My engine wont start for days, then starts?

When the problem is ongoing, have a helper crank it, while you check for spark at the plugs. If you have spark everywhere, use a gage and check fuel pressure. To check for spark, pull a spark plug wire, use known good plug or tester in the boot. Ground metal part of tester to metal part of engine, watch for spark, engine cranking. With intermittent issues, you have to test when problem is ongoing. This sounds like a fuel pump or the crankshaft angle sensor has gone out. When you turn the key to the on position without cranking the engine over can you hear the fuel pump run in the tank for 5 seconds?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Please run down this guide and report back.

thanks for the guides they help me see the crankshaft sensor needed to be replaced.

Glad you could get it fixed, that kind of problem can be tough. Please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.

The van ran out of gas. I put 5 gallons of gas in and it only spins. It will not start. Is there any kind of reset switch or could the fuel pump have burned up?

Chances are the pump went bad. Check to see if there is fuel pressure at the fuel rail. If there isn't, you need to remove the fuel tank and check to see if there is power to the pump. If there is, chances are the pump went bad.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

Please run down this guide and report back.

My chevy venture van ran out of gas the other day. I put 4-5 gallons in and it still will not start. Have tried starting fluid, tapping on gas tank and still nothing. The tow driver said he did not hear the fuel pump humming. Is it shot or might it be something else??? ty

when you ran out of gas did you leave the key on for any extended period of time, if so the pump could have burned out by trying to prime itself up, also the pump uses the fuel in the tank for cooling itself so running them out is hard on them. I would check the pump by one of two ways first i would check the pressure which can be done up on the fuel rail, or if possible listen to see if you can here it run when you turn the key on, if not check the fuses/relays

Sounds like u burned out the fuel pump :o I ran mine out of gas and sure enough-- burned out the fuel pump. Kinda stinks since it fairly expensive to replace: $350.00 or so. I replaced it myself but not sure if id reccommend cuz it involves dropping the whole gas tank also some slight wiring mods due to after market fix of an apparently weak OEM plug on the fuel pumps. Not too hard of a job for a backyard mechanic though- It made me cuss a few times but i got the job done in about 3 hrs... Autozone guy said these fuel pumps are VERY fragile and prone to burnout due to running out of gas or even low gas since the fuel itself inside your gas tank is what cools the fuel pump. Hopes this helps someone.. oh btw, i had to take a trip back to the store to get the fuel line retaining clips cuz they dont come on new fuel pump so dont forget them!
Jeramy

Engine ranks but won't start. Can you help me?

When you turn the key to the on position without cranking the engine over can you hear the fuel pump run in the tank for 5 seconds?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Please run down this guide and report back.

Hi I had to replace the crankshaft sensor cost me $68.00 fixed it

I've purchased a new battery. I've changed fuses and relays. Last time it did start white smoke coming out of the tailpipe.

Hello,

Okay, an engine needs only three things to start and run, 1)Fuel, 2)Spark(delivered at the proper time), and 3)Compression. Because of the white smoke coming out of your tailpipe the last time you got your vehicle's engine started, let's start by checking your engine's compression. Here is a link down below for you to go to:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-engine-compression

Please go through this guide and get back to us with what you are able to find out.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros

i have changed relay and also have taken it hundreds time to electricion ,they could not find anything with it .it is driving me crazy.it will start and then i park it ,it wont start.it is random and it drives me crazy because i cant rely on the car .please help and i dont know anything about car

What you need to do is check to see if there is spark and fuel to the engine when it won't start. One will be missing. Once you identify that, you will know which circuit to focus on.

Overheated, water coming from engine side of fuel injectors and will not start.

Good afternoon.

Can you pst a picture of what you see?

How bad did it overheat?

The first thing I would do is a compression test. You may have a failed head gasket.

Roy

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-engine-compression

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-overheating-or-running-hot

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/head-gasket-blown-test

It was not too bad like no water in oil, no white smoke out of tail pipe, just spun over quick then like battery is dead. Then water came up out of fuel injector from intake manifold.

Then you have water in the intake. That most likely is coming from either a failed head gasket or the intake itself.

Start with the compression test.

Roy

my van has let me sit by not starting numerous times I had the fuel pump replaced but still have same problems get in to go wont start like a no fuel condition swapped relays do not hear fuel energize go back 2 days later van starts my run for a week or so then won't start

First thing to do is to verify that the engine isn't getting fuel after it cuts off. Check for a spark at one of the spark plug wires after it cuts off and will not restart. (ignition problems can cause these same symptoms).
If there is not spark let me know and I will post info on how to diagnose the ignition system.

