1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

What all makes a car not run? Lets make a list.

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Old 05-04-07, 09:56 AM
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What all makes a car not run? Lets make a list.

OK, I want to start a list of all the possible things that will stop our cars from running and a short explanation on how it was found and fixed. Here I will start with a few obvious ones. Would be neat to have a large list of things that could be archived to check when our babies quit runnin.

No fuel = fuel pump bad, replaced
no spark= bad altenator, replaced
Blown fuses, replaced
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Old 05-04-07, 10:44 AM
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Car dosnt start = The lack of ignition key = put key in ignition.

Car still dosnt start = lack of gas = put gas in gastank

Car still dosnt start = Welcome to rotory world = smash your nuts with ballpeen hammer, then tow to nearest rotory tuner.
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Old 05-04-07, 12:01 PM
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Anything, everything.
El Nino once made my car not start. Parking on a hill will still make my car not start.
Not to be a peer on parades, but this thread is kinda... welll, pointless. Not that its not a good idea, but really, there are 1,000,001 things that can result in failure to start.
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Old 05-04-07, 01:15 PM
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Sort of a backwards question...
The conditions under which a car WILL start are very few and very specific (out of all possible conditions), so how about we concentrate on what it needs to start, and then you check to make sure its getting all of those things.

fuel (the right amount, not too much not too little)
spark (enough, at the right time)
compression
enough speed and torque from the starter
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Old 05-04-07, 01:29 PM
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I'm with inuissus_cendi - 'cept he left off 'air'. A clogged air filter will give you bad scoobies.
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Old 05-04-07, 06:36 PM
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Mitch Hedberg's car wisdom

I don't know how to fix a car. If the car breaks down, and the gas tank does not say "E", I'm screwed. But if the gas tank says "E", I get all cocky - "I've got this one, don't worry." So I get out the toolbox, AKA wallet.

But in all seriousness

No Fuel or tach can also mean, dead trailing ignitor, not just bad fuel pump on at least the 84 & 85 first gens(not sure about other years).
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Old 05-04-07, 08:13 PM
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my car starts better when its warm out. on a cold morning, i have to run out and try to start it. it usually takes about 10 minutes to do so. old rotaries man, what can ya do?
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Old 05-04-07, 08:56 PM
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I don't know, the dang car always starts.
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Old 05-04-07, 09:13 PM
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well u need plenty of starting fluid
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Old 05-07-07, 09:16 AM
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Trying your keys in someone elses car will cause it not to start.
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Old 05-07-07, 09:19 AM
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Originally Posted by ray green
I don't know, the dang car always starts.
I know! Isn't that no fun?
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Old 05-07-07, 11:44 AM
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You guys should check out Pele's "End of all no start threads" thread, in the FAQ.

Has all the info you wanna get here.

Jon
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Old 05-07-07, 03:06 PM
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Headlong collisions that destroy the engine.
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Old 05-08-07, 10:43 AM
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Originally Posted by Manntis
I'm with inuissus_cendi - 'cept he left off 'air'. A clogged air filter will give you bad scoobies.

If you have the FACTS right, the car will start:
F - Fuel
A - Air
C - Compression
T - Timing
S - Spark(not needed for diesel )


if the FACTS are not right, the car wont start. and there are millions of things that can make the facts wrong
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Old 05-08-07, 12:30 PM
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Parked it all winter, jumped in after 6 months, turn key, vroom vroom, so simple, so easy. After months of trouble shooting last year....lol
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Old 05-08-07, 07:05 PM
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Shooting your engine bay with 40 rounds of 7.62mm with your buddys AK-47 will make it not start.
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Old 05-08-07, 09:30 PM
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Originally Posted by EvilJester
Car dosnt start = The lack of ignition key = put key in ignition.

Car still dosnt start = lack of gas = put gas in gastank

Car still dosnt start = Welcome to rotory world = smash your nuts with ballpeen hammer, then tow to nearest rotory tuner.
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Old 05-08-07, 11:12 PM
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Ok, this thread has turned out to be a haven for lounge rats.
Say goodbye!
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