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car stalled while driving, now wont start, whats wrong??
its a 2003 cavalier.
Was driving, then it for some reason the ride got really rough, so I pulled over and the car stalled immediately.
Now when I try to start it, it turns over idles badly for a second or two then stalls.
Whats wrong??
16 Answers
- Anonymous1 decade agoFavorite Answer
"Won't start" is pretty vague. It could be hundreds of posibilities.
Dead battery, Low battery, bad ground wire to engine, bad power wire to starter, bad power wire to battery, bad connection at battery post or terminals, blown fuse, bad key switch, bad starter, bad fuel pump, bad injectors, out of gas, neutral safety switch, seized engine, broken connecting rod, no compression, no spark, bad oil pressure switch, broken timing chain, plugged fuel filter, bad starter solenoid, broken rotor, cracked distributor cap, Anti-theft device, water in/on engine, vacuum leak, bad ignition coil, blown computer, faulty cam or crank sensor ...
When you turn the key to START it what happens?
1) Nothing happens? (dead battery?, loose battery cables, or it's not in "park" all the way.)
2) You hear a "click", but nothing else? (loose battery cables, bad starter, bad starter solenoid, or broken engine)
3) You hear the starter turning, but the engine doesn't turn? (low battery voltage, bad starter or bad ring gear on flywheel/flex plate)
4) The starter turns the engine, but the engine won't start up? (out of gas, bad fuel pump, plugged fuel filter, broken timing belt, no spark)
5) The engine turns over, but very slowly. (weak battery, worn starter, out of engine oil)
6) the engine turns, but there's an awful banging noise? (something is broken inside the engine)
What happened last time you drove it?
1) Drove home fine last night, just won't start today?
2) Was driving fine, and it just died on you?
3) You haven't driven it in a while. It's been parked in storage?
- Anonymous5 years ago
It sounds like you have gone into automatic shut down or protection mode. This happens at 10&1/2 volt. To protect the electronics on a vehicle. Low voltage causes excess heat in electronics. So charge the Battery. Start the car, Check Battery, alternator, belts, Replace bad part. Should do it. And heated seats draw a lot of power, Should have shut them off! And all electrical not needed! Some times then they will restart and you can go 20-30 miles to a shop. Saves the tow bill.
- 1 decade ago
The engine type would help a lot. Otherwise I have to guess. My guess would be the timing belt jumped. I would go for a spark plug wire coming off, but if you have a quad 4 engine, this would be impossible as their is a coil pack in place of wires and distributor. It is fairly common for the timing belt to jump on a four cylinder engine if it is not maintained, so this would be my guess.
It would also help if I knew other things, like did you drive through a big puddle or snow bank? Did you just get out of the car wash? Are there any other things that could have introduced moisture to the engine compartment?
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- 5 years ago
Car stalled while driving on the freeway. Kids in the car (life threatening situation) Honda fixed it 5 times but still same problem. DC-DC Converter Issue. Current Case# 04267496. No help from American Honda. Currently Walnut Creek Honda has it and wants to me to pick it up which I denied it, I can put my family's life in risk. To me this car has safety issue which American Honda not taking responsibility. I’m filing Lemon Law
- Anonymous1 decade ago
beats me, pretty vague question you've got there. try pounding the gas tank with a rubber mallet. and have an assistant start the vehicle.
might be fuel related. if not, check for spark. if no spark then you know you may have some kind of ignition system issue.
oh, is there is fuel in the tank?
BTW, THAT CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH A TIMING CHAIN. NOT A TIMING BELT.
- 6 years ago
While driving my camry 2007 just stopped but won't start, mechanic says there is no enough spark to turn the engine and the brain box is bad.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
It sounds like your fuel pump maybe going bad, not your timing. Timing chains/belts give no warning and go at once. a fuel pump will be fine when first started the when it starts getting warm quits. That's the sign of one going bad.
- 1 decade ago
check the idle, does it stay running if you keep the gas down>
you need to put more info into your question