while it is chugging and getting ready to die. I put car in neutral and press on gas to keep it running. When I. Shut car off and try to restart the car cranks and will not release, it keeps cranking even when I let go of key. When it stops the car still will not start. Took to dealer and they don't know what's wrong with it since it didn't do that to them, it started for them. This car has left me stranded 4x already. I just don't know what it is or what to have fixed

My car has 73000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
It sounds like you have 2 problems here, the starter and an engine stalling problem. The starter problem is probably the starter solenoid, a power switch (integrated into the starter assembly) that takes a small current from the ignition switch and engages a large current at the starter. The contacts in the solenoid can burn over time, "sticking", which can cause the starter "run-on" like you described, and a "no crank" condition, because the same burned contacts don’t pass heavy current very well. The poor idling may be due to a dirty idle air control valve, dirty throttle body, or air leak in the intake system of the engine. I would recommend having YourMechanic dispatch a mobile, professional mechanic to your location to do a (Starter Replacement)[https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/starter-replacement] and car starting trouble inspection.

How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :

Sometimes a bad starter solenoid, instead of preventing the engine from starting, may cause it to start on its own without the key being turned to the “start” position.” This less-common problem can be dangerous and should be addressed immediately.
Blown Fuse

If there has been a surge, a fuse that controls the fuel pump, the fuel injectors, or another component that`s vital for your car`s functioning, it may be the cause of your car`s failure to start. Unlike most of the other problems, this is one that you can check yourself, if you want.

If your vehicle won`t start, it`s usually caused by a dying or dead battery, loose or corroded connection cables, a bad alternator or an issue with the starter. It can be hard to determine if you`re dealing with a battery or an alternator problem. Here`s how to know which one is the culprit.
The most common reason your car starts then dies immediately is because of a lack of fuel in the engine. This often happens because there is a small amount of fuel in the fuel rail, which helps to start the engine. However, there is no fuel pressure to keep the engine running.
The constant fuses are the fuses that light up your circuit tester. If you find a combination of both constant and switched fuses in your fuse box – great!
Why won`t my car start but the battery is good? If your car won`t start but the battery is good, the most common cause is a faulty starter – though it could also be to do with your fuel. You may have insufficient fuel to get the car going.
The most common reason a car cranks too long is due to poor circulation of fuel. If there isn`t enough fuel reaching over for combustion, the engine will not be able to generate sufficient energy to turn over as normal.
With a cranking system, symptoms are divided into one of three possible troubleshooting categories: Click — No-Crank (solenoid clicks but starter doesn`t crank) No-Click — No-Crank (solenoid doesn`t click/starter doesn`t crank) Slow Crank (starter cranks, but engine RPM slow to start vehicle)
A: Possible causes: a marginal battery, a poor connection in the starting circuit or starter, a charging-system problem, or the battery is being drained while the car`s parked. If this only happens first thing in the morning, a weak battery or a drain in the electrical system are likely causes.
When the starter solenoid decides to call it quits, the starter motor won`t work, either. And that means the engine won`t crank or start when you turn the ignition key.
A constant fuse is a fuse that stays on all the time, supplying power even when the vehicle`s engine is turned off. And an ACC/ignition switch fuse depends on the vehicle`s ignition – this fuse slot only provides power when you turn your car`s key turn to ACC position.
A manifold vacuum and/or barometric pressure, throttle position, engine RPM, coolant temperature, and vehicle speed sensor all modify the timing program.
Bad Spark Plug Or Broken Distributor Cap/Rotor

If you have a good battery and enough fuel in the gas tank and your car still won`t start, chances are you have a bad spark plug. Why? A bad spark plug will prevent fuel ignition, and the vehicle won`t move.

