Why won’t the starter motor engage and turn engine over. Also, the clutch pedal won’t move and the clutch is partly engaged but slips.
So we picked this car up for 900 bucks with a supposedly knackered engine, we thought it would be a good idea to put a battery in to see if it would turn over, but we got some weird things like the brake lights won't turn off even without the keys in, and the starter solenoid won't engage the starter motor, we then tried to bump the motor over but the clutch pedal is stuck in the fully engaged position, so that wasn't going to work, then when we tried to move the car we accidentally left it in gear but we only noticed after we moved it because the clutch was slipping so much that w
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
If the clutch pedal is not moving and the clutch is partially applied, then the clutch release bearing may be damaged and the fork is jammed into the clutch forcing it to slip.
For the no start condition on the starter, try tapping on the starter solenoid and see if the starter engages. If the starter does not engage, then remove the starter and see if it engages without the engine. If the starter does engage, then try to crank the engine over by hand and see if it turns. If the engine does not turn, then the bearings may be locked up or there could be an issue inside the engine. If the engine does move, then the starter needs to be replaced. For the brake lights not shutting off, the brake light switch could be applied as it may be not connected properly on the brake pedal. Check to see the location of the brake pedal light switch and adjust the location to relax the switch. If the switch is relaxed, then the brake light switch would need replaced.
I recommend seeking out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you with the no start and clutch issue.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
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If the starter motor spins but does not crank the engine, you likely have a problem with… Faulty or damaged battery. To address this issues, check the battery and charging system for problems.
A clutch that won`t engage at all means there is serious damage somewhere. Check for a bent linkage, a seized slave cylinder, or a seized throw-out bearing. Beyond those, check for binding in the linkage, a corroded cable, or a failed friction plate.
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 starter drive clutch transmits torque from an electrical motor to a ring gear mounted on a cranking shaft in an engine thus cranks the engine. The clutch also prevents the whole starter from damage caused by extremely high load and/or extremely high speed applied to the starter pinion from the engine.
When you have a bad starter solenoid, the starter motor won`t work. This means the engine won`t start when you turn on the starter switch or press the start button. However, if your vehicle has an automatic transmission, the engine could sometimes not crank because of the neutral safety switch.
The starter solenoid is above the starter motor. The threaded terminal at left would connect to the battery through a heavy cable. At the right end of the solenoid coil, a linkage inside the housing would engage the pinion visible in the housing at the right side of the motor.
Why Is it Sticking? Your clutch pedal connects to its operating system via a cable. If the cable becomes stretched, then it loses some of the tension it needs to work. And if the cable breaks, then the clutch loses its connection and may stay down and fail to rise at all.
If you don`t hear clicking when you start the engine, the problem may be a dead battery. If you hear clicking, but the engine doesn`t crank, the starter might not be getting enough electricity. Using your owner`s manual and a voltmeter, you should be able to test functionality.
The starter can spin without engaging with the flywheel , or jam in engagement. In an inertia starter, dirt in the spiral Bendix thread is the usual reason for it not engaging. Remove the starter (See Checking and replacing the starter motor ) and clean the gear thoroughly with petrol and a paintbrush.
Engine does not start
Even if the clutch is pressed all the way to the floor, the vehicle is in park, and your car still will not turn on, it could be a faulty clutch switch. If this happens, the vehicle will be inoperable until you contact a professional mechanic to have your clutch switch replaced.
To achieve this, many modern manual vehicles use a clutch switch (or clutch sensor) which is a small component located under the dashboard near the clutch pedal. Its job is to prevent the car from starting unless the clutch pedal is pressed down, disengaging the transmission form the engine.
The starter solenoid is an electromagnetic switch that engages the starter motor. How can I tell if my starter solenoid is bad? If you`re having trouble cranking the engine over but the battery is charged, or if your starter won`t disengage after starting the engine, it`s likely a starter solenoid issue.
If the starter spins but does not crank the engine, the likely cause would be: a bad overrunning clutch.
Although rare, a weak solenoid can allow the starter to spin without engaging the engine`s flywheel or flexplate. In such a scenario, you`ll hear the starter spinning, but the engine won`t crank.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
Why won’t the starter motor engage and turn engine over. Also, the clutch pedal won’t move and the clutch is partly engaged but slips.
ANSWER : If the clutch pedal is not moving and the clutch is partially applied, then the clutch release bearing may be damaged and the fork is jammed into the clutch forcing it to slip.
