My Q cranks but doesn't start. Any thoughts???

There is no fuel shut off. Did you connect the jumper cables because the engine wasn't turning over when you tried to start it? I may have misunderstood what you meant.

If the motor is turning over but not starting, check to make sure you have fuel in the tank (stupid but it happens) and that if it's low you are not parked at an angle (fuel can go to low side of tank away from pump).

Other than checking those two items I would recommend having it towed to the dealer. You are under warranty. Good luck.

I appreciate the tips.

Yes, I did check the fuel, and I have a full tank.

And, yes, I was trying to jump it, just in case it needed it. I was just trying one of the only things I do know how to do, just in case I would get lucky.

If it cranks and cranks then the battery is doing its thing, so no need to try and jump it. Best take it to the dealer, too little info to make any suggestions.....could be fuel pump or no spark. The only thing I can think of which is easy to try, is to bang on the fuel tank with a rubber hammer....on occasion this can get the fuel pump working if it has some sort of "dead spot" on it. Let us know what the results are when it's fixed.

I thought Ford was the only car you used a hammer on. LOL

surfcitylocal said:

I thought Ford was the only car you used a hammer on. LOL

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Just dont use a hammer on a Pinto. lol

I will try to get it to the dealer. I'll report what the problem is, when I find out.

I was able to get it started, but I took it to the dealer anyway.

It seemed to be flooded, but the tank was full (not sure if that means anything), and it was parked pretty level on my driveway.

Hopefully they will catch what it was, so I won't have any more surprises.

Hmmmm, a case of the "instant flooding on startup". I've seen this a few times at the shop before. On rare occasions, and I don't know the reason, an engine will flood instantly and not start....making the same sort of sound you get when a timing belt fails. I've seen it on a Hyundai Accent and a Ford Focus. This happens because of excess fuel being dumped into the engine resulting in washing out of the cylinders and no compression for combustion. It's pretty random and again, I don't know what set of circumstances come together to cause this. I'm not saying that that is what happened to your IQ (but it could be).

That does sound like what happened. I'm not sure what a failing timing belt sounds like, could you explain that?

When I tried to start it up, it seemed like it was cranking more rapidly than usual, but I don't pay a whole lot of attention to the sound, usually, I just listen for the start up.

If this is the case, I wonder if they could limit so much fuel from going into the engine, so it doesn't happen again. I'm not sure how much fuel can flood an engine. Are we talking about a few drops, or is it substantial?

I appreciate your input.

I believe we have a timing chain and not a belt....but either way, trust me on this one, if
it was your timing belt that failed, it wouldn't go away as it would need to be replaced
because when a timing belt fails....it breaks.....and your car will not start again until its
replaced. A timing belt breaking is a very serious issue, it could actually ruin the motor,
but again, that was definitely NOT your problem this time.

As mistergib mentioned, you do not have a timing belt, you have a timing chain. The sound you described as "cranking more rapidly than usual" is the same sound an engine makes when the timing belt is broken. The same "quick starting" sound as you would hear if you removed the spark plugs and cranked the engine (minus the exhaust gases escaping from the spark plug hole of course). It was probably a one-time problem and it may never happen again. "Maybe" the fuel was leaking past the injectors during that 2 week stoppage and it washed out the cylinders....."maybe" the spark couldn't ignite the extra fuel that is injected at startup and then it washed out the cylinders.....I don't know. But I wouldn't worry about it. I do think it won't happen again. Like I said, I've only seen that happen twice.

Yeah, I got a call from the dealer yesterday, and they said they couldn't really find anything, other than a code in the computer that said something like "wouldn't start".

They kept it another day, so they can do some more tests. I am just lucky this happened right after I got my second car, 3 weeks ago. Otherwise I would be screwed. The Q was the only car me and my girlfriend share.

corE said:

Yeah, I got a call from the dealer yesterday, and they said they couldn't really find anything, other than a code in the computer that said something like "wouldn't start".

They kept it another day, so they can do some more tests. I am just lucky this happened right after I got my second car, 3 weeks ago. Otherwise I would be screwed. The Q was the only car me and my girlfriend share.

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That's a highly technical answer, a code that said it wouldn't start. =) Hope they figure out something more than that.

O didn't even know that code existe in OBD2 lol


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I doubt they will find anything wrong.

Any updates or the car is still with the dealership?

They had is for a few days, and they found....... NOTHING.

It drives just fine, but now I just don't have that peace of mind, that this BRAND NEW car will start up every time, on the first try.

And on top of that, I think I will clock about 28 mpgs on my next fill-up. What a waste of time.

Hay same thing happend to me xcept I have been driving all allong. I started the car to back it up a few feet, turned it off. Three hours later it made the same sound as the origonal posting, xactly like the timeing chain had broken. I tried all the normal stuff (have been working on cars all my adulthood) had it towed they couldnt start it at first but then it did and ofcourse the report said "Seemed flooded" I think the variable timing stuck everything open and it just sat there spinning it's wheels. Whatever I will post again if it happens again. Other than that "a great car" And I have been geeting 37mpg regardless of how I drive I dont pay much attention to the computer, I do the miles divided by gallons.

I came to this forum seeking answers, my wife's IQ did the same thing... Only our car had sat just over the weekend. Once we did get it running we noticed a strong smell of gasoline. Ours is headed up to the dealership first thing tomorrow.