Help! Car won't start!

[Bryan]

Came out after work to my car and turned the key, but all I hear is a loud whirring sound coming from the starter. I can hear the fuel pump making a whirring noise when I turn the key, but the car won't start. Could it be the starter is gone? Could I pop the clutch to get it started?

A bit more info... When I try to turn it over the starter whirrs loudly, but the engine doesn't even turn. No trying to start or nothing. It just sounds like the starter is spinning on its own, and at a very high rpm I might add.

 

[typhoon5000]

It sounds like the teeth from the starter aren't lined up with the teeth on the flywheel somehow or the teeth on one of them broke off. I haven't seen that before, but that's just what it sounds like. Maybe check and see if the starter is loose too.

 

[89SHOMAN666]

The bendix is dirty or damaged, not allowing the starter gear to engauge with the flywheel teeth. Carefully tap the starter with a rubber mallet. You might get lucky, and have it free up enough to get the car started. Otherwise, pull the starter and inspect/clean/replace it.

Good luck.

 

[Bryan]

Okay will do and thanks for the quick response! And if I can't get her started I'll have to get her towed. Was thinking of trying to pop the clutch, but she's in a rather tight parking lot, and I only got about a car's length in front of me to try and attempt this.

 

[89SHOMAN666]

No problem. Your optimal chance for success would be if you can have someone try to start the car, while you tap on the starter with the rubber mallet.

 

[1badsho]

I concur with all of the above. Either the teeth are shreaded on the starter ... or it gunked up and a light tap on the starter might be all you need.

Sounds like eventually you will need a starter though .... let us know if you it started

dond

 

[Bryan]

Trying to get the starter to turn the engine over was a no go... Had to have the car towed. 100 bucks isn't too bad for towing costs.

 

[zak]

For future reference if it was an MTX they are easy to push start.

 

[Bryan]

For future reference if it was an MTX they are easy to push start.

I was going to try that originally, but the problem was I only had a cars length to try and push it, and that was up hill. I could have spend a couple hours trying to turn the car around, but 100 bucks wasn't too bad a cost to have it towed 20 miles so I just went with that.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

I was going to try that originally, but the problem was I only had a car's length to try and push it, and that was up hill. I could have spend a couple hours trying to turn the car around, but 100 bucks wasn't to bad a cost to have it towed 20 miles so I just went with that.

You can push start it in reverse also.

 

[Bryan]

You can push start it in reverse also.

Really? Hmm... I didn't know that. Thanks for the heads up!

 

[rubydist]

just better be prepared for a huge jolt when you pop the clutch in reverse...