So Fix it

Car problems can be frustrating, especially when youre trying to get somewhere important. Before calling a professional mechanic to take a look at your Honda that wont start, try a few tips to solve the problem.

Reasons

There are several reasons why your Honda engine might turn over, but not turn on. It might be a problem with the fueling system or the ignition system. Either not enough gas is getting to the engine or the engine is not combusting fuel.

Location

First, confirm that you have sufficient gasoline in the tank. If you do, then go to the fuel tank at the back of the vehicle. Crawl underneath the vehicle and check the fuel tank for holes. Follow the fuel line from the fuel tank to the engine. Look for corrosion along the fuel line which might indicate a fuel leak. Check components that are often in need of maintenance, such as the fuel filter, fuel pump, spark plug and starter.

Troubleshooting

Put at least two gallons of gas in your fuel tank and immediately try to start your vehicle. This should cover the possibility of an empty fuel tank. Your fuel filter, fuel pump and spark plugs are easily replaceable; replace these components. If you have some automotive knowledge, you might be able to check and replace the camshaft mounted near the top of the engine as well. Also, check your catalytic converter, located underneath the vehicle, to make sure it is not warped or damaged. Consult a professional mechanic if the problem continues.

A newly rebuilt engine is often an extensive, time consuming project. To make sure your vehicle operates to its maximum capacity, you cannot fail to treat the new engine with care. Making sure all connections are secure and functioning is crucial in the early health of the rebuilt motor. Failing to treat the engine with proper care during the first few months of use will cause damage and may lead to yet another engine to be installed quicker than you might think.

Instructions

1

Inspect the engine compartment one final time before starting the vehicle. You should look for loose hose connections as well as loose electrical connections. Search for any tools or bolts left under the hood as well. Check all fluid levels once more to ensure the newly rebuilt motor does not become damaged upon its first use.

2

Ask your assistant to ignite the engine and hold down the accelerator so it is between 1,200 to 1,500 rounds per minute (rpm) for the first 20 minutes. Watch for possible leaks around the motor and under the car. Look for any other potential problems around the engine and any of its adjoining systems as well. This includes the engine oil pan and coolant and fuel hoses.

3

Check the motor belts to ensure they are both tight and fully operational. The belts should be snug and not loose from their wheels. Allow the engine to run for three minutes if their is unnatural noise coming from it in order to let oil reach and circulate throughout the engine. Have your assistant watch the oil pressure gauge. If the noise persists, shut the engine down and ensure the oil pump is functioning correctly.

4

Allow the engine to run at regular idle speed following the first 20 minutes of testing. After the oil has circulated and noises have ended, set the engine timing if possible. Do this by shutting down the engine and loosening the distributor enough to rotate it manually. Connect a timing light tool as directed by the manufacturers instructions. Follow the steps on the tune-up label found in the engine section of the vehicles service manual to set the timing.

5

Test the vehicle on a road that is free from heavy traffic. Adjust your speed up to 40 miles per hour (mph) and release the accelerator. Allow the vehicle to coast down to around 15 mph and then again accelerate to 40 mph. Repeat this multiple times to assist the new piston rings in sealing properly. Check the engine for leaks or disconnections again after the vehicle is stopped.

A 1987 Ford Truck relies on two things to start: the battery and fuel in the gas tank. If you are having problems getting your Ford truck to start, you can troubleshoot these two issues and make sure that everything is working properly. If you have a dead battery, you might need to replace it. However, if the battery is just low on a charge, you can jump start the car and allow the battery to charge up.

Instructions

1

Open the hood to gain access to the battery and the battery terminals.

2

Loosen the battery terminals from the battery and clean any corrosion off of them with a wire brush and soda. The sodas carbonation will eat away at the corrosion and allow you to scrub it off with the brush.

3

Reconnect the battery terminals to the battery and try to start your truck.

4

Jump start the 1987 Ford truck with jumper cables and a friends car. Allow the truck to run for about five minutes and then cut it off.

5

Try to restart the truck. If the truck will not restart, replace your battery.

6

Check your fuel level. Add 1 gal. of gas to your truck and then try to restart it. If the truck starts up, replace the gas gauge.

The 1993 Cutlass Supreme is a four-door sedan equipped with a 3.1-liter, six-cylinder engine. If your Cutlass Supreme does not start when the engine is warm, it probably is overheating. An overheated engine can be caused by not enough coolant in the system or by a leak in the cooling system. You can troubleshoot this problem yourself and save money by fixing it in your driveway or garage.

Instructions

1

Turn on the ignition so the instrument panel illuminates but do not start the engine. Note that the needle is in the "Red" area of the temperature gauge, if the engine has overheated.

2

Open the hood and locate the coolant tank, which is on the left side of the engine compartment. Remove the tank cap by turning it counterclockwise.

3

Pour 50-50 coolant through a funnel into the tank until you reach the fill line on the side of the tank.

