Plymouth Colt Car is hard to start Inspection at your home or office.

Our certified mobile mechanics come to you 7 days a week between 7 AM and 9 PM.

Estimate price near me

Service Location

Customer Ratings

(156)

How A Diagnostic Works

Instantly book a certified mobile mechanic to come to you

Mechanic diagnoses the problem and quotes necessary repairs

Your vehicle is ready to go

Fair, upfront & transparent pricing for all services

Our certified mobile mechanics can come to you now.

Customer Ratings

(156)

Car is hard to start Inspection Service

How much does a Car is hard to start Inspection cost?

On average, the cost for a Plymouth Colt Car is hard to start Inspection is $95 with $0 for parts and $95 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

CarServiceEstimateShop/Dealer Price
1987 Plymouth ColtL4-1.5LService typeCar is hard to start InspectionEstimate$114.99Shop/Dealer Price$124.99 - $132.49
1989 Plymouth ColtL4-1.8LService typeCar is hard to start InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
1982 Plymouth ColtL4-1.4LService typeCar is hard to start InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
1978 Plymouth ColtL4-2.0LService typeCar is hard to start InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$104.99 - $112.48
1989 Plymouth ColtL4-1.6L TurboService typeCar is hard to start InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.02 - $112.55
1987 Plymouth ColtL4-1.6L TurboService typeCar is hard to start InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
1982 Plymouth ColtL4-1.6LService typeCar is hard to start InspectionEstimate$99.99Shop/Dealer Price$109.87 - $117.28
1990 Plymouth ColtL4-1.6L TurboService typeCar is hard to start InspectionEstimate$99.99Shop/Dealer Price$110.24 - $117.94
Show example Plymouth Colt Car is hard to start Inspection prices

A car that is hard to start can be a major inconvenience. While this is usually not a life threatening malfunction, it can make getting around much more difficult. There are a number of issues that will make a car hard to start. Everything from the electrical system to the fuel system to the actual starter itself can be the problem.

Finding the root cause of a hard starting engine can take some investigation. Ignoring a hard starting issue can further damage the vehicle, which will often result in a more expensive repair.

How this system works:

In order to get an engine running, it must be turned at speed so that it starts to suck fuel and air into the cylinders, and then compress and ignite this fuel/air mixture.

The starter motor is an electric motor that turns the engine to get it started. The starter motor has a small pinion gear wheel that engages with a larger gear ring at the rim of the engine flywheel.

The starter motor draws the electric current it needs to run from the battery. The starter needs a heavy current and to avoid sparking a solenoid is used. The ignition switch operates the starter motor. When the ignition is turned on, current is fed to the solenoid and into the starter motor. Once the car engine starts and the key is released, the starter motor turns off.

Common reasons for this to happen:

  • Bad Starter: Over time starter motors can wear out and start to malfunction. If this is the problem the starter will have to be replaced. If the car turns over, the problem is not the starter. If nothing happens when the key is turned the problem could be the starter, or if the car turns over very slowly and the dash lights dim while it is cranking, the starter could be the culprit.

  • Bad Relay Wiring: The wiring between the battery and starter can become loose or broken which will prevent the starter motor from functioning. The wiring will need to be replaced or repaired.

  • Low or Dead Battery: The starter motor needs voltage from the battery to operate. If the battery is low or failing it may not produce enough current for the starter motor to function. Charging or replacing the batter should resolve this problem.

It is also possible that the battery terminals have become corroded or loose. Cleaning and tightening the terminals and cables is recommended.

  • Failing Solenoid: A failing solenoid is a common issue with the starter system and if the solenoid is going bad, the car will be difficult to start. The starter will need to be inspected to determine if the problem is the starter motor itself or the solenoid. A failing solenoid will need to be replaced.

  • Failing Ignition Switch: Over time an ignition switch can start to fail and one of the most common symptoms is that the car is hard to start. If the ignition switch is hot to the touch this indicates an issue with the ignition switch wiring. A failing ignition switch will eventually stop working completely and will need to be replaced.

  • Defective Fuel Pump: If the engine is not getting enough fuel, it will be hard, if not impossible to start. The fuel pump is responsible for pulling gas from the tank to the injectors and if it is not delivering enough fuel the car will be difficult to start and eventually will not start at all.

  • Fouled Plugs: Spark plugs create the spark which allows the vehicle to burn fuel. Fouled plugs are one of the most common reasons for a hard starting engine. As electrodes wear down, the voltage required to jump the gap to ignite the fuel increases. This can lead to prolonged cranking before the engine will start.

