Diagnosing why your engine won’t
start f alls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
key to START (III):You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine’s starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.
You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
f aster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run. Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
Turn on the headlights and check
their brightness. If the headlights
are very dim or don’t light at all,
the battery is discharged. See
on page .
When you turn the ignition switch to
START (III), you do not hear the
normal noise of the engine trying to
start. You may hear a clicking sound
or series of clicks, or nothing at all.
Check these things:
Turn the ignition switch to START
(III). If the headlights do not dim,
check the condition of the f uses. If
thefusesareOK,thereisproba-
bly something wrong with the
electrical circuit f or the ignition
switch or starter motor. You will
need a qualif ied technician to
determine the problem. (See on page .)
Check the transmission interlock.
If you have a manual transmission,
the clutch pedal must be pushed
all the way to the f loor or the
starter will not operate. With an
automatic transmission, it must be
in Park or Neutral. 320
337
Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
Jump Starting
Emergency T owing
If Your Engine Won’t Start
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed318
CONT INUED
..............................
Economy, Fuel .190
............
Emergencies on the Road . 307
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 320
...........
Brake System Indicator . 329................
Changing a Flat Tire . 308
.....
Charging System Indicator . 326
..................
Checking the Fuses . 332
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 325
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 327
...
Manually Closing Moonroof . 330
..................
Overheated Engine . 323
...........................
Emergency Brake .82
......................
Emergency Flashers .81
......................
Emergency Towing .337
.......................
Emissions Controls .348
.............
Emissions Testing, State . 351
Engine ....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 74
...................................
Drive Belt .277
......
Engine Speed Limiter . 203,208
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .66, 327
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 66,325
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 247
...............................
Overheating .323
............................
Specif ications .342
.......................................
Starting .200
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .346
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 348
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .60 Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
........................................
Belts by .21
..................
Exterior,Cleaningthe .298
............................
Fabric, Cleaning .302
...................................
Fan, Interior .128
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience .127
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 185
Filters ................................
Air Cleaner .265
.........................
Dust and Pollen .275
...............................................
Oil .249
5-speed Manual Transmission ...............
Checking Fluid Level . 261
................................
Shif ting the .202
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 81
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 308
Dipstick
..........
Automatic Transmission . 260
..................................
Engine Oil .188
..........................
Directional Signals .77
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 211
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .250
Doors ..............
Locking and Unlocking . 88
......................
Power Door Locks .88
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 344
Downshif ting, 5-speed Manual .............................
Transmission .202
.......................................
Drive Belt .277
...........................................
Driving .197
....................................
Economy .190
.........................
In Bad Weather .215
................
In Foreign Countries . 347
........................
Driving Guidelines .198
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 275
Index
E F
III
Fluids..........
Automatic Transmission . 260
..........................................
Brake .263
.........................................
Clutch .264
..............
Manual Transmission . 261
..........................
Power Steering .264
.......................
Rear Differential .262
..................
Windshield Washer . 258
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .161
.........................
Folding Rear Seat .104
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in . 347
..........................
Four-way Flashers .81
............................
Front Airbags .10, 54
.................................................
Fuel .184
......................
Fill Door and Cap .185
...........................................
Gauge .74
................
Octane Requirement . 184
...............................
Oxygenated .346
........................
Reserve Indicator .69
........................
Tank, Filling the .185
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .331
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving . 190..........................................
Gasohol .346
.........................................
Gasoline .184
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 69
...........................................
Gauge .74
................
Octane Requirement . 184
........................
Tank, Filling the .185
................
Gas Station Procedures . 185
Gauges ...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 74
...............................................
Fuel .74
...............................
Speedometer .72
.................................
Tachometer .72
Gearshif t Lever Positions ..........
Automatic Transmission . 204
5-speed Manual .........................
Transmission .203
..............................
Glass Cleaning .303
........................................
Glove Box .96
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 287
.....................................
Hatch Glass .94
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 81
Headlights ........................................
Aiming .287 ............
Daytime Running Lights . 77
..................
High Beam Indicator . 69
........................
Reminder Beeper .76
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 287
...................................
Turning on .76
..............................
Head Restraints .99
.....................
Heating and Cooling .128
.............
High Altitude, Starting at . 201
.................
High-Low Beam Switch . 76
..............
High-mount Brake Light . 292
....................................
Hood Latch .266
.......................
Hood, Opening the .186
..............................................
Horn .3,75
...........................
Hydraulic Clutch .264
.................................
Hydroplaning .216
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 340
Ignition ..............................................
Keys .84
...........................................
Switch .86
............
Timing Control System . 349
........................
Immobilizer System .85
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 6
.........
Indicators, Instrument Panel . 65
Index
G H
I
IV