What causes a car starter to not start?
Most starter problems occur in predictable places, and diagnostics are easy to run. When your car fails to start, it could be because of a damaged starter component. It can also be a poor electrical connection or insufficient power. It starts the internal combustion of your engine.
What’s the name of the car that won’t start?
Have a 2004 honda accord replaced starter car still won’t start. Lights and radio come on but no sound of it trying to Was this answer helpful? Russ will be eternally grateful.
What should I do if my car wont start?
After insisting the starter is bad even AutoZone has tested so many times and confirmed it’s good. I bought new starter, and guess what! Car started right away!!! My car is working now.
How does the starter motor work on a car?
It starts the internal combustion of your engine. When the battery powers up after an ignition, electric current goes to the starter motor. In the starter motor, pinions move the engine.
Most starter problems occur in predictable places, and diagnostics are easy to run. When your car fails to start, it could be because of a damaged starter component. It can also be a poor electrical connection or insufficient power. It starts the internal combustion of your engine.
What should I do if my car takes 2 tries to start?
Turn the key to the “on” position, but don’t start it. Wait for 10 seconds first. You might be able to hear the fuel pump engage and disengage if you listen closely. If you can hear it, wait for it to disengage before you start the engine.
Why does my car turn over every time I start it?
If it’s faulty or stuck, then when you shut the car down, fuel may be bleeding back to the tank via the return line. The next time you start the car, turn the key to the ON position and wait a moment.
Why do I have to turn the key several times before starting the car?
You either have a very clogged fuel filter, or are in need of a new fuel pump. Fuel pressure should be checked, and should be no lower than about 55psi while running or key on. By turning the key several times, you are priming the fuel system up enough to start the vehicle, so you definitely have a fuel issue.
Why does my car turn over but won’t start?
If your engine will turn over but just won’t start you could have a few different problems. To start, your engine needs the right amount of fuel, a spark at the right time and air to mix with the fuel. Unless you’ve got an animal’s nest in your intake piping, it’s very unlikely that your engine isn’t getting enough air.
Turn the key to the “on” position, but don’t start it. Wait for 10 seconds first. You might be able to hear the fuel pump engage and disengage if you listen closely. If you can hear it, wait for it to disengage before you start the engine.
What’s the difference between turning over and starting a car?
It’s as simple as that, and anything before the engine firing is considered the process of turning over. Now, if you hear the engine attempting to turn over but nothing happens, that means the engine isn’t starting, but it’s still turning over. There! Glad that’s cleared up!
How does a starter work on a car?
The starter depends on a solenoid which pulls the starter shaft with a gear to engage a larger gear on the engine. This rotates the engine until it starts running on its own. The starter won’t actually turn until that shaft is engaged. If the solenoid is going bad and is cold, it might not work (variety of reasons).
As for the missing START signal (TEST 1), the most likely cause will be a defective ignition switch or a defective neutral safety switch. You’ll need to consult a wiring diagram (for your specific vehicle) to continue your troubleshooting efforts. In this TEST 3 we’re gonna’ voltage drop test the power circuit of the starter solenoid.
What’s the best way to test a car starter?
Place one connector of a test lamp on the output of the solenoid and the other on the battery’s ground (earth) terminal. The lamp should light. If not, you will need to take the starter/solenoid assembly off and bench test it. Remove your starter.
What happens if the starter motor fails the bench test?
If it fails the bench test, then you’ve confirmed that the starter motor is defective (and the reason it won’t activate when you applied battery power to it in this test). As for the missing START signal (TEST 1), the most likely cause will be a defective ignition switch or a defective neutral safety switch.
Can You bench test a car starter with one foot?
Hold the starter down with one foot. When you bench test the starter, it may move around and shoot some sparks. Holding it down with your foot prevents it from jumping around and causing injury. You can ask someone to help you.
Is it important to test the starter motor on a car?
Having a good working battery is important to test the starter on the vehicle. After cleaning, or repairing the battery terminals, or replacing a BAD battery, or charging a discharged battery the car or truck may start.
Which is the first part of the starter test?
Start With The Battery First. The battery’s condition is the most important part of the starter tests and the first thing that has to be checked. There are two parts to this test. Visually checking that the battery terminals for obvious problems and testing the battery’s voltage with a multimeter.
How can you tell if your car starter is going bad?
