How to Start a Stalled Car
If your car won't start due to a dead or low battery or a broken starter, you can push-start it in just a few minutes. Try the following methods to get it rolling again.
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Instructions
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Determine if your car has a dead battery or a bad starter. If the engine cranks (makes a rr-rr-rr sound), your problem lies elsewhere. If the engine is silent or you only hear clicks when you turn the key, then your battery or starter is probably bad, and a push-start may be just what you need.
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If your car isn't on a hill, ask a couple of friends or passersby for help.
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Turn the key to the On position.
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Release the parking brake.
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Push down on the clutch pedal and put the transmission in second gear.
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Keeping the clutch pedal depressed, either shout to your friends to start pushing or let the car roll downhill.
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When the car is rolling as fast as a person running, slowly release the clutch pedal while giving the engine a little gas with the accelerator pedal. The engine should start.
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Tips & Warnings
This method works only with a car that has a manual transmission (a clutch).
The car may jump forward when you release the clutch. Make sure there are no people or obstructions in front of the car.
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Comments
View all 11 Comments-
lv44102
Aug 09, 2009
hi do i have to change the starter if i push and it run again?thank you to answering -
Muskie
Apr 27, 2008
This does not work in many newer cars if the battery is completely drained as the computer does not have any power and can not tell all the electronic components what to do, therefore, no start!
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Muskie
Apr 27, 2008
This does not work in many newer cars if the battery is completely drained as the computer does not have any power and can not tell all the electronic components what to do, therefore, no start!
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KarlineV
Oct 30, 2007
I have an automatic and was able to use my modified version to start my car. The symptoms was when I tried to start the car, I heard one-click and the radio came on and the headlight was working as well, which told me that battery probably wasn't the problem. 2) Being that I am not an expert with cars, I thought maybe something is wrong with the alternator or starter. 3) I called a few friends but hadn't heard back from them yet, so I decided to search ehow. I found this article and used my modify version and was able to get the car to start following these steps: a ) I didn't have a hill,put the key into the on position b)Shift the gear on #2 then give a little gas and releasing the break a little bit at the sametime. c)After about 5 minutes or so, shifted the gear back into park and try starting the car again, it worked.
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KarlineV
Oct 30, 2007
I have an automatic and was able to use my modified version to start my car. The symptoms was when I tried to start the car, I heard one-click and the radio came on and the headlight was working as well, which told me that battery probably wasn't the problem. 2) Being that I am not an expert with cars, I thought maybe something is wrong with the alternator or starter. 3) I called a few friends but hadn't heard back from them yet, so I decided to search ehow. I found this article and used my modify version and was able to get the car to start following these steps: a ) I didn't have a hill,put the key into the on position b)Shift the gear on #2 then give a little gas and releasing the break a little bit at the sametime. c)After about 5 minutes or so, shifted the gear back into park and try starting the car again, it worked.
