Why won't my car start?!?

[Stacey]

I am clueless about cars. My car has this habit of not starting. It's usually after I have been driving for a while. Then if I turn the car off for a few minutes to run in a store or something, it won't start when I come back out. It starts up again about an hour later. Yesterday, it died on me on the road. I was stopped and waiting to make a left turn. It started up again later. Can someone tell me what the problem might be and how much it might cost to repair?



staceyz1@excite.com

[chuck yahrling]

I am clueless about cars. My car has this habit of not starting. It's usually after I have been driving for a while. Then if I turn the car off for a few minutes to run in a store or something, it won't start when I come back out. It starts up again about an hour later. Yesterday, it died on me on the road. I was stopped and waiting to make a left turn. It started up again later. Can someone tell me what the problem might be and how much it might cost to repair?

You may want to search the message archives on this board under "removing rubber depost from runways" for more insight. There are several good suggestions there ;^)

It that doesn't help, try Click and Clack on Car Talk (PBS radio) Saturday mornings.

If neither of those work - and your car is old - it sounds like you may need a new coil.



yahrling@cybertours.com

[Jose Siqueira]

I had the same problem with my Spider Fiat when I was going to college. They said was vapor lock and I fix it by instaling an electric fuel pump.
Good luck ...... Zé.

I am clueless about cars. My car has this habit of not starting. It's usually after I have been driving for a while. Then if I turn the car off for a few minutes to run in a store or something, it won't start when I come back out. It starts up again about an hour later. Yesterday, it died on me on the road. I was stopped and waiting to make a left turn. It started up again later. Can someone tell me what the problem might be and how much it might cost to repair?

siqueija@sterlingdi.com

[Duncan Maio]

I am clueless about cars. My car has this habit of not starting. It's usually after I have been driving for a while. Then if I turn the car off for a few minutes to run in a store or something, it won't start when I come back out. It starts up again about an hour later. Yesterday, it died on me on the road. I was stopped and waiting to make a left turn. It started up again later. Can someone tell me what the problem might be and how much it might cost to repair?

The problem, of course, is that you are driving AWAY from the marina or boatyard where your sailboat is berthed. Or perhaps you haven't been to visit at all recently, and your boat, being a superior form of transportation, has taken over your car's soul in order to send you a message. Is there a breeze when your car will not start?

-Duncan Maio
CD27 #37
Jeep Grand Cherokee '97



dmaio@att.net

[John Phillips]

It sounds like something temperature related. It could be vapor lock or it could be an overheated module of some sort. If it is a GM in the late 80's or early 90's with a 3800 engine they exhibited these symptons and it was the cam sensor. Find a good mechanic and have him duplicate the no start condition and he should find it right away. Of course it may cost you the price of a good furling system.

I am clueless about cars. My car has this habit of not starting. It's usually after I have been driving for a while. Then if I turn the car off for a few minutes to run in a store or something, it won't start when I come back out. It starts up again about an hour later. Yesterday, it died on me on the road. I was stopped and waiting to make a left turn. It started up again later. Can someone tell me what the problem might be and how much it might cost to repair?

sailboat@gpcom.net

[Lyn Heiges]

I am clueless about cars. My car has this habit of not starting. It's usually after I have been driving for a while. Then if I turn the car off for a few minutes to run in a store or something, it won't start when I come back out. It starts up again about an hour later. Yesterday, it died on me on the road. I was stopped and waiting to make a left turn. It started up again later. Can someone tell me what the problem might be and how much it might cost to repair?

The problem, of course, is that you are driving AWAY from the marina or boatyard where your sailboat is berthed. Or perhaps you haven't been to visit at all recently, and your boat, being a superior form of transportation, has taken over your car's soul in order to send you a message. Is there a breeze when your car will not start?

-Duncan Maio
CD27 #37
Jeep Grand Cherokee '97

Duncan,

This IS the ABSOLUTE BEST response I have ever seen!!! Has to be the TRUTH!!

By the way, vapor lock is more prevalent in higher altitudes to occur.

Lyn Heiges
97 GMC Jimmy (63,000 miles)
92 Saturn SL-2 (108,000 miles)
80 CD 27 GUILLEMOT (400 statute miles and 3000 miles maybe)
81 CD 28 MOON CHILD (2500 statute miles and 3000 nautical miles maybe)



lheiges@compuseve.com

[Dennis Truett]

Stacy... Seriously... Can you remember if this happens more if your turning to Port or Starboard? If it's to port, it's probably your frapasziodal valve located on the starboard side, just aft of your forward bulkhead (Fire wall) It should be Brown in color,just as all Cape Dory accessories are. When you find it you should check it for the proper level of sea water. If it's low, leave it that way, I have found that they work better like that! The valve goes dry only when you come about too fast. To avoid this You should try making slower tacks....uh,uh I mean turns! If it happens to starboard, I haven't got a clue. Maybe you could try only making left hand turns for awhile and see if it goes away! As far as cost goes, I would think 5 doubloons would cover the cost if replacement is necessary. Be careful... there's some real automotive repair PIRATES out there!

Sorry! After reading all the others, I just couldn't resist!
Dennis cd 22
Starcraft 16
All American Soap box derby racer
67' Corvette
90' Mustang
94 Ford taurus SHO

I am clueless about cars. My car has this habit of not starting. It's usually after I have been driving for a while. Then if I turn the car off for a few minutes to run in a store or something, it won't start when I come back out. It starts up again about an hour as all Cape Dories accessories are)later. Yesterday, it died on me on the road. I was stopped and waiting to make a left turn. It started up again later. Can someone tell me what the problem might be and how much it might cost to repair?

[Catherine Monaghan]

Like a sailboat without wind, a car won't move with out lots of air. When was the last time you replaced the air filter? To test if it's the air filter or not, the next time the car won't start, remove the air filter and then try starting her. If she starts, replace the filter. There may also be a problem with carburation.

catherine_monaghan@merck.com
CD32 Realization
Raritan Bay

I am clueless about cars. My car has this habit of not starting. It's usually after I have been driving for a while. Then if I turn the car off for a few minutes to run in a store or something, it won't start when I come back out. It starts up again about an hour later. Yesterday, it died on me on the road. I was stopped and waiting to make a left turn. It started up again later. Can someone tell me what the problem might be and how much it might cost to repair?

catherine_monaghan@merck.com