First, let's see what normally takes to start a gasoline car engine:

1. The engine must be turned over by the starter motor with enough speed to catch. For this to happen, the battery must have enough charge, the starter motor and the starter circuit should be OK.
2. Fuel mixed with air in the correct proportion must be supplied to the enigne cylinders;
3. Spark - there must be a strong spark at the proper moment to fire the air/fuel mixture.
4. Proper timing - the engine valves should open and close in appropriate time.
5. Compression - normal compression in the cylinders is 120 - 170 psi. The engine won't start if the compression is lower than 70 - 80 psi.


Sometimes a car may have an intermittent problem, when it starts fine most of the time, but once in a while it doesn't. Such problems, that are not presented at all times, could be very difficult to diagnose. What will help your mechanic to find such an intermittent problem is if you notice when, under what conditions the car doesn't start and what helps to get it started. For example, if you notice that wiggling the ignition key helps to get the car started, it may tell your mechanic that the problem is likely with the ignition switch (very common problem). Or if the security light flashes on the instrument panel each time the car doesn't start could tell your mechanic to begin with checking anti-theft system.

SO, does any of this happen?

Will the starter crank?
Do you hear a click but the starter wont crank?
Does the security light flash when you try to crank?
Doe the "check engine" light come on when you try and start the car?
Does the starter start very slowly but the engine wont?
Battery Problems?
Smoke?
Engine Noises?
Has the car been worked on lately?
Have you drove through alot of water?
Low oil pressure light come on while driving?