2005 Chevrolet Impala car will not start

2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA
2WD • AUTOMATIC
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SHUNJORDAN
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Car shut off...low oil pressure light was on but it is not making noise when i try to crank it..only a little click sound then winding...is my engine locked or my starter gone.how would i know the difference
Aug 25, 2015 at 8:38 AM
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CJ MEDEVAC
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
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  • ASE Certified Mechanic
OF COURSE, YOU CHECKED THE OIL?

IT IS AT THE CORRECT LEVEL, AS IT WAS LAST WEEK WHEN YOU CHECKED IT? (MOST ALL OWNER'S MANUALS SUGGEST/ STRESS THAT YOU CHECK THE OIL AND COOLANT WEEKLY)

WINDING?

DOES THAT MEAN THE CRANKSHAFT IS MAKING REVOLUTIONS BECAUSE THE STARTER IS TURNING IT?

OR DO YOU MEAN THE STARTER IS MAKING A RACKET, AND THE CRANKSHAFT IS NOT TURNING?

HOW LONG WAS THE OIL LIGHT ON WHILE YOU DROVE IT?

DO YOU HAVE GAS?

IS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON?

THE MEDIC
Aug 25, 2015 at 10:13 AM
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SHUNJORDAN
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The oil light has been coming on all day but for a couple seconds then shuts off.i have gas and the oil level was very low..i heard knocking then the car just shut off and my check engine light has been on since i purchased the car and that was a year ago.are there any visable signs that an engine is locked???
Aug 25, 2015 at 11:04 AM
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CJ MEDEVAC
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
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  • ASE Certified Mechanic
DID YOU REFILL THE OIL?

DOES THE CRANKSHAFT DO REVOLUTIONS WHEN YOU TRY TO START IT?

IF THAT MAKES NO SENSE,

WHEN YOU TRY TO START IT, DO THE BELTS AND PULLEYS TURN ON THE ENGINE, FOR LIKE, MAYBE 10 SECONDS?

THE MEDIC
Aug 25, 2015 at 11:24 AM
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SHUNJORDAN
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If quick on me miles from my home and i am a female so im a dummy when it comes to cars so im very sorry that im not able to explain my problem so that u clearly understand.i put two quarts but my battery died when my ride arrived so i did not get a chance to try and start it after i put the oil in and no,thebelts and pulleys were not moving prior to battery failure.thank you so much for replying back so quick
Aug 25, 2015 at 11:34 AM
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SHUNJORDAN
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I sent my brother out to take the starter off to take to autozone.if its not my starter then i should just look for another car huh???or an engine
Aug 25, 2015 at 11:36 AM
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CJ MEDEVAC
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 11,004 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
IF YOU STOPPED REALLY SOON AFTER YOU SAW THE LIGHT AND HEARD THE KNOCKING (LIKE 30 SECONDS OR LESS)

AND THE CRANKSHAFT WILL ROTATE, USING THE STARTER, OR EVEN "WITH THE KEY OFF" AND TURNING THE CRANK WITH A RATCHET OR WRENCH, 2 OR MORE FULL REVOLUTIONS (TO VERIFY WHETHER IT'S LOCKED UP OR NOT) SEE MY 1st PIC (TURNING MY JEEP CRANKSHAFT)

MAYBE YOU HAVEN'T DONE A WHOLE BUNCH OF DAMAGE

IF YOU IGNORED THE SCREAMS FOR HELP AND KEPT ON-A-GETTIN'-IT, YOUR ENGINE MAY HAVE SUFFERED A MASSIVE HEART ATTACK!

IF YOU WERE OUT OF OIL, YOU ARE GONNA NEED MORE THAN 2 QUARTS TO GET IT TO A SAFE LEVEL

MALE OR FEMALE, IF YOU DON'T DO "THE SIMPLE" MAINTENANCE CHECKS, OR WATCH SOMEONE ELSE DO 'EM, EXPECT TO WALK OR SPEND YOUR FUN MONEY ON VEHICLE REPAIRS.

THE PIC AT THE TOP OF THE POST WAS MY 10 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER (NOW 27) HAND CRANKING MY 1946 WILLYS (HER BIRTH DATE IS THE HOOD NUMBERS) AT 10, SHE WAS 100% ABLE TO DRIVE "WILLY", DO AN OIL CHANGE, CHANGE TIRES, AND ABLE TO DIAGNOSE SOME PROBLEMS.

SHE "LEGALLY" GOT HER LICENSE IN WILLY AT 16, WITH NO SEAT BELTS (NOT ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT), REFUSING TO USE THE STARTER, SHE HAND CRANKED HIM FOR THE ROAD TEST!

RETURN AND LET ME KNOW IF THE ENGINE WILL ROTATE!

THE MEDIC
Aug 25, 2015 at 12:24 PM
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SHUNJORDAN
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WOW..Thats impressive.ive always wanted to go to school to be a machanic just to know whats going on if i have a problem with a car.I will get someone to try that and ill let you know my results...thanks so much for the advice
Aug 25, 2015 at 12:36 PM
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CJ MEDEVAC
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 11,004 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
GOOD LUCK!!!

BEDTIME IS SOON

I'LL GET YOUR UPDATE LATER (TONIGHT OR TOMORROW)

I'LL REPLY BACK

THE MEDIC
Aug 25, 2015 at 12:51 PM
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