engine wont start

1997 ISUZU RODEO
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PF0001
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Engine Performance problem 6 cyl Four Wheel Drive Automatic 100K miles

I had taken the vehicle into a shop to check why it wouldn't start. It turns over, starter, battery, everything sounds fine, just simply doesn't start. The mechanic advised I needed a fuel pump. I just changed the fuel pump and the results are no different. It cranks, but won't fire /start up. What should I check next (limited funds).

I can check voltage, but I had just replaced the battery about 2 months earlier. The issue started when I was driving. The vehicle simply just shut off (I only knew as I lost power steering, brakes and the dash lights came on), there was no unusual noises, nothing. Just cut off, I coasted to the curb. Historically I have had issues w/ the headlights dimming when I do many things, turn a blinker on, turn the heat/ac on, hit the brakes, everything I did would dim the lights (that had been happening for quits some time, but never impacted its ability to start or run (always ran fine), this came up all of a sudden. Should I start w/ some cheaper electrical parts? It really sounds like it should start, just doesn't.

The check engine light had been on and off. I had a friend test the code w/ a hand held. It stated that there "were no errors".

Thanks.
Dec 7, 2009 at 6:55 AM
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KHLOW2008
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The link would let you know what to test for, sparks or fuel that is missing.

Other things to check are, compression, timing belt and ECU.

If the CEL is indicating, there should be some problem and if no codes are stored, there is a possibility the ECU is bad or you have a loose wire somewhere.

DO NOT start replacing things until you have narrowed it down to possible causes.

You should be following this link.

https://www.2carpros.com/first_things/car_cranks_but_wont_start.htm

From the symptoms, it could be spark plugs, weak ignition coil or low fuel pressure.

It could also be a compression fault. Check the timing belt to see if it is loose and could have jumped some tooth.
Dec 7, 2009 at 7:49 AM
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JUSTINMARRIER
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I have a new pcm or ecu and that did not fix it. I put the old one back in to see if I could get a code but didn't work. I have spark and fuel pressure to the injectors, when i tested the injectors no fuel came out. I've been trying to get to the crankshaft position sensor to see if that does anything. IF I HAVE SPARK DOES THAT MEAN MY CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR IS OK?
Dec 8, 2014 at 5:19 PM
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JONATHAN MARTINEZ
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Hi 95 isuzu had odd symptoms bad fuel pump. checked battery and alternator at Autozone, checked all vacuum lines sensors.
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Mar 9, 2017 at 7:16 PM
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STRAILER
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Hey,

Great addition to this thread! Please feel free to help out on the site whenever it can add information that will help.

Best, Ken
Mar 13, 2017 at 12:40 PM
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JUSTINMARRIER
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Out of no where the vehicle just died, ( stalled). I have done some diagnostics such as, fuel pressure witch I do have, spark, witch I do have, power and fuses are good. I replaced the PCM thinking that's what it had to be and that still hasn't made a difference. I'm at a loss of what I should be checking now. I have no check engine lights or codes. Is there other sensors that could fail that would keep my car from starting that wouldn't throw a code?
Mar 29, 2017 at 11:07 AM (Merged)
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JOHNNYT73
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Have you checked to see if the timing belt has broke or has become loose?
Mar 29, 2017 at 11:07 AM (Merged)
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JUSTINMARRIER
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Yes I have, and it's ok
Mar 29, 2017 at 11:07 AM (Merged)
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JUSTINMARRIER
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Anyone have any other ideas? I'm really at a loss here. I have spark, fuel pressure to the injectors, but the injectors are not spraying the fuel into the motor. I did try a new pcm, and still mouthing.
Mar 29, 2017 at 11:07 AM (Merged)
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JUSTINMARRIER
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When I checked the spark plugs all of them were dry. I've been told it's rare that all the injectors would fail at once.
Mar 29, 2017 at 11:07 AM (Merged)
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JOHNNYT73
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Hmm..I would say a crank position sensor but you usually lose spark and inject pulse.
Mar 29, 2017 at 11:07 AM (Merged)
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JUSTINMARRIER
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Someone else just told to check that crank position sensor as well. Is there a way to test the sensor to know if it works. I ask because that's not a cheap part to buy on a guess.
Mar 29, 2017 at 11:07 AM (Merged)
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ROBERT AR
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stopped running at once. cel had been on "forever". checked fuel pressure after filter and at schrader valve pressurised. no fuel smell at tail pipe after cranking. replaced ecu relay, replaced ecu with identical used unit. actron recognised new ecu, no start. i want to recd crank pos sensor or cam pos sensor. any recommendations?
Mar 29, 2017 at 11:07 AM (Merged)
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HMAC300
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scan for codes and check fuelpressure first with a gauge autoparts rent it. do tha first. shold be 43-55 psi key on engine off
Mar 29, 2017 at 11:07 AM (Merged)
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JOHNNYT73
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Raise vehicle & disconnect CKP sensor harness. Turn ignition "on" with test light to ground, Probe harness ignition feed terminal.if test light does not illuminate check ignition feed wire between sensor & PCM for short to ground.if test light does illuminate with ignition "on" at CKP harness connector, connect test light between ignition & ground terminals. Does test light illuminate if test light does not illuminate check sensor ground circuit for open or short to voltage.if test light does illuminate check signal circuit between sensor & PCM for short to ground, short to voltage, or open circuit.was a problem foun with signal circuit. If no problem found replace CKP sensor. If a problem was found repair or replace as necessary.
Mar 29, 2017 at 11:07 AM (Merged)
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ROBERT AR
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52psi fuel pressure, no codes on new computer.
Mar 29, 2017 at 11:07 AM (Merged)
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JUSTINMARRIER
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Thank you for that trouble shooting info, I'm going to try all of it tomorrow
Mar 29, 2017 at 11:07 AM (Merged)
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HMAC300
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there wouldn't be any codes on the new computer because you took the old one off.......check ect sensor shold be 3520 ohms at 68 degrees tehn go down form there the hotter it is less ohoms. try replacing pcm relay with a like one and see what happens. check fuses eb 10-12-15 in relay box then do your cran/cam sensor
Mar 29, 2017 at 11:07 AM (Merged)
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JOHNNYT73
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Were you able to correct the issue?
Mar 29, 2017 at 11:07 AM (Merged)
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ROBERT AR
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crank sesor. dun n dun.
Mar 29, 2017 at 11:07 AM (Merged)
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JUSTINMARRIER
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No I was not able to. I did replace the crank shaft position sensor, and that did not fix the problem.
Mar 29, 2017 at 11:07 AM (Merged)
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JOHNNYT73
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I would get a noid light to test your injectors to see if they are pulsing when you try to start the vehicle.
Mar 29, 2017 at 11:07 AM (Merged)
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TCAL1600
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1997 Isuzu Rodeo Question 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 176000 miles

