Car won't start?

Check the fuel pressure and comeback with the readings we start here with this guide

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.

I had an identical problem with a 1997 Dodge Intrepid - solution turned out to be a fuel pump replacement.

This is after hundreds of $$$ in diagnostics , fuel filter and replacement of all four O2 sensors. Which did not help at all.

Car is running perfect for a year now after the fuel pump replacement!

Hi,
Recently this car overheated and shortly thereafter (30 Minutes) suddenly just stopped dead. Had to tow it 250 miles home.
I've replaced the CPS. It gets spark to the plugs, fuel pressure is good.

Will NOT start even with starting fluid sprayed into the intake while cranking. No correct firing at all. Once in a while a random backfire, but not often. Just acts as if there is no spark, however there IS. Fuel pump replaced less than 4 months ago and pressure is GOOD.

Car was running beautifully when over heating was noticed. I immediately added coolant and it ran for another half hour, then suddenly NOTHING. Heard that the CPS can often be damaged by overheating so replaced it.

I've worked on cars for 40 years and I'm truly baffled.
Any help would be appreciated!!
BK

Hi tu6edriver,

Thank you for the donation.

Did you test the compression?

Yes the compresssion is good.
The car has had excellent maintenance, etc. I've never had a situation where there is fuel present and spark with virtually no indication of even random firing. Even if the timiing was ramdom, false firing should happen... still investigating when I have the time. The car has become a driveway ornament for the time being...

As sparks, fuel and compression are available, it definitely is a mystery why it is not starting.

Are the sparks strong ( bright blue?

Other things that could affect starting would be the Engine Coolant Temperature sensor, MAP or MAF and major vacumn leakages.Did you try starting with throttle opened at different positions?

Car won't start. I replaced battery about 3 months ago. When I turn ignition; lights, radio, etc. operate as usual, but the engine makes no sound to turn ov er (i.e. ,I don't think it's the battery).

Get the battery and alternator load tested if both okay make sure cables/posts are cleaned and properly tightened. Problem continues to exist, check and test the Airbag/VATS fuse 2E 10amp in I/P fuse block behind left side of dash,starter,starter enable relay located behind the dash left of steering column - park and neutral switch on the left side of transmission and ignition switch

there is periods of time the vehicle will not start is it a problem with the engine or a problem with a starter

[quote:0c062b0065="bigttmac99"]Engine problem
1997 Buick Lesabre 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 100000 miles
----------------------------------------------------------------
there is periods of time the vehicle will not start is it a problem with the engine or a problem with a starter[/quote:0c062b0065]
check starter and battery + terminals
check if alrarm related

i had diagnostic done, no problems with the sensors as far as readings etc.
no vacuum leaks,no bad connections, no codes pending or stored.
car starts right up when it is cold, once engine is warm it will immediately shut off when it is started a few times before it finally stays running, the tach will fluctuate between 1000 and 1500RPM a few times before it settles at around 700, after that it runs perfectly and drives great. if i let it sit until engine is cold it will again start and run great 1st try.
fuel pressure is right on the money. everyone who has tried to figure it out is stumped, was also told that if it was the PCM the car would never run right.

try cleaning the throttle plate with choke cleaner on both sides and make sure no holes in air ducts.

brand new upper intake was installed and throttle body is like new.
there are no leaks anywhere

the only thing i can think of is to check cam and crank sensors for ohms. it may get hot and not want to run right or have to many ohms creating to much resistance. we dont' have info for them so check against new. or if someone has a resistance chart for those.

i could check the sensors, it is worth a shot.
i can get the values to go by for the resistance.
if i hold the gas a tiny bit when i start it it will stay running.
i changed the IAC and TPS and they test good.

well the cam and cranks sensors alot of times won't set a code bu still can be screwed up. Also with the fuel pressure did you check it after the engine was off and let it sit to see what happened?

it had a problem last month with fuel pressure, the pump was shot and i ended up getting a new tank, sending unit with the pump, filler neck, fuel filter and pressure regulator, i opened a can of worms with the rust that was on the old stuff.
the regulator was changed because the old one was malfunctioning.
i know the sensors can be bad even without a code, i ran into that with the MAF. the garage initially told me to change the TPS because with very little pressure on pedal it will stay running, you release and it goes to 700RPM. it is a very nice running engine, tons of pickup and smooth. only issue is starting, i am not an expert by far but it almost seems like the PCM is not picking up the initial pulse from the crank sensor to start the firing order and holding the pedal a little gets the engine to stay on long enough for it to catch up. probably way off but it is an educated guess anyway lol.

to add to the already screwed up car, it has 3 new premium quality coils, new bosh premium wires and irridium spark plugs, the PCM is not reporting a misfire but there is one, engine is running a little bit rough and you can hear the miss when you are at the back of the car.it is running on all 6 and has power.

i exchanged the plug wires for new ones under warranty, seems to have gotten rid of the misfire.
no one can tell me why the car will not stay running when i start it warm, with all of the work done it will no longer shoot up to high idle or fluctuate much on the tach but unless i put a little pressure on the gas it will not keep running when it is started warm. after about 10 seconds i can release gas and it runs fine until next time i have to start it again. always starts fine cold.
no check engine light, no vacuum leaks, no bad connections, fuel pressure is where it should be, plenty of power. everyone is stumped, the only thing that it could be is a bad PCM i am being told. i looked at the PCM there is a little panel with 2 hex screws, is that where the chip is to switch to a new PCM?