In order to check for a spark at one of the spark plug wires, remove the spark plug wire from the spark plug. Connect it to a spark tester and connect the other end of the spark tester to a good engine ground (a bolt will do fine). Have an assistant to crank the engine and you should see a spark jump the gap in the spark tester. If so, the ignition system is doing its’ job. If not more testing f the ignition system is required.
If a spark tester is not available, remove the spark plug wire from the spark plug and lay it (horizontally) on a metal part of the engine. Have an assistant to crank the engine and you should see a spark jump from the end of the spark plug wire to the metal engine surface.

Also, if you suspect that it's not getting fuel, spray some carb cleaner into the intake manifold and then try to to start the engine. If it starts (or tries to start) and then dies, the problem is that it isn't getting gas for some reason, then we'll diagnose the fuel system.
As it is, since you've repalced a couple of part in the fule system, check for a fuel or relay loose fit in it's socket. loose connections here could cause iintermittent problems. Also check fuel pump connection at tankif possible.

My van was overheating and stalling out. After 15 mins you could restart the van and it ran normal. Changed all 3 main fan fuses. While changing noticed the radiator leaking, changed the radiator. After changing the radiator, the van started running very sluggish. It wanted to stall with every stop. The van finally stalled this last time and refuses to start back up. I have changed the spark plugs, wires, fuel filter, and checked the fuel pump. We also checked all the wires running throughout the wire harness, looks ok. My van has spark, but WILL NOT start! It rolls over and sounds like it wants to start but wont.

scan for codes, and check fuel pressure with a gauge auto parts rent them fp lshould be 52-59 psi

At first, it threw me a P 0449 Code and I then checked ALL my fuses and relays. The fuse inside the van for the Evap was bad. Now its throwing me a P 0452 Code, but I still have the fuel pump down from the van (all hooked up though) because I just changed that and I was worried about the wiring. Can anyone tell me which wires should be hot and where to test them? To my fuel pump, the only hot I have is the gray wire.

Thanks hmac300, I am renting a complete diagnostic kit from AutoZone (It includes a fuel pressure gauge). Hopefully this will lead me in the right direction. I will post back to let you know how it goes!

the gray wire is the hot wire to pump. those two codes you have deal with the evap and fuel tank pressure sensor. a pro really needs to diagnose the fuel tank sensor unless ther e is no voltage going to the sensor. check the gray/blk wire to see if you have a 5 volt reference signal. if not it's ahort or connection problem but a pro should really check this as it could be the pressure sender.

What should the compression be? I have a compression tester. Do I have to plug this tester into each spark plug socket?

why are you worried about compression? just scan and check fuel pressure not engine compression. If you are really worried about compression as long as it's above 90 psi per cylinder and within 20%of each other don't worry about it.

Van is started...don't really know why but now its throwing a P 0452 code

Sorry wrong code ...a P o0306

there is no code 306is it a 300? if it is have a pro check it as these are very hard to diagnose the problem

and a P0102 code

P 0306 Cylinder 6 misfire detected

306 is amode 6 code.102 is a maf code, but should also be checked by a pro

P 0102 states Mass or Volume Air Flow circuit low input

My husband just had back surgery and has been off from work for over a year. I am doing all of this work while he is supervising me. We honestly CAN'T afford a mechanic at this time. And this vehicle is our only means to get back and forth. I also have a 13 yr old daughter with a lot of different medical issues. Any help anyone can give me, would be greatly appreciated! I definitely appreciate ALL the help hmac300 has given me!! You have been a life savor so far!!

well the trouble is that the codes that you need to clear are very very hard for even a mechanic to figure out and you need apro style scanner because it can do stuff that the one at auto parts cannot that is why I told you to go to a pro. it can read real time stuff whereas yours cannot and a lot of those codes need that in order to figure out the problem. sorry

You have been extremely helpful! Thanks so much. I will definitely get it looked at, as soon as I can!

My van quit while turning a corner and won't start...mechanic said the battery was low and told computer not to start put in new battery and ran it for about 4 hours turning it on and off several times. The next morning the same thing....whirls over but will not start...need help!!

welcome to the forum, is the theft/security lite on the dash, on or flashing, when you try to start?