help please v 2.0

[ealsept78]

My car won't start. I turn the key and I hear something like the car is trying to start. The engine does not make a sound on an old 93 saturn sl1. It is 29 degrees out in cincinnati ohio. Oil has been recently changed. The spark plugs have not been changed in a while though.

[RandomTask]

Does it make a 'click' when you turn the key? Or does the motor actually try to turn over?

If its just a click, either
A. The starter motor is dead
B. The battery is dead/doesn't have enough amprage to engage the starter.

If its trying to turn over there are three things that are required for it to run. A. Fuel B. Spark C. Compression. I would check the spark plugs first, (take them out and while they're still plugged in, hold the end against a ground in the car and try to turn it over, you should see a bright blue spark.) Check the compression by a simple compression meter that you can generally get at any auto store. Plug it in place of one spark plug, crank the motor, then check the pressure. Generally you want over 150psi. The only way to check fuel is to disconnect the fuel rail and put a bag over each injector. If its not firing at all because of fuel, more than likely its the fuel pump. (if an injector fails and causes one cylinder to quit firing, the other three should at least be able to keep the car running)

[public]

^^^^^That about covers it.^^^^^