Posted on 12/06/2012 5:34:39 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Can you beleive both cars towed home within 24 hours! Hers I think has a fuel starvation problem of some kind. It'll turn over but won't start. On my old thing the ignition won't turn with the key in it. Suggestions? I don't know how she'll be going to work until I get one fixed.
Hers: Makes a banging noise when it’s trying to start.
Mine: No, will not turn at all.
My mother pulled into the driveway to fast once and it tripped the fuel shutoff switch. Was running fine when she parked it but wouldn’t start. Tow truck guy look in her manual and found the switch. Reset it and fired right up.
Do you hear a click or clicking?
For yours, there might be nothing more than a strain on the ignition lock. Try slightly turning the steering wheel in one direction while trying to start it. If that doesn’t work, try turning it in the other and repeat.
Buddy, you’re going to have to get specific. As far as the older car, make sure your cables attached to the batteries are not green. The key issue on the other is a brake pedal vs tranny position vs steering column.
Some of the newer cars will also not start if the gas cap fails!
I had AAA put 3 gallons in it to see.
It’s the right key.
If you both bought gas at the same station recently, check for water in the fuel.
Yes, earlier in the day and also in a parking lot.
By 'won't turn' I thought he was referring to the engine too, but he's apparently saying the key literally won't turn.
Yeah. I had to re read that.
Hers is gasoline, mine is diesel.
Yours, with the key thing....this can be a lot of things. I have found that ignition interlock keys or chipped ignition interlock keys can begin to operate a little intermittently as they age. Maybe the teeth on the key wear down; sometimes it is a matter of the steering wheel being left in a too-extreme position...imagine turning really hard to get into a parking place and turning off the engine right when the wheel is all the way at one end of its rotation. Try not to do that. Get into your spot, then un-turn the wheel back in the direction of the center. If the key is worn, maybe it’s just not activating the tumblers enough. If that is the case, you may need to get a new key made. Cheap, if it is just a vanilla key, and I would try that first for $1-2-3. More expensive if it is a chipped key. Some auto parts dealers can make chipped keys for $40 or so...dealers usually want hundreds of $$.
Not to leave any stone unturned for you, have you tried inserting the key the other way up? On my old Ford, the key is a mirror image on each side. Over time one side wore down just enough on one side to not properly engage the pins. Inserted the other way, it worked just fine. If you have another key, try that as well. Sometimes the simplest things will work. Otherwise, I dunno.
With the Kia, turn the key to “on”, not start. You should hear a whine which is the electric fuel pump in the back of the car kicking in. I doubt the Kia has a mechanical fuel pump.
If there isn’t a whining sound, either the emergency shut off switch clicked off (happens to prevent fires in an accident) or the fuel pump needs to be replaced.
As far as the MBZ goes, I’ve owned four of them and never had a Key issue. Best guess the key is worn, since they used a regular type key back then rather than the electronic plug in type they use today. Either than, or the ignition switch needs to be replaced.
The only other option, have both cars towed to their respective Dealers and have them do the work.
Here in NJ Home Depot is now making chipped keys.
The independent M-B shop where we have maintenance (very seldom) done, diagnosed the trouble as "crankshaft position sensor". Now I suspect that is basically similar to what we oldtimers used to call "distributor rotor". Anyway, it's a solid state device which I am told does eventually become sensitive to heat and consequently fails. Easily accessible and not too expensive to replace. Just another wonderful "advancement" in automotive science.
I think this is the problem. BAD FUEL!
Last week a couples Lexus stopped in front of our business and wouldn’t start. They bought a fuel additive for water and put it in the gas tank. They let it set overnight....and bingo the car started the next morning an drove off. Sorry I didn’t get the name of the treatmentt any automotive parts store should know what it is.
Batches of bad fuel have been popping up quite regularly especially in California. Best of luck!
“Put some light lube on the key and work it around in the lock.”
Locksmiths tell you not to do this. Use powdered graphite instead.
Keys do get worn and I’ve had the same problem before myself.
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