Car won't start

**deathgodusmc** · 06-09-11, 06:15 AM

Originally Posted by Trinity

I'm with Deathgod on a possible ignition problem. Sounds like the switch might be faulty. I don't think that would make your car kill though while driving.

I went to Tech school for autos and work on my own vehicles when I can. Make sure they check for vacuum leaks. I've had that kill my car while driving, mostly idling though. Easy fix if you can find it.

I fucking hate vacuum leaks. Eveyrone i know runs around telling their friends i can find vacuum leaks. They have no idea what a pain in the ass it is to hear a vacuum leak over the air movement in the plenum much less figure out which hose it is. I do agree it is possible for a vacuum leak to kill a car but that would have to be a good leak. Of which would make it easy to find though. Im sticking with this is an ignition deal. Either the ignition itself or the switch under the column. Without looking at it and seeing what its doing its a tough call.

Not being able to get the keys out is a major hint on the problem. If the dealership cant figure this out then their mechanics aren't worth shit.

**Trinity** · 06-09-11, 10:22 AM

Originally Posted by deathgodusmc

I fucking hate vacuum leaks. Eveyrone i know runs around telling their friends i can find vacuum leaks. They have no idea what a pain in the ass it is to hear a vacuum leak over the air movement in the plenum much less figure out which hose it is. I do agree it is possible for a vacuum leak to kill a car but that would have to be a good leak. Of which would make it easy to find though. Im sticking with this is an ignition deal. Either the ignition itself or the switch under the column. Without looking at it and seeing what its doing its a tough call.

Not being able to get the keys out is a major hint on the problem. If the dealership cant figure this out then their mechanics aren't worth shit.

My vacuum leak was on my 2000 Focus. PCV hose right in the back. Couldn't tell there was a hole until I took the entire hose off, the small elbow had disintegrated from the inside out leaving it thin and well, holey. had to replace the hose, they didn't make an elbow replacement, no biggie though, only $10 and easy to put in. Vacuum leaks are a pain to find, luckily mine was a common problem so a few searches online and I found out places to check.

Definitely Ignition switch for the key. Still find it odd that that would cause it to die on the road. and that was at full highway speeds? accelerating or foot off the pedal?

**DJ Ms. White** · 06-09-11, 04:01 PM

This was with my foot on the pedal going about a constant speed. I was going about 60 miles an hour.

I also forgot that my car's cruise control had stopped working. Just called the mechanic and told her that.

They're still working trying to figure out what's the problem. Hopefully this won't take long.

**Trinity** · 06-09-11, 10:47 PM

Originally Posted by DJ Mr. White

This was with my foot on the pedal going about a constant speed. I was going about 60 miles an hour.

I also forgot that my car's cruise control had stopped working. Just called the mechanic and told her that.

They're still working trying to figure out what's the problem. Hopefully this won't take long.

That sounds like some pretty screwey stuff goin' on there. Sounds a bit more electrical or computer related now.

Here, check this out SATURN Electrical System Ignition Reports some good forum posts and safety reviews.
People with, what sounds like, the same problem you've been having. If your dealership is still stumped maybe you could suggest
some of these known issues.

**deathgodusmc** · 06-10-11, 09:18 AM

Originally Posted by DJ Mr. White

This was with my foot on the pedal going about a constant speed. I was going about 60 miles an hour.

I also forgot that my car's cruise control had stopped working. Just called the mechanic and told her that.

They're still working trying to figure out what's the problem. Hopefully this won't take long.

Did this all happen at once or was it over the course of time since you bought the car? My first guess if the bulk happened at once is the ignition switch under the column. Every wire in you steering column goes thru that switch. The key being stuck is most likely unrelated to all other issues. Thats going to be one of two things. Either the tumblers came apart or the cable release broke at either the shifter or the ignition.

**DJ Ms. White** · 06-10-11, 09:54 AM

This is a recent problem with the last year or so.

**DJ Ms. White** · 06-10-11, 02:33 PM

Well, I think they checked the ignition switch after just talking to them, but so far they can't find anything wrong with the car. They've been able to get it started though. They said there were also no error codes in the computer, although they are going to redo the computer to hopefully fix the no start issue.

That's at least fixed; I just have to worry about stalling out on one of my 4 hour drives to and from Dallas...kind of nervous about that.

**deathgodusmc** · 06-10-11, 03:41 PM

They have to know what they did to make a car that wont start now start. Which tells me they know whats wrong but are reluctant to say. Seems like a recall item possibly.

Just another item for you to think of I have seen this several times over the years. If the starter solenoid is coming aprt internally you will have a no start with everything working. What happens is the main power wire stud on the starter begins to get wiggle movement which results in a no contact situation inside the starter. So everything on the car works but when you turn the key you get nothing as far as cranking. An easy way to tell this is with a volt meter, or watching the head lights, or just wiggling the wire to see if it moves at the starter end.

**DJ Ms. White** · 06-14-11, 08:57 PM

Car starts, but, in the last 2 days, it has shut off and then come back on while I've been driving twice! This is worrying as I have 8 hours of driving to do coming up.