Nobody wants to wake up to find that their car isn’t going to start up and take them where they need to go. Often, if a car won’t start, this can indicate that the starter motor might have gone bad. If you do not have extensive automotive experience, it can be challenging how to tell if your starter is bad.
What does it mean if your starter motor is not working?
This test result usually means that the starter motor is defective. Since the starter motor solenoid is not getting a START voltage signal (TEST 1) either, then you’ve got two separate problems on your hands. I’m gonna’ suggest that you remove the starter motor and bench test it.
Can a bad battery cause a car to not start?
Sometimes your car starts, sometimes it doesn’t. Intermittent operation can be a sign of a failing starter solenoid. Bad battery – If the battery voltage is low it will be unable to provide enough power to start your engine. Blown fuse – Sometimes the simplest explanation is the best one.
Can a bad alternator cause a bad starter?
If the alternator is bad, the battery may not be capable of starting the engine. Starter – Some solenoids are mounted to the starter, but some are located directly inside the starter housing. When this is the case, it may be necessary to replace the entire starter when the solenoid goes bad. Sometimes the starter itself is the problem.
Can a blown fuse cause a starter to not start?
Blown fuse – Sometimes the simplest explanation is the best one. A blown fuse in the starter circuit could be the cause of a no-start problem. Broken or corroded wiring – Damaged or dirty wires to the battery or to the starter solenoid (or wires that are loose) can prevent sufficient power from reaching the starter.
How can I tell if my starter solenoid is bad?
Start by testing the starter solenoid using a test light. Touch the test light to the bottom terminal on the solenoid and ground the negative cable on the body of the vehicle. Have a friend attempt to start the vehicle to see if the solenoid engages. If the solenoid does not engage, it has gone bad and will need to be replaced.
What to do if you can’t jump start your car?
If jump starting the car didn’t work, there may be an issue with the starter or solenoid. Start by testing the starter solenoid using a test light. Touch the test light to the bottom terminal on the solenoid and ground the negative cable on the body of the vehicle. Have a friend attempt to start the vehicle to see if the solenoid engages.
Why is my electric car not starting properly?
It could mean that your battery does not have enough charge. If the battery has sufficient charge, then the fault may be on the starting motor. A short may make starter motor to draw too much electric current. There is also the possibility that your problem is not in the starter system but the engine.
What should I do if my car starter is not working?
The early signs are difficulty in starts before it fails. Most people make the mistake of repeatedly trying to turn the ignition on. Doing so will only lead to more problems. If you are in such a situation, you should not panic. Most starter problems occur in predictable places, and diagnostics are easy to run.
What does it mean when your car won’t start?
When your car won’t start, it is likely a problem with the battery, alternator or starter. But how do you know which part is causing your issue? All these parts work together to power your vehicle so it can be hard to know which part is at fault.
What happens when you push the starter button?
Responsible for starting the engine when you turn the key or push the start button, the starter draws its power from the battery. It takes that energy to turn over the engine and start the vehicle. Simply put, without a properly functioning starter, you’re going nowhere.
How often should I replace my car starter?
The best place to start your investigation is with the battery. Typically lasting 3-5 years, the battery is many times the part that has failed. The easiest and cheapest of the three parts to replace, without a fully charged battery your starter won’t work properly. For more information on troubleshooting battery issues, check out this article.
Why does my Dodge Charger not start up?
Typically a weak battery would cause rapid clicking noises from the starter or a slow turning starter. The starter not evening attempting to engage sounds like there’s an issue elsewhere. Could be a faulty ignition switch. But this is just a guess.
Have a 2004 honda accord replaced starter car still won’t start. Lights and radio come on but no sound of it trying to Was this answer helpful? Russ will be eternally grateful.
After insisting the starter is bad even AutoZone has tested so many times and confirmed it’s good. I bought new starter, and guess what! Car started right away!!! My car is working now.
How to fix a car that won’t start when you turn the key?
How to fix car that wont crank when you turn the key, no sound or click. How to jump start a car, check the starter, and wire bypass trick. DIY car repair with Scotty Kilmer, an auto mechanic for the last 50 years. Thanks for watching! 1. Bluetooth Scan Tool: http://amzn.to/2nfvmaD 2. Cheap Scan Tool: https://amzn.to/2D8Tvae 3.
Is the starter on my new car bad?
