Car won't start, please help?

[DoDaniel]

After a few months of not using the car due to it not working an my insurance running out. I decided to get it going again, the only problem being, it won't actually start anymore.

I would turn the key but nothing would actually happen, it would only make a wirring noise. I had a look at the battery and it was completely dead but even jumping the car would not start it. So I got a new battery anyway, however, it still won't start.

I'm guessing the starter motor is dead then?

[dandadan]

it wasnt working before? What was wrong it with it (when your insurance ran out)?

What happens now when you try to start it? Can you hear clicking or anything?

[DoDaniel]

It started but didn't drive very well. Kept showing the EML and had very poor acceleration. Now, it just won't start. So i'm guessing it's the actual starter motor.

[DoDaniel]

Might try rolling it down the road, maybe a rolling start will get it going.

[dandadan]

It's worth a try mate, does anything happen when you try to start it? Any clicking noise, trying to turn over? u could try hitting the starter solenoid with a hammer as that could be siezed, they can stick preventing the car from turning over...

[DoDaniel]

Could do, not entirely sure where the actual starter motor is on the car though. Might look near the alternator.

[dandadan]

The starter will be at the back of the engine next to the gearbox...

[nath2905]

i'd say the air flow meter is nackered, the one i have now, started drove ok, EML kept poping on, then it just broke down, and wouldnt start, got home, changed crank sensor, egr blanked, and air flow changed and its sound now hope this kind of helps

[DoDaniel]

Yeah that helps a lot , I've already changed the air flow sensor and have got a blanking plate to put on the EGR but not done it yet. Also, would the crank sensor have a major effect on it? And is it expensive? Not got a lot of money at the moment.

[DoDaniel]

Sorry, forgot to add. When the problem first happened, the car would drive for a while and then start juddering. The EML would come on and then just lose all power. Changed the air flow sensor and it stopped doing it, however whilst it stopped the juddering, the EML kept popping up. Plugged a code reader in and said o2 sensor but that was recently changed. I think there may be a hole in the exhaust as the car does scrape the speed bumps on a regular basis.

[nath2905]

it may just need the codes wiping off the computer, on my other 8v i unpluged battery for half a hour put it back on it seems to wipe them but dont know if that works on 16's, crank sensor, seems to have different effects on different cars, they are only £20, half hour do with a lot of swearing due to where it is
id try get rid of the codes first tho

[DoDaniel]

Yeah, got myself a code reader anyway. I'll just use that as it's easier than waiting 30mins. Also, the code reader/diagnostics kit I have can set new idle speeds. Would it be possible to set it to an idle speed of my choice if it doesn't set correctly on it's own (Which it hasn't before)?

[nath2905]

dont know pal, dunno how it would take to things like that, could try though

[DoDaniel]

I've just recently had the starter motor replaced as well as the sparks plugs and fuel filter as they needed doing anyway. And the car still.won't start even with a new battery. The mechanic said.it might be an unearthing problem because the battery discharged very quickly last night whilst he was doing it.

Please, any ideas. Need the car desperately. Thanks.

[DoDaniel]

Right, got the car running again. Needed a new alternator as well as it had a cracked casing and was causing the starter motor to short out.

Got that fixed but the car is far from being roadworthy. It still seems to have this annoying erratic idle and even after replacing the idle unit which shows up on my code scanner, it won't go away. Could it be possible the ECU if faulty and not setting the engine up correctly?

Please, if anyone can help. I need the car to working fully really soon. Have to use it for work.