I have a 89 Corsica and I cant get it to turn over?

Question

I was driving down the street and my car began to idle down and died. I have changed the alternator, battery, starter, and it sounds like it is going to turn over but it dont. Any other suggestion on what it could be?

Answer 1

Before we can discuss answers we need to get our terminology straight.

When you say your car won't "turn over" I automatically assume that you mean when you turn the key to the starter position the starter either does not engage or it engages but does not product sufficient power to cause the engine to rotate. (hence the term "turn over") If this is what you mean, I will use the term "does not crank"

If the engine cranks over when the starter is engaged but it doesn't start, then "cranks but does not start" is the correct terminology.

The reason for getting clear here is that the causes the the two symptoms are completely different.

Potential Causes for cranks but does not start

No fuel in tank
Faulty fuel pump
Plugged fuel filter
Faulty ignition system
broken timing chain
Faulty engine computer
Plugged up Air intake

Potential Causes for does not crank

Weak battery
Poor connections at battery or starter
excessive voltage drop on battery cables
Faulty solenoid
Faulty Starter motor
Broken fly wheel
Seized up engine
Cylinders filled with liquid (from a blown intake or head gasket)
No power on signal wire to starter
alarm system disables starter

If you don't mind paying any long distance charges that may apply, I would be happy to discuss this problem further. Just call my shop at [phone] (8am to 6pm M-F central time)

Answer 2

If your battery is fully charged and all the battery clamps are tight and it still will not turn over check the ground wire.Follow the ground off the battery it should led to the engine block. Inspect the bolt or nut holding the ground wire making sure its tight. Also inspect the area that it is bolted to for paint rust or any other build up.Clean the area and retry. Hope I was able to help.Good luck

Answer 3

yeah, i would suggest looking at the oil dipstick first and then trying to turn the motor over by hand, you might be in the market for a new car

Answer 4

Might want to consider changing the fuel pump or possibly the in-line filter.

Answer 5

if its have been given a carb., the idle screw is solid by employing the accelerator linkage. stalling at purple lights, make confident the choke isnt final with you, which will make it stall. additionally those little screws interior the front, turn each and each a million out a pair of million/2 turn, that could raise the idle.

Answer 6

Maybe it's out of oil and it locked up?