Update. After insisting the starter is bad even AutoZone has tested so many times and confirmed it’s good. I bought new starter, and guess what! Car started right away!!!
Typically a weak battery would cause rapid clicking noises from the starter or a slow turning starter. The starter not evening attempting to engage sounds like there’s an issue elsewhere. Could be a faulty ignition switch. But this is just a guess.
What do you do when your car won’t start?
Owning a vehicle can be the highlight of a day and a nightmare all in one. The first time you drive the car off of the lot, you feel like a proud parent. But, those feelings can quickly turn sour the first time the car won’t start. If you find yourself wondering why your car won’t start, we’ve got some common causes to consider.
What should I do if my hard drive is not working?
Solution 1: Perform a hard reset This is the easiest way to fix this hard drive malfunction issue. Simply turn your system off and remove its power cord or battery. Also, disconnect all kinds of peripheral devices from it and press the Power button for 15 seconds.
Why does my car not start when I try to start it?
But if the battery doesn’t have enough juice to start the engine or repeatedly needs a jump start, the problem may originate elsewhere, and jumper cables or even a new battery won’t solve the problem. Here are eight possible reasons your car won’t start.
What to do when your car won’t start after driving?
Problem start after driving car no mather about distance, after turning off engine and passing few minutes car wont start. Have oto keep it cooldown in order to turn on engine again. Even sometimes but rarely engine turnes off without any reason and after a few minute I was able to start engine again.
Why does my car not start after I drain the battery?
A broken timing belt, timing chain or timing gear means you can crank the engine until you drain the battery, and it still won’t start. Likewise, a bad crankshaft position sensor won’t send the right signals to the engine computer to allow the engine to start. 8. Smart Key Issue
Solution 1: Perform a hard reset This is the easiest way to fix this hard drive malfunction issue. Simply turn your system off and remove its power cord or battery. Also, disconnect all kinds of peripheral devices from it and press the Power button for 15 seconds.
What to do if your electric steering wont work?
Examine your fuse box, look for obvious faults with your wires and connections, and check the voltage in your battery. Assuming those actions don’t work, here’s a quick (possible) fix – shut your car off completely and restart it. This helps reset the electrical components, and your electric steering might come back.
It starts the internal combustion of your engine. When the battery powers up after an ignition, electric current goes to the starter motor. In the starter motor, pinions move the engine.
What should I do if I have a problem with my starter system?
Inspecting Cables and Wires. Corrosion around battery terminals prevents electrical flow. This is a common problem on a battery or starter system that hasn’t received much attention. If you notice a layer of corrosion around one or both battery terminals, clean them with a solution of baking soda and warm water.
What does it mean when your power steering is not working?
A drop in your power steering fluid level indicates a leak somewhere in the system. Check the hoses, seals, and the hydraulic pump for any signs of leaks to avoid draining the fluid. Loss of power steering fluid can damage the hydraulic pump and cause problems in your steering.
What to do if your car has low power steering?
Start the engine, turn the steering from lock to lock, then lots of old fluid will come out. Make sure that the reservoir is completely empty to add new fluid. Get a funnel so you don’t spill it anywhere and keep your paper towel down there.
What happens when you hook up a new starter motor?
Bench tested starter motor at local auto parts shop and they said it’s fine. Battery was shot so I bought new one. Re-installed the starter motor. When hooking up the new battery, I hooked up the positive side. When I touched the negative cable to the negative terminal, there were sparks, and the starter motor engaged and tried to start the engine.
What happens when the starter relay is on?
When the starter relay is on, the starter rotor will start to move firing up the engine. The first thing you must check is if your battery has enough voltage to power up your car’s engine.
What should I do after installing a car starter?
With the starter installed and wired, reconnect the black cable to the negative terminal on the battery and tighten it in place. Insert the key into the ignition and attempt to start the vehicle. If the vehicle fails to start with the new starter in place, ensure the battery is fully charged.
When to install an AC hard start kit?
You should consider installing a hard start kit if you find yourself in one of these scenarios: If your air conditioner is already hard starting, you should contact a professional ASAP to investigate the problem. “How do I know if my AC is hard starting?” You’ll know if you notice these 4 signs:
Why do you need a hard start kit?
Like their name suggests, hard start kits help solve a problem called hard starting, which is when an AC struggles to turn on and then shuts off abruptly after a short while.
