92 Festiva Slow Start / No Start

[Timothy]

I have a 92 Festiva L , 5speed manual, with stock engine that was always slow to start, but now that a cold front has moved in and the temperatures have plunged to the 20's my car will not start, although the starter slowly turns the motor, but not start.

My preliminary research has shown me that it could be a bad battery (I know this isn't the problem. I just got a new batter), bad electrical connections to the starter (I have cleaned all obvious electrical connections and assured a tight fit), wrong engine oil making it hard to turn, or the starter is bad.

I am leaning heavily towards the starter is just bad, but I wanted to get more input before I buy the part later on today.

Additional info: I would love to test it with a voltmeter, but alas I have no idea where I put mine.

[firebush357]

I would say that the Battery does not have enough power. If it is a new battery I would check the alternator to see if that is pushing out around 14 volts when charging. I have never heard of a starter going bad by getting weak, usually they just stop working altogether when they go bad. If the Alternator is good then you probably have some kind of draw on the system that is draining your battery overnight.

[FestYboy]

You need that volt meter. Once that's in hand I can walk you through the diagnosis.

[firebush357]

You need that volt meter. Once that's in hand I can walk you through the diagnosis.

One of the best tools to have if you know how to use it correctly...

[Timothy]

92 Festiva Slow Start / No Start

I would say that the Battery does not have enough power. If it is a new battery I would check the alternator to see if that is pushing out around 14 volts when charging.

So I installed a well charger battery, and after the install the first time I fired it up it was still a slow crank. So that makes me think I can rule out battery and alternator. Is that flawed logic? I guess when I find my volt meter we can narrow things down.

Also I will try and update you guys when I find my volt meter. Thanks for all the suggestions so far.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[firebush357]

Check the Conditions of the Wires going from your your Battery to the Starter to make sure they aren't damaged in any way or have corrosion on them. If you can't find your Volt Meter, they are like $15 on Amazon or Harbor Freight. Check the Voltage at the Battery, a new battery should be sitting around 12 - 12.5 volts then check the voltage that at the starter for the same value. If you don't find anything there then Check the condition of your Ground Wire from the Battery to the Body for the same damaged or corroded wires.

What kind of engine oil are you running and how well does it run and idle once it starts?

[Timothy]

92 Festiva Slow Start / No Start

Check the condition of your Ground Wire from the Battery to the Body for the same damaged or corroded wires.

It looks like it is attached firmly. Rusty, but firmly in place.

The negative cable is attached to the frame of the car and then attached to the engine.

[Timothy]

What kind of engine oil are you running and how well does it run and idle once it starts?

I do not know what kind of oil because I had it done, but I would guess 5w-30. Also it idles just fine. When I press the breaks or when the headlights are on or when I put it in gear but have the clutch depressed it idled slightly higher.

[TWFodor]

Probably wouldn't hurt to clean up that ground

[WmWatt]

Looks like you removed starter. Test by running directly off battery?

[Timothy]

Ok, I got the battery tested and it was indeed bad. So plus 1 for firebush357!

I also got the starter tested and it checked out fine.

I bought and installed a new battery, but now the engine won't fire up. It cranks, but will not start.

I guess now I'll have to find out if its getting fuel. I have a little less than 1/4 tank, but my car is parked on an incline. So maybe it needs more gas? I have no Idea.

[Timothy]

I just sprayed starter fluid in the air intake, and it still did not start, so I do not think fuel is the problem. I'll have to find a way to check for spark next.

[rickbz28]

Check to make sure you didn't disconnect the coil wire changing the battery or installing the starter.

[Timothy]

Ok, it looks like I'm not getting spark. removed a spark plug wire and inserted a spark plug, grounded it, and it did not spark.

what is the coil wire?

[dalebwilson]

The coil wire is the spark plug looking wire from the coil to center of distributor.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk