My car turns over but won't start?

Question

I have a 2000 Saturn SL2 with 112K miles on it. Recently my car wouldn't turn over at all, but it started with a jump and ran fine for 50 miles, until I got home. I was not able to start the car after I turned it off, so I replaced the battery. The car started, idled for a few moments, then shut off again. Then I was not able to restart it (the engine is turning over but will not start). I knew the car was a bit low on fuel so I put a couple of gallons into it from a gas can. I have recently had the oil changed, and it is not low. I attempted to restart the car after that, but once again the engine is only turning over, not starting. Several hours later I tried again, no luck. I have no experience with this and I am now out of ideas, besides having it towed to a garage for professional repair. I figured I would ask for ideas.

Answer 1

Since your not really experienced in this , the only thing you can do is check all your basics.
Check your oil level, coolant level, check fuses, and fan belt condition. If all this checks ok tow-it !!!!

P.S. There's three things that will prevent any car from starting.
Having no spark, no fuel, or no compression
If your able to diagnose these three, you'll figure out your problem.
GOOD LUCK !!!

Answer 2

Hi, this is Mark; You may or may not have more than one problem, so I'll take it one step at a time. 1) your battery was dead so you jumped it and the car started. WHY WAS YOUR BATTERY DEAD? Did you check the batterys water or was it a sealed battery. Was the battery over four years old. 2) you put another battery in the car. WAS IT NEW OR USED....In todays cars you can't just say it's a dead battery, jump it then replace it. There are many things that can be wrong but try this. turn on your headlights - if bright that's good, if yellow that's bad.....with the headlights on crank the motor.....look at the headlights when cranking ( two persons here) bright good, yellow or off bad....My guess is that is yellow or off. If this is correct, then slow charge the battery. A low buck charger will do. Disconnect the ground before you charge. A charge time of 12 hours is needed to bring a new battery to full charge. If this works and your car startes and runs we then go to the next step......While the engine is running, take the NEG. battery cable off the battery. If you car stays running thats good, if it turns off, now you have other problems and you have other things to look into. With the high mileage your ALT. may be your problem. But it could be a bad fuse. With the engine off and the battery has a full charge, turn the ING. to on and check the fuses. Your light fuses may be off and thats ok.....You must get current on both sides of the fuse. After reading to this point and you can't test or understand what I have said to do then STOP. You have to get someone who knows what to do, or take the car to a shop. If you can follow the instructions to this point, you should have found the problem. If not then again take the car to a shop.Good Luck Mark

Answer 3

There are three things an internal combustion engine needs to run: 1, Fuel; 2, ignition (at the right time); 3, Compression. (Notice oil is not included--there are a few engines with low oil cut-off but not many.) Modern engines are built so that it is very difficult for a "no experience" guy to diagnose much of anything except is there fuel in the tank and if the gauge quits working THAT might be a problem. Get it to the shop.

Answer 4

Basics first Check for spark,battery is new but was the altenator charging the old one? You said that fuel was low do you that often because you could have picked up something in the fuel filter line or pump oh and clogged injectors. Todays cars have pretty extensive computer brains and if anyone of these things are to blame it may be preventing you from further damage or problems.

Answer 5

It sounds like the alternator to me...we had the same problem before...the alternator is the thing which charges the batterry when the engine runs and also to transmit the electrical flow from the battery throughout the car. If that one is defective, you will be able to turn the engine over, but it won't start the car and if you try longer, it will just empty out the battery.

So, try again to get it jump starts and drive to the next mechanic to get the alternator check and evtl. exchanged.

Answer 6

The possibilities are many. My oldest son and fiance are both certified mechanics. They both have a fit when friends call and tell them what a car is doing, guess they have to be there. If you know anyone, have them stop by for a look. If not your only option may be getting it to a shop. Good luck, I only let the two of them touch my wonderful old camaro because it is hard to find a good mechanic.

Answer 7

try the simple stuff first. check the ground wire. sounds all too familiar!!! I have had this problem twice with 2 different vehicles. check all the wires coming off of the battery visually first. then disconnect the battery and feel the cables for any cracks or fraying. make sure that the ground is good and secure. Good Luck.

Answer 8

The same thing happened to me but it was in a chevy cavalier.I would nearly bet it is the same thing though, your fuel pump went out. If it is in the tank your more than likely gonna have to take it to a mechanic, they are a real pain. you have to drop the fuel tank, and have a special tool . My mechanic told me if you let them get below a quarter of a tank you run that risk.

Answer 9

I have av1997 Honda Deso my friend put a tune up on it last night and it was fine. He put a air filter on it and it ran for a mile and stopped. Now it want srart.

Answer 10

Sounds like you alternator is not keeping the battery charged.