Fix It

In the early 1900s, people had to start their vehicles by turning a large crank at the front of the vehicle. In 1911, Cadillac approved Charles F. Ketterings design of the electric starter for its 1912 model year cars. Replacing a starter can be a difficult task in some vehicles, and it can be frustrating when the car does not start after all of your work. There are four main reasons for your car not cranking when you just got a new starter for it.

Incorrect Wiring

There are three wires that connect to the rear of the starter solenoid on most cars. If you forgot to label these wires and incorrectly reinstalled them, the starter will not work at all. Double-check the wiring of the starter against a wiring schematic for the starting system and adjust it, as needed.

Electrical Shorts

Any time you replace any electrical component on your vehicle that has constant voltage from the battery, you must disconnect the battery prior to servicing it. If you left the battery connected while installing the starter, it is possible for you to unintentionally touch the power and ground cables together. This may cause a short inside the battery or in the wiring, resulting in the car not starting. Check the voltage coming into the starter, using a voltmeter. If little or no voltage comes into the starter, inspect the wires and battery for shorts.

Misdiagnosis

It is possible that the starter was not the problem to begin with. If not correctly diagnosed, it is easy to mistake many other problems with starter failure. Some problems that result in similar symptoms as a failed starter include, but are not limited to: failed ignition switch, discharged battery, loose battery cables, security system failure, failed starter solenoid (if separate) or damaged flywheel or flexplate.

Faulty Starter

When the manufacturer builds a new starter or rebuilds an old starter, it tests the starters prior to shipping them to retail stores or end-users. This testing typically catches any failed starters prior to shipment, but human error does allow for a small percentage of failed starters to ship out. After checking the areas described in the three previous sections, remove the starter and take it to a local parts store to have it tested. In the future, have all electro-mechanical components tested before installing them.

Your cars trunk is designed to securely and safely store groceries, luggage or anything else you might want to put into it. If your trunk is doing its job a little too well--namely, if you cant get inside your trunk--try not to panic. Although there may indeed be a problem with your trunk itself, your first priority should be getting your belongings out of it--and during this process, you may just find the solution to the problem.

Instructions

1

Try using multiple methods to open your trunk. For example, most cars have a switch you can pull just inside the car on the drivers side which will "pop" the trunk. If your key isnt working, try pulling this switch--and vice versa. Press the "Trunk" button on your keyless entry device, if you have one.

2

Remove your belongings from your trunk if you cannot open the trunk itself. Depending on which kind of car your own, you may be able to pull down your back seat and free your belongings from the locked trunk. Once the trunk is empty, inspect the area around the lock to see if anything is caught on it which could prevent it from opening.

3

Call a locksmith if you still cant get your trunk to open. If neither varying the method you use to open the trunk nor inspecting its lock to see if there is any obstruction resolves your problem, there is a mechanical issue with the lock.