Satsuma Won't Move (can start, won't drive)

[ScorpionSauce]

For the last few days I've been getting really into this game and I have watched guide after guide after guide making sure I get everything right in order to continue on with driving the Satsuma.

I have even resorted to the editor to try and fix my issue and thus far have only gotten the car to move once and then die completely.

In my current save I have every part installed and at max condition (according to the editor) and the car starts and can run at idle for as long as i'd like it to but every time I shift into reverse (even tried first) and apply the throttle; the car will die and not start again.

Consequently every time I try recharging the battery no needle appears on the charger.

Please help, I've spent too many hours with this and just want to progress through the game now lol

[ScorpionSauce]

A few things I've already tried:
-Auto clutch on/off
-Manually applying the clutch
-Using the choke to warm the engine up from cold
-Pumping fuel using the accelerator before and during starting

Additionally, here's my tuning setup:
Pushrods: mouse up (16) and then mouse down (7) applied individually (i.e. valve one was tightened 16 times then untightened 7 times *then* valve 2 etc.)
Alternator (pushed towards engine block, belt on, pushed back to furthest point)
Ignition Coil (Rotated 70% away from enging [stock tuning])

[BenDingo]

I'll bite. It sounds like there could be several issues. For starters, your battery is probably okay. If no needle appears that probably just means it didn't move from dead center when you hooked it up which would mean it's fully charged. Although if the needle is all the way right, then you need a new battery from Tiemo's.

If you put everything to max condition in the editor, then you may have overlooked that the alternator belt is reverse from everything else. Last I checked 0 is max condition for the belt rather than 100.

You didn't mention adjustments. Did you adjust your valve train, carburetor, alternator belt, distributor? Line up the camshaft gear? If not, all that's in this handy guide. https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=814389237

If the engine is stalling when you pull out the clutch in first or reverse, then you might have to feather the clutch (click rapidly if it's not analogue) or rev the engine higher (about 5000 rpm should do it). Otherwise, there's a good chance something is out of adjustment. For me it tended to be air fuel ratio. The carburetor should be adjusted when the engine is fully warmed up (temp gauge in almost to the middle) and the choke pushed in, adjust it to the green zone on the AFR gauge (13-14 is a good place to start). If you don't have a gauge, then adjust it so there's no white smoke coming out of the exhaust on one end of the scale and no backfires on the other end of the scale.

Other common problems. Usually first time builders end up missing a bolt here and there, check the ground for fallen off parts. Check to make sure the alternator belt isn't missing. double check all your wiring, the wires connected to the battery can be particularly confusing (I tend to miss bolting in both ends of the ground wire to the starter myself).

Hopefully something in there helps.

[BenDingo]

Just saw your second post. Sounds like your alternator is too tight. With the engine idling, adjust it inwards 'till the belt starts squealing, then adjust it back out one click at a time until it stops squealing.

[ScorpionSauce]

Cheers for the reply!

I adjusted the alternator like you said, still nothing

However, I have noticed that the alternator belt does look worn although I can't find a specific mention to the 'alternator belt' in the editors satsuma report under maintenance (should I adjust the 'alternator' condition then?). If it is just a case of faulty belt is there anyway I can teleport/spawn a belt on the garage or near me (sick of running to the store and boats out fuel)

I have checked the bolts (I followed a full guide/tutorial in which step by step I tightened the bolts)
Additionally the editor says I have no loose bolts and every part is installed from the garage, with the exception of "wheelsteel5" which has 0/4 bolts but I don't know what part that is; also I did try and put the hubcaps on but I cbf after the first wheel so I abandoned the idea and left all wheels hubcapless)

Here's a more detailed report btw:

Bolt Overview:
Total Bolts: 289
Fastened Bolts: 285
Loose Bolts: 0

Part Overview:
Installed parts: 132/207
Fixed parts: 132
Loose parts: 0
Damaged parts: 0
Stuck parts: 0

[Simrealism]

Try a new battery. I had a battery that would do that. Start once and die then refuse to supply electtric.

[ScorpionSauce]

Brief update:
I followed the guide's (the one @hillkillr linked) advice on starting the car and she came to life! That being said I've had to keep the throttle going and the temperature gauge up as high as possible to keep her running (it took me 5 tries to get to the shop). I'm going to buy a new belt/battery and see if that does the trick

[ScorpionSauce]

Long story short:
Bought Battery from store was bugged
Jury rigged car to run on scuffed battery to the store
Bought new battery, car runs fine (minus an oil light)

[Henry of Skalitz]

gear linkage fell off or isnt boltep properly