How to start a car with a bad ignition switch?
Jumper cables Open the hood of your car and locate the ignition coil and the battery. Then using a jumper cable, connect the positive terminal of the battery to the positive side of the coil. This will give power to the dashboard which is needed to start the engine.
Can a bad solenoid be a sign of a bad starter?
Intermittent operation can be a sign of a failing starter solenoid. Other issues that present like a bad solenoid. Problems that might cause your car to act like it has a bad starter solenoid can include: Bad battery – If the battery voltage is low it will be unable to provide enough power to start your engine.
How can I disable the remote starter on my car?
How to Disable Remote Starters Step 1. Make sure your automobile is turned off and that your key is out of the ignition. Step 2. Remove the dashboard panels around the ignition to locate the toggle switch underneath the steering column. Step 3. Look for the module with four wires. One wire is
What should I do if my starter is not working?
The starter pinion gear engages this wheel to make your car engine crank. Remove the starter motor and set your transmission gear to neutral. Rotate the crankshaft manually using a ratchet. There is a pulley at the front or bottom of your engine block. The pulley should move as you watch how the pion gears are reacting.
Why does my car say it has a bad starter solenoid?
Problems that might cause your car to act like it has a bad starter solenoid can include: Bad battery – If the battery voltage is low it will be unable to provide enough power to start your engine. Blown fuse – Sometimes the simplest explanation is the best one. A blown fuse in the starter circuit could be the cause of a no-start problem.
Why does my car not start when I Turn on the ignition?
In the case of broken wires, electrical current from your battery will not reach the starter. If the wires are in place and still your car will not start, then you must replace the starter solenoid. The obvious symptom is when your vehicle fails to start when you turn on the ignition. An electrical signal should go to the starter relay.
What to do if your car wont start after out of gas?
Ensuring the Engine is Getting Fuel Add fuel if the vehicle’s out of gas. Look for signs of jerking as you drive before it dies. Check to see if the vehicle will start again after a few minutes. Replace your fuel filter. Test your fuel pump.
What should I do if my fuel pump won’t start?
Put your ear next to it, and have a friend turn the key to the “on” position. The fuel pump should prime for about three seconds. There should be an audible whine like the one in the video above. If not, your fuel pump may not be getting power or it may just be dead. Our pump exhibited no noise.
What should I do if my car won’t start?
If an engine is cranking, but will not start, you know that your electrical is good. For the car to start running correctly, you need a few ingredients: spark, air, fuel, and compression. If you suspect that the problem may be fuel related, there are a couple of solutions.
Why does my car not start when I fill up?
Another common occurring is low fuel. Yes, there is a fuel indicator that comes on when you are low on fuel & that should give you an indication to fill up. But sometimes it is overlooked or maybe the fuel gauge isn’t working. In that case, your car won’t start. In a petrol car, all you need to do is fill some fuel and you are ready to go.
Put your ear next to it, and have a friend turn the key to the “on” position. The fuel pump should prime for about three seconds. There should be an audible whine like the one in the video above. If not, your fuel pump may not be getting power or it may just be dead. Our pump exhibited no noise.
Why is the solenoid on my starter not working?
If your starter solenoid seems to be fine, there might be another problem inside your starter motor. The parts that can accomplish this is the starter plunger or the starter pinion. It is time to dismantle the starter and check inside for the pinion gears. These are often placed at the front of the starter.
Why does my car not start with a full signal?
If the starter relay does not receive a full signal, your car will not start. Sometimes your engine fires up immediately while at times it takes a couple of tries. If this happens to you, it might be a case of cumulated debris on the starter relay. You should clean it up and see if it solves the problem.
3. Sporadic starting issues. Loose or dirty wiring within the starter system can cause the car to start or not start irregularly, and it can be hard to repair. It could also be caused by a damaged or failing electrical component.
How to replace the Starter Step by step?
Place a wood block right under the engine, close to the side of the mount that you will be removing and raise the engine one or two inches. This will allow you to remove the engine mount. Remove the engine mount. Motor mounts look like this. Mercedes-Benz Engine / Motor Mount
What are the symptoms of a bad starter?