  • Clogged Fuel Filter: A fuel filter that is clogged can make a vehicle very difficult to start. The fuel filter screens out contaminants and can become clogged over time. This will prevent the injectors from getting enough fuel, making the car hard to start.

  • Contaminated Fuel: Fuel that has too much alcohol or water in it will result in a car that is difficult and often impossible to start. Even if it does start, contaminated fuel can do serious damage to the engine. If contaminated fuel is suspected, have the vehicle inspected immediately.

What to expect:

A top-rated mobile mechanic will come to your home or office to determine the source and cause of the hard to start issue, ​and will then provide a detailed inspection report that includes the scope and cost of the necessary repairs.

How it's done:

The starter, battery, connecting wiring and other important components will be inspected by the mechanic. This may include the vehicle's fuel pump, fuel filter, spark plugs, ignition and more. It may be necessary for the mechanic to crank up the car to verify the problem and issue an accurate diagnosis.

How important is this service?

If a car is hard to start, it's indicative of a major condition preventing normal operation and if left unattended it may lead to the car not starting at all. The vehicle should be inspected and repaired as soon as possible.

Fast and easy service at your home or office

Backed by 12-month, 12.000-mile guarantee


Meet some of our expert Plymouth mechanics

Real customer reviews from Plymouth owners like you.

Excellent Rating

(156)

Rating Summary
143
5
1
1
6
143
5
1
1
6

Nate

21 years of experience
90 reviews
Nate
21 years of experience
Plymouth Colt L4-1.5L - Car is not starting - Austell, Georgia

Jason

17 years of experience
429 reviews
Jason
17 years of experience
Plymouth Colt L4-1.5L - Oil or Fluid is leaking - San Jose, California
Excellent mechanic!! Get's an A+ from us. Quality work, very personable. Would not hesitate to use him again!! (Forgot to put a rating in right after the work was done, so I am doing it now. The repair was done a while ago.... still running great with no problems. Fixed the problem and after all this time is still running well!!)

Ian

15 years of experience
133 reviews
Ian
15 years of experience
Plymouth Barracuda V8-4.5L - Car is not starting - Edmonds, Washington
Ian worked on my '66 Barracuda and got it started. He was professional, friendly and very tolerant of my questions and pesky dog. I highly recommend him and would gladly have him work on any other vehicle we own. What a terrific experience it turned out to be~!

John

20 years of experience
568 reviews
John
20 years of experience
Plymouth Road Runner V8-5.2L - Intake Manifold Gaskets - Orlando, Florida
Professional. Could not have gone better.

Excellent Rating

(156)

Rating Summary
143
5
1
1
6
143
5
1
1
6
Number of Plymouth services completed
1716+
services done by our mechanics
TOTAL NUMBER OF EXPERT Plymouth MECHANICS
100+
experts on our platform

Recent articles & questions

How Long Does a Throttle Body Temp Sensor Last?
The The throttle body is an important part of your vehicle and should be monitored regularly. The throttle body temp sensor is a sensor that is mounted on the throttle body. It monitors the temperature of the throttle body and...
How to Replace a Lost or Stolen Car Title in New Jersey
While While you may think you have placed your car title somewhere safe there is no guarantee that it won't be lost at some point or even worse it could be stolen. This title is what proves you are the...
P001F OBD-II Trouble Code: “A” Camshaft Profile Control Circuit High
P001F P001F code definition The P001F code indicates a problem with the timing in your engine. What the P001F code means This PCM code means that the signals that are moving between the crankshaft and the camshaft are not in...

Station wagon sputters and hesitates

It will depend on the the fault that is stored causing the service engine soon light to be illuminated. Based on the description, I would suspect either an input sensor to the engine management system, such as an oxygen sensor,...

Flashing CEL

The codes you recorded, P0304 (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p0303-obd-ii-trouble-code-cylinder-3-misfire-detected-by-spencer-clayton), P0171 (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p0171-obd-ii-trouble-code-system-too-lean-bank-1-by-andrew-quinn), P0301 (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p0301-obd-ii-trouble-code-cylinder-1-misfire-detected-by-jamahl-walker), P0300 (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p0300-obd-ii-trouble-code-random-multiple-cylinder-misfire-detected-by-jamahl-walker), all pertain to engine misfiring. The flashing of the Check Engine Light (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/check-engine-light-is-on-inspection) signifies that the misfiring is "active" (ongoing) and consequently you should try to get the...

Electrical issues with the gauges, interior lights, and rear wiper blade.

Hi there. When it comes to multiple systems and the electrical circuits malfunction, there is a power and ground issue. Check the battery cables and clean them with a tooth brush and baking soda with water. This will clean off...

How can we help?

Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST.

1 (855) 347-2779 · hi@yourmechanic.com