car not been turned in 3 months..how??

[sarahmicra83]

Can anybody help me please, I've got a little nissan micra Colette, 1987 model.. it worked fine, though I got ill for a while and didn't start it (for about 3 months)..

I could really use some advice on how to get it started myself, as I need to get some driving practice in in this next week, as I've got my practical driving test in a week and a half!!

If I send it in to a mechanic it could take a while to be seen, and sorted out, not to mention I'm skint at the moment...

Is it possible to do anything myself?? If there are any mechanics out there, I'd be grateful if you could help!

cheers..

(Damsel in distress)

[rage2]

Just start it. It's only 3 months.

[sarahmicra83]

YES THANKS FOR THE USEFUL TIP.. I MAY BE A WOMAN BUT I HAVE ALREADY TRIED STARTING IT
!!!!

CAN ANYONE HELP ME, I DONT MIND GETTING MY HANDS DIRTY IF SOMEONE CAN TELL ME WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT

SAZ X

[Strider]

what happens when you try to start it?
any noises?
does it crank?

[sarahmicra83]

nothing happens its just quiet, i dont know if the engine has seized up?

[sarahmicra83]

what if there was a crank? would that have been better for me if there was?

thanks sarah x

[Strider]

do the accessories turn on?? ie radio, etc?
could be the battery

[sarahmicra83]

ive just had another go, it tries to start but it wont do!??

[sarahmicra83]

yes they come on, just the car wont start

i despair!!

saz x

[Zero102]

Hmm, if the engine is turning, but won't start, it could be a few things.
First of all, if it has been sitting for 3 months, the fuel lines could be dry, might take a while to start. Just remember, for every 20 seconds of turning it over, give it 40 seconds to rest (otherwise you risk overheating the starter motor).
Is it carburated or fuel injected?
I would guess carburated, but I could be wrong.
That would be much easier to sort out than a fuel injected car.
Unfortunately it is quite difficult to troubleshoot this from such a great distance, but I'll give it a shot.
Okay, it needs 3 things to start, spark, fuel and compression (go figuire).
So, if it's not starting, you're not getting one of them, so let's check it all out.
If you have a friend to help you, you can remove a spark plug, reconnect the wire to it, and rest it on the valve cover (or somewhere else suitable, that is grounded), and either have the friend turn it over, or watch for a spark.
If you have spark, then all that's left is to have spark at the right time.
I have a hard time imagining that the spark plug wires got switched, or the rotor installed incorrectly while the car is sitting, so the ignition timing is probably alright. So you have 1 part of the equation.
I have severe doubts that you have too little compression for the engine to start, so now you have 2 parts.
Next up is fuel, the trouble shooting depends on whether it is fuel injected or carburated.
I don't want to just guess then write a big writeup on it, so I'll wait until you write back to start that part.

Hope this helps a little bit.

[mrbojangles]

I may be stating the obvious, but how's the battery? It possibly could have lost it's charge sitting? Try a boost.

[BBMac]

I would have the battery tested. It may not be the problem but atleast it eliminates one thing and it's free for testing at most places. Not sure about england though if thats actually where you live.

[sarahmicra83]

thanks for the reply, well its carburated my car not fuel injected just to answer your question.

saz x

[Zero102]

Okie dokie, that's good news.
Makes fuel system trouble shooting much easier, because there are no reference sensors or anything =) (well for mpfi or SFI at least)
I have been awake for far too long, and am no longer very coherent, so I will attempt to help you troubleshoot in the near future, just not quite yet =)

[t3rry]

hold it to the floor and crank it til it starts

[GTS Jeff]

yell at it, seriously it works. if that doesnt work, get a boost or push start it.

ure from england right? arrr matey.

[hjr]

shes a chick, not a bloke. geez...

anyways, listen carefully when you turn the key. If you hear a definite click from the engine area then it is most likely a dead battery. Jeff is right about a push start, that may work to get it going. Are get the car boosted from a friend or family member.

[Zero102]

Perhaps I misunderstood, I thought it was turning over, but not starting, but I suppose she didn't say so.

[illeagle]

Battery... If the car was running 3 monthes before, it should be the battery.

[africano]

she said it was turning over and the accesories work, so it's not the battery, if you want to add a suggestion read the tread first. Secondly, she's in england so no-one here can help her (she asked for a mechanic).