1. The engine won’t turn over and vehicle won’t start 2. Starter engages but doesn’t spin the motor 3. Sporadic starting issues 4. Grinding noise when trying to start the motor 5. Interior lights dim when starting the car 6. Smell or see smoke when starting the motor
Which is the hardest car to get a starter out of?
The C-Class is the most difficult of all the other models because there is very little room in the engine bay. Once you remove the starter from the engine block most mechanics and also the Mercedes-Benz dealer remove the exhaust to get the starter out.
3. Sporadic starting issues. Loose or dirty wiring within the starter system can cause the car to start or not start irregularly, and it can be hard to repair. It could also be caused by a damaged or failing electrical component.
1. The engine won’t turn over and vehicle won’t start 2. Starter engages but doesn’t spin the motor 3. Sporadic starting issues 4. Grinding noise when trying to start the motor 5. Interior lights dim when starting the car 6. Smell or see smoke when starting the motor
When do you need to replace a car starter?
When this occurs, the starter will be rendered useless and needs to be replaced by a certified mechanic. Although many of the internal components inside the starter can be fixed, it’s recommended by most automotive manufacturers to replace the starter, so as to avoid future breakdowns.
How much does a new starter cost?
The average cost for a starter replacement is between $389 and $562. Labor costs are estimated between $123 and $157 while parts are priced between $266 and $405.
Why is my starter not engaging the flywheel?
Tighten the mounting bolts and other connecting wires. If the mounting bolt is loose, the starter drive will not engage the flywheel properly. It will make a grinding noise when you try to fire up your engine. What this means is that the pinion gear on the starter is clashing with the ring gear on the flywheel. Check the pinion gear.
What should the voltmeter reading be on a car starter?
Set the device for 12V and connect the voltmeter to your battery terminals. Turn on your car’s headlights and take the reading. The reading on your voltmeter should be between 12. 4 and 12.6 volts. If your reading is below these figures, your battery will not power up your starter.
What causes a car to act like it has a bad starter?
Problems that might cause your car to act like it has a bad starter solenoid can include: Bad battery – If the battery voltage is low it will be unable to provide enough power to start your engine. Blown fuse – Sometimes the simplest explanation is the best one.
When the starter relay is on, the starter rotor will start to move firing up the engine. The first thing you must check is if your battery has enough voltage to power up your car’s engine.
Why does my Nissan Juke not start up?
1. Bad battery (charge and load test it). 2. Bad connections preventing battery from charging (check clean all main cables/grounds, make sure to check resistance, wiggle battery cables when checking resistance to make sure they are not damaged internally). 3.
When did I Buy my Juke SL FWD?
I bought a brand new Juke SL FWD Automatic, only 3 miles on the odometer, in July of 2013. After only a year and five months my car has been in the shop about once every two months for the same problem. I go to my car and unlock it, if it unlocks, and try to start the car and it won’t.
Why does my Juke battery die after 2 hours?
If after just 2 hours the battery is NOT actually dead but the car acts like it is YOU HAVE A WIRING problem of some sort (bad connection or relay), or an electronic control module problem (where it is not making one or more grounds necessary to actuate the things like the main relay). Kev M.
What should the volts be on a Nissan Juke?
SIMPLE test for 1. is to put voltmeter across terminals with vehicle running, you should see about 14 volts give or take. If it’s 12.something or less you’re not really getting enough voltage to replace what is being used and the battery will slowly drain while the car is running.
What to do if your car won’t start?
The quick fix for a bad starter is jumpstarting your car so you can get it on the road, at least temporarily, and get the problem checked out by a qualified technician. If a jumpstart doesn’t do the trick, you’ll most likely need to get the car towed and have the starter repaired or replaced. We can help with that.
Why does my car not start when I turn the ignition switch?
There are times when you’ll turn the ignition switch and hear the starter activate but will not hear the motor crank over. Issues with the starter are sometimes mechanical in nature. In this case, the problem may be due to the gears connected to the flywheel. Either the gear has stripped or become dislodged against the flywheel.
Something sounds off. One of the symptoms of a bad starter is a clicking noise when you turn the key or push the start button. However, a starter can die without making any sound at all, or it may announce its impending death with whirring and grinding noise—so listen up! 2.
Why does my car starter not start properly?
Your car starter is an electrical device that needs enough power for it to run properly. Weak batteries, faulty electrical connections, or just plain old wear and tear will prevent your car from starting. Before considering replacing your battery, it would be best to start fixing the issue by checking your car’s electrical connections.
