Q: Car getting no fire. Battery checked and is good. Started up, drove 4 miles to work. Tried to crank, nothing.

asked by on September 19, 2016

My Fiero won't start. It had been overheating, I changed the thermostat and thermostat housing cap. Refilled fluid. Started next morning, drove 4 miles to work. Shut off. About 1 hour later I noticed a coolant leak under car. Went to start. Nothing. I had previously noticed the key getting "caught" when trying to start. Would have to move steering wheel and force key turn. Don't have the knowledge to troubleshoot or to fix it. Thinking ICM, or starter, although I think I hear the starter clicking.

Car is not starting Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Hi there, thanks for writing in. I’d be happy to help. You appear to have more than one problem. This would not be out of the ordinary for a 1986 vehicle. Let’s begin with the key getting caught. Having to move the steering wheel to get the key to turn is normal. When the steering wheel is pinned to one direction against the steering wheel lock pin in the steering column, it binds the ignition lock cylinder making the key hard to turn. By moving the steering wheel a little, you unbind it and the key can then turn. If this is a problem for you, make sure the steering wheel isn’t against the lock pin when you park your car.

Coolant leaks should be taken care of first because you can’t diagnose a car that is leaking fluid. It will eventually overheat, makes a mess and can cause other more severe problems. If the source of the leak isn’t obvious, you will need a cooling system pressure tester. This will pressurize your cooling system and make it leak out of any spots that are weak. Then you can locate the source of the leak and repair it. Do this first.

When it comes to starting issues, it’s important to differentiate between a crank no start and a no crank. These two symptoms are distinctly different. Because you state the starter is clicking, this suggests you have a no crank. If this is the case, it won’t be an ICM as you call it. The universal terms for the computer is ECM (electronic control unit) and PCM (powertrain control module). These do not control the cranking of the motor. They do however play a part in your car starting once the starter turns the motor over.

With no cranks, the suspect items are the battery, starter, ignition switch and bad connections. In fact, when this system fails to work, it is always a bad connection. It could be at the battery posts, in the starter itself, or another component. Diagnosing this condition is simply locating which component has the bad electrical connection. I recommend the following inspection to help you find the bad connection: Car is not starting inspection

Hope this helps and best of luck!

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How do I adjust the auto light sensitivity?
When your headlights are in automatic mode, they will come on whenever the vehicle detects that it is dark outside. However, you can adjust the sensitivity of the light sensor by choosing one of five settings: Max (lights will come...
What signs do i look for to know if a car motor has a cracked block?
Some of the signs of a cracked engine block is oil and water being mixed. Any external leaks on the block can be coolant or oil. The problem with a cracked block is that you can have the same symptoms...
Sputtering. 1998 Ford Ranger
Hi there. This vehicle had a few different problems that could cause the symptoms you have. A common reason is the vehicle losing the fuel pressure from the fuel pump going bad (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/fuel-pump-replacement). Additionally, the ignition module, distributor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/distributor-rotor-and-cap-replacement), starter...
My suv wont start. It shows DSC malfunction and 4x4 problems.
The DME relay is a dual relay that powers the fuel system. This relay is typically located in the fuse box located inside of the ECU compartment. There will be several locations in the vehicle that will house fuses and...
Clicking sound.
This is likely a problem with something on your starter called a starter solenoid. The starter solenoid is located on the starter and has internal electrical contacts that transmit electricity to the starter. As electricity is supplied to the starter...
Reduced Engine Power and Truck won't start. PLEASE HELP ASAP! Thanks!
Hello, thank you for writing in. The reduced power light will either trigger when there is malfunction with the vehicle and it is trying to protect itself, or when the engine actually suffers a loss in power and is struggling...
I am getting a squeaking noise from the left rear wheel not coming from the brakes on my 2013 Porsche Panamera 4
Hi there. In most cases, a squeaking noise coming from a wheel is caused by worn out wheel bearings. This is common with a Porsche and many other European performance models around 50,000 miles. However, it could also be a...
Sporadically overheating
Hi There, It sounds like you may possibly have a blown head gasket, but performing a compression test will certainly help to narrow this down. A compression test will indocate how much compression (PSI) is present in each cylinder. If...
My ac compressor quit working in my 2016 vw jetta what could be the main cause for this being brand new?
VW has seen a lot of problems with these compressors and has issued a service bulletin on some of their 2015 and 2016 cars. There is a defective regulating valve that causes compressor failure. In many cases they are...

Related articles

Can a Bad Sensor Prevent a Car From Starting?
If your car isn't starting or has a hard time starting, a faulty sensor may be to blame. Car sensors monitor data to keep your car running smoothly.
The Most and Least Expensive Cars to Maintain
Luxury cars, such as BMWs, are the most expensive and Toyotas are the most cost efficient. Driving style also affects car maintenance costs.
How to Troubleshoot a Car That is Hard to Start
"Car not starting" is a common complaint among car owners and is caused by faulty car batteries, spark plugs, car starter, or fuel pump.