Some ideas about car not starting please

twopenny

So no hint of a problem, battery charged but I got back to it in the High Street and the engine turns over well but doesn't engage at all.

It's been sat in town since 4pm Saturday and is still intact today Sunday. I will contact a garage first thing tomorrow.

I checked connections and all in place apart from the cover of the air filter and pipe to it. I put the pipe back but can;t secure the lid of the case closed.

But I can't see that this would interfer with it starting.

My first thought is the fuel pump. This was the demise of my last car, same model as it means removal of the fuel tank on this model.

Are there any less drastic things it could be to happen so suddenly with no warning?

Would the starter motor fade so quickly?

I've had an alternator go before on a car and it doesn't seem like that.

Desperately need some optimism. Large dental bill due not to mention the fuel bills expected and there are no small cars available locally or any travel distance so trying not to panic.

tacpot12

I wouldn't worry about replacing the car until you know what the fault is, and that needs a mechanic to trace the problem. Once you know what the problem is, you can see how best to repair it.

 Have you been saving for repairs? If you are running a car, you really need to be saving for the repairs it will need and its eventual replacement. 

Grumpy_chap

It is very hard to give any comment online from such a vague and all-encompassing scenario.

The thing I always try is to rock the car in case the starter motor jammed.

If you can say what make, model, year of car it is, you might be lucky and someone see the post that has the same type of car and can share resolution if there is a common issue.

Do you have any breakdown cover in place?

TadleyBaggie

If the engine is turning over, unlikely to be the starter more.

Basic question, diesel or petrol?

twopenny

OK so same model is unlikely

It's a Fiesta Finesse 2000. Petrol, half full.

I bought it to look for a permenant car because it was £325 and only done 45,000mls. Then because I was moving house and then the pandemic it didn't make sense to change. Still only 66,000.

 

I'd forgotten about the rocking. Had to do that years ago with another car but even when younger at 5'2" and thin(ish) I don't have the height or weight to really do that enough.

I do have breakdown cover but not home start and it's 10mins from home.

Saving for another on a pension with the interest rates on savings what they've been isn't possible. Also the prices on cars of higher milage are high. Choice is poor.

If it was in my drive I wouldn't be upset but not so concerned but in the High Street, and I've had to leave a note in it for traffic wardens, I worry.

Thank you for your replies though. It's appreciated.

GrumpyDil

If it is turning over that seems to rule out flat battery and starter issue. That leaves fuel or spark as the most likely issues but without hands on impossible to tell.

Will have to see what the garage comes up with. Too late now but if you are not the sort to be able to sort your car at the roadside I'd suggest including home start makes sense. 

twopenny

Yes and no GrumpyD. If it hadn't been 4pm on a sunny Saturday my go to guy would have been around and not at a Devon beach. Ditto the very near garages would have been available.

I'm covered for relay since the pandemic. I got European coverage useless to me without extra expense. It may be worth trying to exchange that for home start.

This has only happened twice in 20yrs so it's not an essential.

Tomorrow I can get someone and at least it can be removed to a place of safety

chrisw

twopenny said:

I do have breakdown cover but not home start and it's 10mins from home.

Are you sure you're not covered? Home start is normally 1/4 mile away which is a lot less than 10 minutes. It's not far but is there to prevent you just pushing the car up the road away from your home.

Bigwheels1111

When you turn on the ignition do you hear the fuel pump buzz or hum.

Do you have an immobilizer.

Grumpy_chap

twopenny said:

OK so same model is unlikely

It's a Fiesta Finesse 2000. Petrol, half full.

I bought it to look for a permenant car because it was £325 and only done 45,000mls. Then because I was moving house and then the pandemic it didn't make sense to change. Still only 66,000.

 

I do have breakdown cover but not home start and it's 10mins from home.

First, the breakdown cover, as @chrisw mentioned, home start is usually only the first 1/4 mile.  If the car is 10 minutes from home, that is a lot more than 1/4 mile.  Not sure whether the 10 minutes was "walk" or "drive" but further than home start either way - I just checked the AA rules, but check the rules with your provider.
OR, simply call the breakdown cover, tell them where the car is and, if that is too near to your home address, the onus is on them to not attend or advise before attending it would be a charge.  Don't ask the question as the call-handler will be trained to deflect the call if they can.

OK - so the Fiesta Finesse 2000 petrol.  Does that have the 1.25 Zetec engine?
You are correct that the fuel pump is inaccessible on these, but they are not particularly prone to fail.  If you switch on the ignition (electronic ignition only, not starting), can you hear the fuel pump run for a couple of seconds and then stop?  It is the sound of an electric motor running audible from beneath the rear seats - turn off background sounds like the radio.

Here are some initial fault-finding things for that make and model:

1. Is it possible the car was hit while parked and tripped the fuel pump cut-off switch?  You will need a coin to reset this - it is located in the passenger footwell.
2. spark plugs
3. damp in the ignition components
4. defective starter solenoid or starter motor - but you say the engine turns over

The engine is a rock-solid design and, if the car only has 66k miles, I'd be expecting this to have many more miles ahead of it.
Has the car been reliable since you acquired it?
Had the car been running normally or "rough" in the time just before the breakdown?

twopenny

When I said it turns over I don't think that's exactly it. It's not spark plugs or engine engaging. Its a loud chug chug (the sound wasn't right) that isn't the battery - all dashboard lights come on then stops and lights go out. Sorry I can't be clearer I'd need to do it again to get a perspective.

I have been looking through weird videos for the noise re your suggestions and this is the closest sound at 1.20secs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNjzM3U-OH0

I didn't hear a buzz from anywhere but then I was listening to the sequence of strange noise of an extending version of when it subsequently catches - which it doesn't.

I don't think it's got a Zetec engine. Details in the car boot. I had a super Zetec before and it had more power than this one. Interesting to know. Would that account for what feels like a lack of power in this basic car perhaps?

1. No. I'm actually a space and a half in - I was only to be gone 10mins.

2. The spark plugs were replaced about 5yrs ago as were the leads. They seem to be well covered at the connection.

3. Unlikely. I'd driven 30+ miles that day stopping several times. No problems.

4. That is possible - the engine doesn't engage other than the sound of the initial ignition.

Car has been reliable. It was running just fine all day.

My last (same model but Ghia and zetec, went 15yrs with no problems till it wouldn't start one morning. It was only that the cost of replacing the fuel pump which had rusted in that made me sell it to a vintage collectors garage who could correct it and resell.

On this occasion the garage 2mins walk will be open. Small concern but good and I'm going to throw myself on their mercy. Can't push start where it's located but a fit bloke may get it reversed up the neighbouring side road to the garage. Tonight I want dinner and rest.

I hope I don't need it but if there's a next time I'll phone the AA. Yes, perhaps it's half a mile brisk walk from home.

I flattened my battery leaving the internal light on on a Saturday too. What is it about weekends!