It sounds like the starter is not engaging with the flywheel I think that will find that bendix gear is not springing foreward . Give the starter a firm Tap a few times with a wood stick while someone starts the car at the same time and see if the car starts, If this works replace the starter . If not you may want to look at the battery, or some of the sensors like the crank sensor etc.


BTW, By push starting the car you are manually over riding the starter and if the car starts everytime you do this then the starter is probably crap.

 

QUOTE (accent sport @ Jul 10 2009, 08:57 AM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=247834

It sounds like the starter is not engaging with the flywheel I think that will find that bendix gear is not springing foreward . Give the starter a firm Tap a few times with a wood stick while someone starts the car at the same time and see if the car starts, If this works replace the starter . If not you may want to look at the battery, or some of the sensors like the crank sensor etc.


BTW, By push starting the car you are manually over riding the starter and if the car starts everytime you do this then the starter is probably crap.

thanks for your fast replay

Hopefully it's not my starter because it was replaced 2 years ago with a new one.. but i will try that the next time it happens.

about the sensors, is there a easy/cheap way to see if they still works properly?

 

For a while my 97 had a similar problem, the only difference being it showed no signs of starting whatsoever. It was like turning the key with the battery unplugged, no dash lights or anything. It hasn't done this since Spring hit though, which leads me to believe the colder weather somehow played a role.