Starter motors should make noise when you turn your ignition key fully to activate your car. If you turn the key and do not hear anything, there`s a chance that there`s something wrong with the vehicle`s ignition switch.
How Long Can You Let Your Car Idle? Idling your car for 30 seconds to a minute is acceptable, and it will not cause any harm to your vehicle. With advanced technology, even if you let your car idle for a slight longer duration, it will not damage it.
Cranking is the act of pedaling with an emphasis on power and speed. Example usage: I was cranking hard on the last stretch of the race. Most used in: Cycling communities around the world. Most used by: Cyclists that take part in competitive events.
If the relay fails it will cut off power to fuel pump and ignition system, which will result in a no power, and therefore no start condition. You may find that turning the key may power on the accessories, and may even crank the engine.
A dead battery is the most common reason why engines fail to start up. A common reason for batteries to fail is drain. Your car`s battery typically expends a small portion of its storage to start your car up, and then recharges from your alternator as you move.
Between the vehicle`s battery and the starter motor, the starter relay acts as a circuit completer or circuit breaker. It helps to increase the battery`s current so that less current needs to be ignited.
The starter is an electric motor that cranks the engine, effectively starting the car. It is under the hood, usually on the passenger side at the bottom of the motor next to the transmission. The ignition switch is a set of electrical contacts that activates the starter and usually is located on the steering column.
If your starter relay has gone bad, the electrical signal will never make it from the battery to the starter motor. As a result, your engine won`t turn over – no matter how many times you turn the key. A faulty relay often produces an audible clicking sound when you turn your car.
If the starter engages but does not disengage when you let go of the key, the solenoid is likely bad and the starter may suffer significant damage as a result. Sometimes your car starts, sometimes it doesn`t. Intermittent operation can be a sign of a failing starter solenoid.
Grab a multimeter and set it to Ohms. Touch the leads across the electromagnet coil pins and measure resistance. Anywhere from 50-120 ohms is OK. Out of range or open means a bad electromagnet coil winding and time for a new relay.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Car keeps cranking over when not holding key, but still wont start
ANSWER : It sounds like you have 2 problems here, the starter and an engine stalling problem. The starter problem is probably the starter solenoid, a power switch (integrated into the starter assembly) that takes a small current from the ignition switch and engages a large current at the starter. The contacts in the solenoid can burn over time, "sticking", which can cause the starter "run-on" like you described, and a "no crank" condition, because the same burned contacts don’t pass heavy current very well. The poor idling may be due to a dirty idle air control valve, dirty throttle body, or air leak in the intake system of the engine. I would recommend having YourMechanic dispatch a mobile, professional mechanic to your location to do a (Starter Replacement)[https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/starter-replacement] and car starting trouble inspection.

Read Full Q/A … : Car keeps cranking over when not holding key, but still wont start

When I go to crank my car the key stays in the start position and the car is constantly trying to crank itself.
ANSWER : First, let’s make sure about some terminology before I proceed. I will assume the motor is actually turning over. If the car is trying to start, the motor has to be turning over or it is not trying to start. This is an important distinction when diagnosing the starting system. As a technician, I go to different parts of the system based on this description.

If the key is stuck in the start position, this is a ignition lock cylinder issue and the reason the starter continues to turn the motor over. If the starter is turning but the motor is not, then the starter is likely the problem. Either that or the teeth on the flex plate are all gone. This would require removing the transmission to repair.

If the car runs intermittently, this can be a big challenge. And it also means the starting system is working. It will need to be diagnosed when it is failing. A working car cannot be diagnosed because there is nothing wrong. Where you park your car should not have any affect. It certainly could be a wiring problem. Wiring problems hide really well and can happen anywhere in the miles of wires that are in your car. Isolating the system that is failing is really important here. At the moment I am unsure which system is failing. Starter system, ignition lock cylinder and or ignition switch electrical or something with the engine control system.

When the car is failing, you need to check for spark and fuel pressure. If neither is present, this is a clue. Usually the crank sensor will do this. Does your car have a tachometer? If so, does it move at all when cranking. This is a clue whether or not the cam and or crank sensor is working. Is there a Check Engine Light on with the key on? If there is a Check Engine Light, the code or codes can be used for specific diagnosis.

All of these concerns will send you down a diagnostic path. Be sure not to confuse yourself by misinterpreting multiple system failures. If the key does stick in the start position, this would be the first problem to solve. After that, does the motor actually turn when the starter turns? After that, the question of "Why won’t it start?" is first answered by finding what the motor is lacking. Fuel, spark etc… Good luck.

If you need assistance with these checks, contact a certified mechanic who has the tools and experience needed to properly diagnose this starting issue with your car.

