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Definitely starter gear. If you can get the car into neutral and get it rolling, then turn the key, you should be able to get it started.

Agreed, the teeth are worn in that particular spot, get the car rolling a little and you will be able to catch good teeth to start it.
 
How do I get the car to the mechanic? Pay a tow truck?

Personally, I would enroll in AAA and use their tow services

Do you have towing with your car insurance by chance though?


You have to try it first. It becomes a pain in the ass even if it works.

Right. I'm not a mechanic, just a prior owner of many ****** cars.

Lol you're right about if it works.

If it doesnt work, you have a dead car out in the middle of the street forcing you to get a tow truck right then and there vs keeping the car dead where you parked and getting it towed at a convient time
 
This. In Neutral the transmission disconnects the engine block to the wheel block. Hence the starter won't move because the engine block won't move.
Is this specific to this car? Because every Automatic Transmission car I've ever had could start in N. Like I said I've had this exact same problem, and that's how it was solved.
 
How am I supposed to push my car through a city to a mechanic....

If you can get it in park, tow it behind a tractor or other car. And have a person sitting in the driver seat to operate the breaks.

(I am not responsible for anything I type at this hour of the night.)
 
Why would my car make that noise a couple days ago, then immediately start fine afterwards?

Is there something I can do to make it work for just right now?

I REALLY WANT SOME HOT DOGS.
 
Is this specific to this car? Because every Automatic Transmission car I've ever had could start in N.

That's why you can start in N, because the the engine and wheels are not connected. Which is why you need to set the car to D or R to move it.

Try starting in D, R or one of the 1, 2, 3 options, the car won't let you because the engine and wheels are hooked up; so if you try to start it the car will jump forward.
 
Is this specific to this car? Because every Automatic Transmission car I've ever had could start in N.

The computer will allow the starter to run in N, but the A/T doesnt not let it run the starter gear while being rolled.

Is this something that I can fix myself?

If you're handy, the starter should be in the top of the firewall held by several bolts. If you gen get them free and replace the starter, it should be fine. A used starter might run about $40 at a yard.
 
[Idea] What if he hits the starter with a broom or other wooden thing while trying to start the car? Would it be enough to bump the gears around to get it started one last time?
 
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