☰
GET A QUOTE

Q: Starts only when moving flywheel

asked by on August 29, 2016

My automatic transmission will only start if I go underneath the car and move the flywheel drive plate. I was having problems starting my car, so I decided to buy a new starter and install it. I went underneath the car to move the flywheel on the transmission with a screwdriver and it started! Hooray! This is the only way that I can get it to start though. My starter will crank but the engine won’t. Do you have any thoughts or ideas to help me solve these problems? Thank you so much.

Recommended Services

Crankshaft Position Sensor Replacement $120.83 - $900.50 Get a Quote
Starter Replacement $169.22 - $1153.49 Get a Quote
Camshaft Position Sensor Replacement $119.59 - $907.58 Get a Quote
Car will not turn over Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote
Or For Any Other Auto Repairs Get a Quote

Hello there, there are a few potential reasons for why your car will only start when the flywheel is turned. The most common would be the crankshaft position sensor, weak or binding starter, or a faulty cam sensor. If you are still having problems, have a qualified technician, such as one from YourMechanic, diagnose the turnover issue and guide you with the correct repair.

Oldsmobile
flywheels
Starters
transmissions
ignition system
1995
Achieva
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

Fuel leaking out of car
The fuel lines and filter would have to be checked to see what is causing your leak. I recommend you do not attempt to drive the vehicle till having it looked at and fixed. The leak may pose a fire...
Read more
May need new alternator
You may have a bad alternator, but I get a lot of customers who think that the alternator is bad, when the problem is actually with the battery or its terminals. I recommend that you have a mechanic, like the...
Read more
Power steering not working in a 2003 Acura CL
Commonly in your car, there is an o-ring on the power steering pump that will, over time, get brittle, and leak. When this happens, the pump can suck air into the power steering fluid and cause the fluid to aerate,...
Read more
Difficulty accelerating during cold start
Hey there. The most common causes of the decreased throttle response is due to a torque converter fault or a failing fuel pump. The first thing a technician would do is to check the code to get a better idea...
Read more
The security indicator light started blinking, but it never did that.
If your aftermarket alarm system light is blinking then this only means that the system is active. If you look under the dash where you may have been cleaning, you may have a small black button or a small toggle...
Read more
P2006 code - intake runner stuck closed
When you got a 1.6 volt reading from the test you did, this is not a normal test done for this code. Only a proper pinpoint done by a manufacturer approved test procedure would be able to diagnose the system...
Read more
Belts keeps breaking - 1992 Mercury Capri
Hello. If this all started after the alternator was replaced, then that is more than likely the problem. If the alternator is defective and has an internal bearing failure then this will occur. Also, if the alternator is not mounted...
Read more
My car stalled, I checked the oil and it was low. I added 2 quarts and barely made it 4 blocks. There is no pressure when pressing the gas.
This may or may not be related to the low oil level (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/oil-level-is-low-inspection). If the car was overheated and potentially has developed a blown head gasket, this may be possibly what have caused the stall. When this happens, the cylinder...
Read more
Noise after timing belt and water pump replaced
It is certainly possible that something could have gone wrong during the repair. The best thing to do in this situation is to return to the mechanic who did the repairs and ask them to give your vehicle as second...
Read more

Related articles

Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Low Water Sensor
If your car has low coolant without a warning, the Coolant Light comes on for no reason, or the car is overheating, replace the low water sensor.
Read more
How Long Does a Shift Selector Cable Last?
When When you put your gear selector in drive, you expect to be able to move forward. When you shift to reverse, you expect the car to back up. When everything’s working right, that’s what happens. However, if there is...
Read more
How to Remove, Install, and Adjust Ignition Timing
Ignition distributors help spark the gas and air in the engine. Worn distributors need to be removed to be cleaned to maintain proper ignition timing.
Read more

Browse other content

Estimates
Services
Cities
Maintenance