For the no start condition on the starter, try tapping on the starter solenoid and see if the starter engages. If the starter does not engage, then remove the starter and see if it engages without the engine. If the starter does engage, then try to crank the engine over by hand and see if it turns. If the engine does not turn, then the bearings may be locked up or there could be an issue inside the engine. If the engine does move, then the starter needs to be replaced. For the brake lights not shutting off, the brake light switch could be applied as it may be not connected properly on the brake pedal. Check to see the location of the brake pedal light switch and adjust the location to relax the switch. If the switch is relaxed, then the brake light switch would need replaced.
I recommend seeking out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you with the no start and clutch issue.
Clutch pedal didn’t engage and slipped when shifting
ANSWER : Hey there, thanks for writing in about your 2014 Nissan 370Z. It sounds like there may have been a spot of moisture in the light or a component in the clutch hydraulic system may be malfunctioning. Moisture can cause problems during operation when the clutch gets hot and failing hydraulic components can cause the system to lose pressure and slip which will heat up the clutch. If you would like to have this done, a professional from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to inspect the clutch pedal and perform the appropriate repairs.
Engine turned off but inside of car still on, now engine won’t turn back on.
ANSWER : Hi there. The symptoms you’re describing with your boyfriend’s 2002 Grand Cherokee appear to be related to a broken or worn out ignition switch or relay. The ignition switch on the inside of the steering column is attached to multiple electronic connections that send signals to a relay box; which in turn, sends the signal to the individual components. The issue could be related to the ignition switch, the relay, or any of the components in between. If you want to have the fault pinpointed in person, I would have this starting issue inspected by a trained professional to ensure that the correct repair is made.
Just replaced head gasket, changed crack sensor new plugs. The check engine light is on, but dim, the only other light that the dash is a normal battery indicator. The fuel pump is not running when switch is turned on, the power windows don’t work, it turns over but not firing. It’s like only one part of the system is working. Also the heater fans work even if the switch is off.
ANSWER : I would first look at the diagnostic trouble codes. Those codes are available because the check engine light is on. If the fuel pump is not running (momentarily) at key on, that fault alone will prevent the car from starting as there will be no fuel pressure. Pump output and pressure can be directly tested and you can also check for electrical power to the pump. To find out why the engine will not run, the recommended diagnostic is a no start diagnostic. If you request that service, the responding certified mechanic will get this taken care of for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
Starter engaging but not turning fly wheel
ANSWER : From the symptoms you describe it would appear that you may have a faulty starter.
You mention that you tested the starter and that it rotates. Another test you must verify is that when the starter is activated, the plunger and gear must also extend to come into contact with the flywheel teeth. If the plunger fails, or cannot extend properly, even if it does spin, it will not be able to contact the flywheel teeth to turn the engine.
If the starter is the original one it may just need to be replaced, especially if it has exceeded 200k miles of service.
If you need help with this, consider the help from a qualified technician who can diagnose your starting issue and replace the alternator if necessary.
Engine turns over but won’t start. Tested the starter and it goes from 12.5v then I turn over the engine and it drops to -20v.
ANSWER : Hello, thank you for writing in. As a general rule, a voltage drop test on the starter solenoid should be less than 1 volt, but this will vary with age, manufacture, and fault. Your solenoid has failed. You will want to replace the solenoid if it is serviceable, as some of them have to be replaced with the starter motor as well. For more help with this repair, contact our service department to schedule an appointment.
Clutch pedal stays to floor. Replaced master cylinder. Clutch push rod broke. Also do I need to change slave cylinder
ANSWER : If you have an issue with your clutch pedal going to the floor, the slave cylinder is normally the cause of this circumstance.
Also, if the push rod has been broken the first step would be to track down a new one because that push rod is a very necessary part of the clutch pedal system.
Once a new push rod has been located and installed, I would recommend having a new slave cylinder installed as well.
If you are in doubt about this repair, I would recommend having it performed by a qualified professional, such as one from YourMechanic. One of our mobile technicians will be able to come to your home to diagnose the issue with your clutch pedal and replace your clutch slave cylinder as necessary.
Car idle sputters and engine dies when AC clutch engages
ANSWER : Hi there. In most cases, when the AC compressor and clutch engage, it will draw extra ’power’ from the engine and cause the idle to slightly drop. However, this can cause existing issues to be amplified. For example, if you have dirty fuel injectors, mass air flow sensor or EGR valve on the vehicle, the activation of the compressor clutch will make the symptoms worse and more noticeable. However, if the compressor bearings or clutch is dragging, it can "bog" down the motor even more. It’s a good idea to have a professional mechanic come to your location to complete a car idle is rough inspection to determine if it’s a normal fuel system issue or if the AC system is the source of this problem.