Can a bad ignition switch cause a starter relay to fail?
Although it’s unlikely that you’ll ever experience a problem with the starter relay, it is prone to mechanical failure and will need to be replaced by a professional mechanic if it wears out. Most of today’s modern cars and trucks have an electronic ignition switch that is activated by remote key.
Do you need a manual ignition switch to start a car?
As stated above, electronic keys do not have a manual ignition switch. However, when powered, it should send a signal to the starter relay once the key is turned or the starter button is pressed.
Jump-start your car If your car still won’t start after performing the earlier methods, you can try to jump-start your car. For this technique, you’ll need a spare charged battery and a couple of jumper cables.
What to do when your car won’t start?
My car won’t start after new alternator, starter, and bat… Q: My car won’t start after new alternator, starter, and battery. I was driving on the freeway and my car started to make a weird noise. Pulled over to the next lane for the next exit. It automatically died and locked up. I kicked it in neutral and forced it onto the shoulder.
Why does my car not start when I turn the key?
I think your starter relais is broken. When you turn your key the starter relais will push the starter against the starter ring gear on the flywheel. When the relais is broken no contact is made and therefore you are unable to start the engine.
Why does my car not start with a new starter?
It is not a battery issue since it is fully charged and brand new. The car would not start after the new battery was put in and the starter was put on. How does this affect a alternator? My old battery was six years old and junk, so we replaced it and boom all of a sudden now the car will not start. And will not start with a new starter either.
The Car Starter. Your starter is vital to your car because it is responsible for starting the engine. The battery sends it a jolt of electricity, which the starter uses to turn the engine over and get it to start. A broken starter will make a clicking sound when you turn the key. The car won’t start, but the dash lights are on.
Why does my car not start when I jump the alternator?
If jump starting gets your engine started and running, but the car will not start again once you turn it off, the battery is probably the problem. In this case, the alternator is doing its job of keeping the battery going once it has been jumped, but the battery can’t hold a charge when the alternator is shuts off.
When to replace battery, alternator, or starter?
When you check these three, always start with the battery. It’s most often the part that failed, and it’s also the cheapest part to replace. A car battery should last about four to five years. It is not made to hold a charge for that long, so it gets recharged by the car’s alternator while you drive.
How to troubleshoot a small gas engine that won’t start?
1 Put on the safety glasses. Remove the gas cap and check that there is gas in the fuel tank. 2 Look at the spark plug and check that the wire is securely plugged onto the plug. 3 Remove the air filter by unsnapping its box-like cover or removing the wing nut that holds it onto the carburetor.
Why does my car not start on natural gas?
The engine will have a weaker spark if the Magneto and/or the TCI is rusted. If this is the case these components will require cleaning. * To help compensate for weak systems, setting the spark plug gap to .020″ will create a more powerful spark which may ignite the natural gas.
Why does my starter not disengage from the ignition switch?
You want to make sure that the power does not stay on once your ignition switch is released. This continuous power to the starter can cause it not to disengage. To make sure it’s not the solenoid; check the power on the posts behind the solenoid by testing the wire coming from the ignition switch, using a voltmeter. It should indicate zero.
Why does my Cummins diesel engine not start?
However, if no fuel comes out, then it’s safe to assume that this is the culprit of your no start issue. In order to correct, you’ll need to replace the lift pump, and no better time to upgrade than now.
It could mean that your battery does not have enough charge. If the battery has sufficient charge, then the fault may be on the starting motor. A short may make starter motor to draw too much electric current. There is also the possibility that your problem is not in the starter system but the engine.
Do you know the signs of a failing starter motor?
Knowing the signs of a failing starter motor, can help you diagnose the problem. When Diagnosing starter motor problems, always start with the battery. So, for your starter motor to work properly, your car battery has to be in; excellent working condition and fully charged.
When do I need to replace my starter motor?
So, if this happens the starting motor will have to be replaced. The most common problem with a starting motor is, when you turn your key and nothing happens. A solenoid or motor that has burned out or electrical issues, may cause this as well. Furthermore, a dead battery can cause the same problem.
What does intermittent no start mean on a car?
Share it! An intermittent no-start condition references any time where starting is possible sometimes, and other times the engine will not start. This implies that the difference between starting and failure to start is not understood.