4

Look under your car for leaks from the cooling system. If you find any leaks, have the car towed to a service shop to patch the leak. Driving your car while coolant is leaking could cause further damage to the engine.

The Mountaineer is a mid-sized sport utility vehicle in the Mercury line manufactured by Ford Motor Co. One benefit of the Mountaineer is its size because it can hold up to seven passengers. But, the Mountaineer can have problems starting. If you are having difficulty starting the vehicle, there are diagnostic tests that you can perform at home or on the roadside to solve or gain insight into the problem. These steps also might save time and money.

Instructions

1

Place the key in the ignition and start it. If the key does not turn, try adjusting the steering column. The column could be locked and prevent the key from turning. Once the steering column is unlocked, turn the key again.

2

Also check the fuel gauge. If the fuel level is low, add a gallon of gas and attempt to start the vehicle.

3

Open the hood and check the levels of the oil, coolant and transmission fluid. Low fluid levels not only cause problems but also can prevent the Mountaineer from starting.

4

Test the battery. Turn the key in the ignition to the third position, which turns on the electrical circuits. Turn on the headlights and interior lights. If the lights and displays do not illuminate, the battery either is drained or dead. The battery might need a jump-start or replacement.

5

Listen for noises that might indicate other problems. No noise after turning the key might indicate a faulty ignition switch. A clicking noise indicates a problem with the starter. If the vehicle briefly starts then shuts down, this might be a problem with the fuel pump.

6

Call a professional if none of these steps solve or diagnose the problem and have the vehicle towed to an auto repair garage or Mercury dealership.

The CRF250X is a small engine manufactured by Honda for use with dirt bikes. If you are having problems with your CRF250X after washing it, there are several things you can do before you take it to a service shop. Many engines should not washed with a garden hoses because the water can get into the starter or the alternator. You can test these items in just a couple of seconds.

Instructions

1

Turn the key in the ignition of the CRF250X and listen for a "clicking" noise. If you hear this clicking noise, your alternator has been damaged by the water you used to wash your bike. Take the dirt bike to a service station to get the alternator checked. Service shops have specific tools to test the alternator.

2

Take the bike to a service station where they can check your starter if you dont hear a clicking noise, but the bike still will not start. The starter can get damaged by water also. Service stations have specific tools to test your starter.

3

Look at the gas gauge while the electrical panel is on. If the gas gauge is low, fill the tank and try to start the bike. If the bikes gauges dont light up, you have a problem with your battery.

4

Locate the battery under the seat of the bike. You should see two wires going to your battery, a red one and a black one. Make sure that these wires are securely connected to the batterys terminals. Use a pair of insulated pliers to tighten the connections to the battery. Try to restart the bike.

5

Connect a voltmeter to your bikes battery if it still wont start. Connect the red lead to the positive (+) terminal on the battery. Connect the black lead to the negative (-) terminal on the battery.

6

Look at the reading on the voltmeter. If your reading does not provide a result at or about 12 volts, the charge is too low. Connect jumper cables to your bikes battery terminals and then connect the other end of the jumper wires to the "+" and "-" terminals on a different battery.

7

Start the other bike and then try to start your CRF250X. Allow the bike to run for 15 minutes and then cut the bike off. Try to restart the bike. Replace the battery if the bike does not restart.

A high-pitched squeal when you start your car is more than just an ear-piercing annoyance. It is a sign that there is something wrong that needs to be fixed right away.

Belts

If your car squeals at start-up, the culprit is most likely the belt system. Most newer cars use a single, serpentine belt; older models may have as many as three belts. Look closely at the belt to see if it is worn, torn or otherwise compromised. Replace damaged belts immediately.

Tensioner

If the belt seems to be in good shape then the problem may be with the tensioner. The tensioner controls the belts tighteness on the pulley system. If the belt is loose it can shimmy back and forth on the alternator, water pump, A/C unit or drive pulley. This movement may cause excessive and premature wear.

Slipage

Squealing may be due to a cold or dew-covered belt. This is most common if a car is parked outdoors overnight. A cold or wet belt may slip for the first few seconds until the rubber has warmed up.

The Schwinn Campus Scooter is designed for college students to get across campus. If you are having problems with your Schwinn Scooter, there are a few components that you can check out before you take it into a repair shop. Schwinn electric scooters rely on two 12-volt batteries to start. If you have a dead battery on your scooter or the battery wires are broken, the scooter will not start.

Instructions

1

Look over the wire connections going from the battery to the scooters motor. Make sure there are no broken or frayed wires. Have the wires replaced by a professional.

2

Look for any corrosion on the metal connections going from the wires to the scooters battery. Use soda and a wire brush to remove the corrosion and then reconnect the wires to the scooters battery.

3

Test the battery with a battery tester to make sure it holds a full charge.

4

Charge the battery for six hours and then reconnect the battery to the scooter.

5

Replace the battery if necessary.