Hmm. what happened to my car?

[HELBND]

ok, i started my car yesterday, then wandered off to get the neighbours to move their car out of my way. as i was waiting for them to answer the door, i heald a squeal/squawk and my car stopped running.

now when i try to start it, all i can hear is a whirring noise, like the starter is spinning but not engaging. and i cant see how the starter disengaging would stop the engine running. starter seems to still be in place and cambelt seems to be intact.

any help much appreciated

Cheers

Ben

[edwagon]

Maybe the starter didn't disengage and the overrunning clutch overheated, seizing (the shreik you heard) and damaged the sprags in he clutch unit? that would definantly stop it from engaging and turning the flywheel, hence the whirring.

[flygt4]

maybe it swallowed a cat

[edwagon]

I actually know a dreadful story invloving a old holden with solid metal fan, large shroud, sleeping cat and a slow cranking engine.....

If its not the starter itself, check that the engine itself will turn over, incase its a seized idler/aircon/ps pump/camshaft etc etc and the starter is a co-incedence.

Have you tried giving the starter a sharp tap with a hammer or sim? is it manual - will it crash start?

[crnkin]

Honestly, this is how you should approach it.

Take one large metal hammer. None of this rubber mallet bull.

Tap the starter very firmly 5 times.

Try to start

Repeat until something happens, or you get bored.

[UTERUS]

Honestly, this is how you should approach it.

Take one large metal hammer. None of this rubber mallet bull.

Tap the starter very firmly 5 times.

Try to start

Repeat until something happens, or you get bored.

This man speaks the truth, it worked on my bung starter motors

[THA SHZ]

ben , pull the can cover off and make sure that the belt is tensioned and fine , there is a possibility that it could have slipped a tooth or bunged up , otherwise if that is fine , then give the starter a good few hard whacks and see if that helps , it may just be the solenoid , tis quite common on the 4age starters .

[l1ttle_d3vil]

Honestly, this is how you should approach it.
Take one large metal hammer. None of this rubber mallet bull.
Tap the starter very firmly 5 times.
Try to start
Repeat until something happens, or you get bored.

but would that cause the engine to die while already running? wouldnt a jammed starter just prevent the starter from "firing" again?

or am i just stupid?

[evil_si]

a loud squeal and engine stopping generally indicates engine seizure.

get a 19mm socket and try and turn the engine over on the crank pulley.

[DFECTED]

yeah, check your oil

[CAMB01]

Could have seized and stripped some teeth off the cambelt, the cambelt would still be intact, but have stripped teeth, usually down on the crank sprocket.