pcm is an exchange unit

i can get a PCM from another 97 lesabre that has 96,000 miles on it, just wondering if there is a chip behind that plate or if it will start if i just put another PCM in.

pcm's have to be programmed to the vehicle by vin number
you can change it but it will have to be reprogrammed.

i'll have to deal with it not starting right away after it has warmed up, the dealer near me for buick already said they can not do anything because the car is too old.

you can always try another pcm it might work but it might be worse

My car won't start first thing in the morning or on a wet day. I have replaced the relay and the fuel filter. Once the air warms up and dries out the car it will start with no problems. When it won't start you do not hear the fuel pump. Every other time you hear the pump with no problem. One day while raining I jumped the relay area with a paper clip at the fuel pump and power connections. It started up, but I haven't been able to get it do again when it won't start. Any and all help will be greatly appreciated, it is getting frustrating. I have taken it to the garage they can't figure it out either.

I forgot to mention that it has all new spark plugs and wires. It also cranks over but it seems like when there is moisture in the air the fuel pump will not come on.

It seems as though my problem is getting worse. It now has a new battery and the other day it wouldn't start, 15 minutes later it did. Went about 12 miles shut the car off for 1 hour. It didn't want to start and finally it did. Please any assistance is greatly appreciated. 3 mechanics later and still no luck.

my 97 buick quit running so i changed the coil packs the car is turning over but wont start could the plugs and wires stop it from turning over

[quote:1d898bd2c6="cgibsoncleveland"]Engine problem
1997 Buick Lesabre 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 160000 miles
----------------------------------------------------------------
my 97 buick quit running so i changed the coil packs the car is turning over but wont start could the plugs and wires stop it from turning over[/quote:1d898bd2c6]


is it fuel or spark !!!!
check if you have spark at the coil
if so and fuel ok
check or replace plugs
also if no spark check and or replace crank sensor
let me know
check fuel and spark

i have 2997 lesabre and it has been sitting for 2 months i charged up the battery and all it does is crank but wont start. it started just fine 2 months ago it is getting gas because i can smell it. even tried to jump it but it does the same thing

Does it have spark?Is it flooded?Have you tried holding your gas pedal all the way to the floor while cranking to start it?In order to make sure you have enough fuel pressure to start and run you will have to hook up a fuel pressure gauge and see what the actual fuel pressure is.

it goes like it wants to start but even if i give it gas it doesn't do anything. there is gas in the car so its not out of gas.

Had the fuel pump and assembly changed a couple months ago. Has been working fine. Went out, came back home went to go out again n car didn't start like it ran out of gas. But gas in there.

So went n got gas n put it in...didn't help. Thought it might be flooded cause the times we tried to start it so let it sit for a little...and same thing. Now battery is dead too...please help

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


Get a helper disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine at least 3/16 away from ground -have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem,Do you hear the fuel pump come On when you turn key on? If not check fuel pump fuse and fuel pump relay if so, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs,coil's resistances,distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors and computer Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it.

HAVE BEEN PLACED ON A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE..IGNATION MODULE REPLACED..COILS..STILL ACTS LIKE IT WANTS TO TURN OVER, BUT HAVE TO WAIT 5 HOURS OR MORE BEFORE IT WILL START BACK UP..

Do below to determine whether it's fuel or spark problem:

Cranks but no start condition:

Fuel and Spark:
Get a helper disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine at least 3/16 away from ground -have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs,coil's resistances,distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors and computer Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it.

Engine dies and won't start until it sets for awhile.
Sometimes it just won't start when cold.

hi first we need to check fuel pressure at fuel rail while the car will not start.you also need to check for spark when it won,t start most likely one of these two things are missing when it won,t start after we determine this we can help you diagnose the failing part let me know thanks billymac

[quote:6402b703d4="billymac"]hi first we need to check fuel pressure at fuel rail while the car will not start.you also need to check for spark when it won,t start most likely one of these two things are missing when it won,t start after we determine this we can help you diagnose the failing part let me know thanks billymac[/quote:6402b703d4]

When it wont start there is no fire to the coils or plugs.
I have replaced everything that might be causing the problem.
Just replaced the PCM, no help. runs perfect when it runs.
Thanks John

hi john sounds like the crank sensor has failed.this part is behind the crank pulley and is fired by the fireing ring on the crank pulley. care must be taken when replaceing. as to not damage the aluminum rings .another possibility is the ign module.this is mounted under the coils.there are technical ways of testing these parts but special tools and training are needed.the module you can remove and a auto store can test it. the crank sensor can be tested with a dvm. be sure and check all fuses first. thanks billymac

[quote:0aaf5ef629="billymac"]hi john sounds like the crank sensor has failed.this part is behind the crank pulley and is fired by the fireing ring on the crank pulley. care must be taken when replaceing. as to not damage the aluminum rings .another possibility is the ign module.this is mounted under the coils.there are technical ways of testing these parts but special tools and training are needed.the module you can remove and a auto store can test it. the crank sensor can be tested with a dvm. be sure and check all fuses first. thanks billymac[/quote:0aaf5ef629]

I had the crank sensor and crank pully and ign module replaced about a year ago and two days later it died again and has been doing it ever since.
Crazy isn't it!!!
Thanks John