Read Full Q/A … : Car keeps cranking over when not holding key, but still wont start

Car cranks but won’t start
ANSWER : Hi there. It sounds like the spare key isn’t being recognized by the immobilizer system. The method you stated that you performed sounded like the procedure to manually program the wireless fob portion to lock and unlock the doors. If the key isn’t programmed or the immobilizer system has lost the registration, then it will need to be completed and this usually has to be completed by the dealer. Unfortunately, Your Mechanic does not offer key programming services. Your Mechanic does have available technicians that come to your home or office to perform requested services, inspections, and repairs. Feel free to schedule your next service at www.yourmechanic.com.

Read Full Q/A … : Car keeps cranking over when not holding key, but still wont start

Car was sometimes not starting, not even cranking when i turned the key then after a few times itd start. Now it ont start at all
ANSWER : Hi there:

Without being there to inspect your vehicle, or having information about what type of car, truck or SUV you own, it’s very hard for us to give you some advice. You might want to have a professional mobile mechanic complete a car is hard to start inspection; so they can come to your location and determine why your vehicle is having these issues.

Read Full Q/A … : Car keeps cranking over when not holding key, but still wont start

My car will not start Intermittently. I purchased a new battery 2 weeks ago and yesterday the car wouldn’t start. Got a jump and
ANSWER : The issue you are having is probably due to an intermittent fault in the starter motor itself or a deficiency in the starter electrical circuit, for example a large voltage drop due to a poor ground or a high resistance connection. These issues can be readily diagnosed and resolved on a mobile basis if you request a hard starting diagnostic. If you request that diagnostic, the responding certified mechanic will get this resolved for you promptly. Based on Toyota’s Factory Service Manual, the battery should not be disconnected if the vehicle engine is running. The battery acts as a large resistive voltage sink and consequently taking the battery out of the circuit, while the alternator is still running, can create a voltage spike on the car’s electrical system which is not good for voltage sensitive components such as the engine computer. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

Read Full Q/A … : Car keeps cranking over when not holding key, but still wont start

how to fix no keys issue if i dont have the car’s keys
ANSWER : The 2010 Maxima uses the ’Nissan Intelligent Key" system. The only way to start the car is to have the key fob in the vehicle while using the start button. There is no way to defeat this requirement as this is part of the engine immobilizer system. If the key fob is lost, one can be procured from a Nissan dealer. If somehow your vehicle was equipped with a transponder chip key (instead of the Intelligent Key system), you must have a transponder chip that is programmed specifically to your vehicle. If you need the assistance of a Mechanic, dispatched by YourMechanic right to your location, please request an electrical component diagnostic and the responding certified mechanic will assist you in obtaining a replacement key fob or transponder key. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

Read Full Q/A … : Car keeps cranking over when not holding key, but still wont start

Map sensor car won’t start up good ?
ANSWER : Your MAP sensor is an important input for your computer. It helps determine the load on the engine to calculate the correct amount of fuel to inject. It sometimes takes a few seconds for the vehicle to realize that the sensor is not producing a good signal.

At that point, it will use other methods to determine the fuel rate, such as pre-programmed fuel maps, throttle position, etc. I would suggest replacing the MAP sensor and retesting. If you would like to have it checked first, a certified technician from YourMechanic will be able to scan your vehicle and test components to determine the root cause of your starting issue before making a repair.

Read Full Q/A … : Car keeps cranking over when not holding key, but still wont start

I put the wrong key in my car and a few weeks later my car just shut down and it will not start I believe it’s the computer but…
ANSWER : Hi there. What had happened is the wrong key set the security to the vehicle. This is to prevent the vehicle from starting with the wrong keys. Try removing the battery cables (+) and (-) for 13 minutes. During that time, put the original key in the ignition and turn it on. Activate everything in the car even though there is no power. Then remove the key and hook up the battery cables. The computer should have reset and reset the security. If the security is still being tripped, then I recommend seeking out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you

Read Full Q/A … : Car keeps cranking over when not holding key, but still wont start

Eric smoalih

I am a certified master technician with the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), and I have been working as an auto mechanic for over 15 years. I am passionate about my work, and I take great pride in helping people keep their cars running smoothly.