i have been having problems with my rodeo. it has trouble going up hills and on the freeway. Right now it wont start but it seems like everything is fine except for the fact that it doesnt want to turnover.Can you help me so i dont have to scrap it or spend alot of money.
Mar 29, 2017 at 11:07 AM (Merged)
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RASMATAZ
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Check if the exhaust system is clogged-up due to the catalytic converter if okay do below

Get a helper disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine atleast 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
Mar 29, 2017 at 11:07 AM (Merged)
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GABI8680
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The car will turn over bug it will not start. Please give me any clues to what it could be causing this.
Mar 29, 2017 at 11:07 AM (Merged)
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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We need to start by checking to see if there is spark and fuel to the engine. An easy way to check is by trying to start it using starting fluid. If it starts, then no fuel is getting to the engine. If it doesn't start, most likely there is no spark to the plugs. Try that and let me know what you find.
Mar 29, 2017 at 11:07 AM (Merged)
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BPARTON1206
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I replaced the fuel pump twice and spark plugs and everything seemed to be ok then it ran out of gas and now it won't start its getting fuel and turns over but won't start also the fuel pump doesn't come on until I turn the key off?
Mar 29, 2017 at 11:09 AM (Merged)
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MPCOP077
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It began with me driving down the road and I lost electrical power. My first assumption was the alternator took a crap on me. When I got it home, I put the battery charger on it and it started fine, but had low volts. I could drive it locally for a couple days until the battery died again. The alternator wasn't charging. I took the alternator to O'Reilly's to have it tested and the test came back fine. I put the alternator back in and now it won't start at all. It turns over, but won't fire up. Any ideas what this could be? I put a code reader on it and from what I can tell, it came back with no problems.
Mar 29, 2017 at 11:09 AM (Merged)
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RASMATAZ
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You could have blown a fuse-check it out and also refer to this link for more information: https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start
Mar 29, 2017 at 11:09 AM (Merged)
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GGAMEZ9
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Yesterday morning when I went to start my car up it wouldn't start. When I put the key in it seems to have power but when I turn it all the way to START it loses all power.
Its not the battery because I just bought a new one thinking it was the battery,
I don't know much if anything at all about cars. What could it be ?
Any help is appreciated
Also One thing i noticed was that when i have the key in the ignition and i test the headlights i HEAR a clicking noise coming from the fuse box area, what do you think that is? and the headlights dont come ON
Any help is greatly Appreciated
Mar 29, 2017 at 11:09 AM (Merged)
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JOHNNYT73
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It could the starter. The clicking you hear is just relays. Check your battery connections to be sure they clean and tight.
Mar 29, 2017 at 11:09 AM (Merged)
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cracking but no start
Mar 29, 2017 at 11:09 AM (Merged)
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RASMATAZ
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Check engine compression, fuel and spark-also refer to this walk thru link: https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start
Mar 29, 2017 at 11:09 AM (Merged)
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MHPAUTOS
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I agree, we need to know if you have fuel pressure, spark and injection pulse, and a scan for any unresolved fault codes will be handy as well.
Mar 29, 2017 at 11:09 AM (Merged)
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DEBRA W.GAY
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my car sputters when i first start it up in the morning. one it is warmed up it is fine. Then when it sits for several hours, I have to go through the process again. please advise.
Mar 29, 2017 at 11:09 AM (Merged)
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Check fuel pump pressure. It may be dropping off when it sits and taking longer than normal to build. For directions, go to our homepage under the DIY section.
Mar 29, 2017 at 11:09 AM (Merged)