Yahoo Answers is shutting down on May 4th, 2021 (Eastern Time) and beginning April 20th, 2021 (Eastern Time) the Yahoo Answers website will be in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.
Trending News
Car starter motor or something else?
OK after draining the battery by sitting in the car with the radio and heaters on, i got it bump started (NOT JUMP started, BUMP started, where you push it and it helps the engine turn) Once we got home, i tried to start the car and got no response from the engine or starter motor. The lights, radio, wipers etc all worked and even after charging the battery (overnight on an external charger) still got nothing more. To me, it doesnt seem like the key is turning far enough, it stops dead halfway between the 2nd and 3rd postion, but maybe im wrong, i just remember it feeling like a sponge when im actually starting the engine. Ive had a friend out whos a mechanic, and he says its the starter motor, which has now been taken out and remanufactured. I watched him test it with his jump leads, and it seemed to work fine, but hey, hes meant to be the expert. however i thought it was very rare for the starter to just stop responding, normally they give a warning, and there was no warning. His other explanation is the alternator....but the battery held its charge fine after the bump start. I do wonder wether mechanics ever actually have a clue, or just trial and error until they figure out the problem. Luckily im not paying him, or i'll be severely hacked off if it wasnt the starter motor.
Any ideas, or thoughts or anything.
The car is a manual, so its got nothing to do with not being in park.
its a 2001 daewoo matiz thats done 50k miles, and passed its last mot with no advisories.
i dont think its the steering lock, since the key wont turn at all if the steering is locked, but it does turn to 2nd position.
6 Answers
- 1 decade agoFavorite Answer
Since the "Change" in operation occurred following your operating several accessories where the ignition switch may have been in the on position for an extended period, I suspect that the switch may have overheated and failed... This could account for the difference in the "feel' of the switch...
I suspect your starter motor is fine... Based solely on your information, without the opportunity to inspect the starter...
I have to wonder why the mechanic did not attempt to test the starter before removing it from the car... This should be fairly easy to do with the starter installed by means of a remote starter button (tool for operating the starter without being in the driver's seat)...
No third position in the key switch= a bad switch in my opinion...
There are good mechanics, and reputable shops, and then there are parts changers that will end up costing their customers a fortune... Try a shop that has a good reputation and has been in business for many years...
- ?Lv 71 decade ago
As Patrick says, I too, would suspect the ignition switch from what you describe. The steering lock is a separate entity from that, being purely mechanical and not electrical.
- 1 decade ago
Check the leads on the battery, sometimes they loosen up n ur lights radio wipers etc will still work but it won't have enough juice to turn the starter.
- 1 decade ago
You didn't mention the year, make or model but it could be the ignition tumbler or possibly the steering wheel lock. It may also have a neutral safety switch but I'm not to sure that manual tranny vehicles have them.
- How do you think about the answers? You can sign in to vote the answer.
- keith pLv 61 decade ago
It dos not matter what make or model ,the car is ,but i am only guessing that it is the solenoid what is faulty ,and is not letting the power through to the starter motor.
