# Why does my car hate me? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 27, 2004, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-car-hate-me/276876 "2004-11-27T15:28:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2004, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-car-hate-me/276876/1 "2004-11-27T15:28:46Z")
I hit a bump last night, and then my car stalled out. It would not restart and it still won’t start this morning. What in the world could be wrong with it? What can I do to make it start? It cranks fine, but will not start. I checked all the fuses (I think) and none of them are blown or loose. The spark plug cables seem to be tight and ok. What else could it be? ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2004, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-car-hate-me/276876/2 "2004-11-27T15:32:55Z")
well, you shook loose the… oh maybe not. I’m a bad bad girl ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2004, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-car-hate-me/276876/3 "2004-11-27T15:46:14Z")
This is a long shot, but if you hit one helluva bump, you may have upset the fuel pump impact sensor. With some fuel injected cars, a sensor reacts to impact by cutting power to the fuel pump-often located in the tank. This is to prevent a broken fuel line from spewing gasoline around the accident scene. Look in your owners manual for such a feature, and how to reset it. If your vehicle is carbureted, then color me stumped. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2004, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-car-hate-me/276876/4 "2004-11-27T15:48:04Z")
Holy crap, dude, I think that’s it. ---
**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2004, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-car-hate-me/276876/5 "2004-11-27T15:49:35Z")
The Make/Model/Year - would really help us out a lot. It could many, many different things. No solution can be made with the info given. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2004, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-car-hate-me/276876/6 "2004-11-27T15:53:46Z")
2002 V6 Mustang. I was thinking I might have shaken loose a fuel line or something, that’s why **DWC** ’s explanation sounded so plausible. Plus it was a pretty big bump (the curb at 45mph). So that’s really something I can reset on my own? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2004, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-car-hate-me/276876/7 "2004-11-27T15:55:43Z")
> [@Bear\_Nenno](#): > > So that’s really something I can reset on my own? Look in the trunk. If you have a reset switch, that’s where it should be. At least, that’s where it is on my '94 Escort. ---
**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2004, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-car-hate-me/276876/8 "2004-11-27T15:57:09Z")
Ok, now it does sound plausible. Got a check engine light? ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2004, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-car-hate-me/276876/9 "2004-11-27T15:57:25Z")
Should be. I remember having to do that on a Taurus wagon that a girlfriend drove after a minor accident. Inside the hatch lid, there was a small (3 x 5) door opposite the spare tire well, IIRC. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2004, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-car-hate-me/276876/10 "2004-11-27T15:59:42Z")
The Check Engine light is always on before the car starts, though. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2004, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-car-hate-me/276876/11 "2004-11-27T16:01:30Z")
That is part of the ECM self-test. ---
**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2004, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-car-hate-me/276876/12 "2004-11-27T16:03:19Z")
That’s normal. As long as it goes off after a few seconds of the car running. The reason it’s on when you start the car is to let you know that the lamp is functioning correctly. Try the suggestions above about resetting. ---
**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2004, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-car-hate-me/276876/13 "2004-11-27T16:04:42Z")
> [@danceswithcats](#): > > That is part of the ECM self-test. That too. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2004, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-car-hate-me/276876/14 "2004-11-27T16:12:41Z")
You guys rock. I called and cancelled the tow-truck. I was going to have a garage look at it, but now I’m going to try to do it myself. I have to go to work now though, so I’ll have to wait until after midnight to go screw with it. I’m not sure that I still have my owner’s manual though. Does anyone know a good website that explains how to reset an impact sensor in a Mustang? ---
**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2004, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-car-hate-me/276876/15 "2004-11-27T16:39:05Z")
Suggestion from ‘[forums.stangnet.com](http://forums.stangnet.com)’ about a '99 GT that wouldn’t start after an accident: > [@](#): > > Check the electric fuel pump cutoff in the trunk; it’s designed to shut off the fuel if the car is in an impact from the rear. On the driver’s side in the rear of the trunk is a switch to push to reactivate the pump. I can’t remember, you may have to peel the carpet back some… Your 02’ is likely to be similar. I also found that it may be called an ‘Inertia Switch’… You know, for correctness and all. Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2004, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-car-hate-me/276876/16 "2004-11-27T17:09:27Z")
If you’re unable to find it-email **Frank #2** -a very nice Doper, and bigtime Mustang fan. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2004, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-car-hate-me/276876/17 "2004-11-27T21:05:44Z")
Your car hates you because you give it a stupid nickname – such as “The Beast”. I suspect it is the fuel injector, although the battery, starter motor and altenator are other possibilities. ---
**Author:** ![Jake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2004, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-car-hate-me/276876/18 "2004-11-28T00:31:39Z")
> [@Bear\_Nenno](#): > > 2002 V6 Mustang. > > I was thinking I might have shaken loose a fuel line or something, that’s why **DWC** ’s explanation sounded so plausible. Plus it was a pretty big bump (the curb at 45mph). > > So that’s really something I can reset on my own? I have an a injected '91 Ford Ranger and my “Button” for the fule pump reset is under (behind) the glove box inside the truck. Good Luck! ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2004, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-car-hate-me/276876/19 "2004-11-28T04:53:05Z")
You guys Rock! I had to have it towed anyway, because my rims are totally destroyed on that side. I didn’t realize the damage was so bad. But as far as it not starting, it was indeed the Fule Impact Sensor. I mentioned that to the mechanic, and he was nice enough to go outside and hit the button for free, Sweet. I’m still looking at a couple hundred bucks worth of new rims though. Not sweet. Thanks for the help guys. … Maybe my car hates me because I do stupid things like hit random curbs at 45mph. ---
**Author:** ![Kreekurmudgeon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9f8e36/32.png) [@Kreekurmudgeon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kreekurmudgeon)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2004, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-car-hate-me/276876/20 "2004-11-28T15:04:22Z")
If you hit a curb at 45 mph, expect to replace all tires involved. Better now than after they blow out. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-car-hate-me/276876.md?page=2)