Engine will crank but not start?

I also have a 1995 Pontiac Grand Am, Quad 4 engine. I have not yet figured mine out, but have replaced fuel filter, checked plugs, replaced injector wiring (which was in poor shape) ect. I found a procedure in the Haynes manual I am about to try. It may help you as well. Since it jumps around to different sections of the manual and because of copyright issues I won't post the entire procedure, but I will tell you where to find it.

Haynes Repair Manual 38025, Chapter 5, Page 5-9, Section "Engine cranks over but won't start"

I found this though: 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.

Everytime I try to start up my car for the past week it sometimes will start other times won't when it doesn't I can feel when I pump the gas it doesn't flow in every once and awhile when I start it up and it does flow and i try moving it it'll stall out on me it feels like the car's not getting gas into it the fuel filter was replaced yesterday and the fuel injector was replaced 3 weeks ago but this problem just started about 8-10 days ago and this is really bugging me after awhile it will usually start up if i let it sit, iv waited between 30-60 minutes and it will start up but still have the fuel barely going through, Every time I've gotten it to start up i move the car back and fourth and then let it sit come back and it starts up fine but this morning I tried starting it up, it did fine but i could feel the fuel not going in and it stalled out on me, i tried for about an hour to get it to go... nothing when I came home about 4:00 today im thinking it might start up I try and nothing I moved it and still nothing. Also, If I leave it in park for about 5 minutes the engine light comes on or when I'm going down the road and not pressing on the gas, but when I put it into drive it'll turn off and while i'm driving i have to turn it off and restart it to get the light to turn off. Any Ideas? Thanks.

When the problem occurs, have a helper crank it, while you visually check for spark at the plugs. If that is ok, use a gage and check fuel pressure. If your fully obd1 compliant, I'd have to look, you should be able to access mil codes, yourself.

I had my brother check it and it sparked back and fourth through all of the spark plugs how would I know if they're out if they're rusted? Because one of them is. I talked to the person who sold me the car and he said it could be the battery because it's pretty old and he's going to replace it, and could it possibly be the fuel pump?

Hmm well I checked my car and he replaced the battery this morning while I was sleeping, still no luck starting it up I'm thinking it might be the fuel pump but I'm not quite sure any other suggestions?

Hello Dericksen

Scan the pcm for code(s),because there is engine light,there is probably code and come back.
if the problem is fuel related,a lean code should be there.

Is there a way to figure out the code with out having to pay for towing and then another 75$ to figure out the code?

Hello Dericksen some pre1995 are OBDI and some late 95 are OBDII compliant.it should be a sticker under the hood. let make it simple, run a jumper wire or paper clip between A and B

Next turn your key on but don't start. Watch your check engine flash the code/s. EXAMPLE: CODE 12: one long flash and two short flashes CODE 13: one long flash and 3 short flashes. If you make mistake reading the codes,my diagnosis will also be wrong. Tell me what you got?

Hmm I looked all over under my hood and under the dash I'm not seeing it anywhere I'm going to double check but im not seeing it anywhere would the be a specific place? and I'm not exactally sure if it's a newer or older one.

EDIT: I double checked everywhere still couldn't find it any idea where else it could be?

We recently bought the car. the car had sat for 6-8 months. we put gas in the car twice on the second time it would not start. it tried it would chug chug like it not getting enough gas. it was running fine when we pulled up to the pumps. it sat over night and most of the next day. it started still kind of chugging when it first started. when it got shut off at the house it wouldn't start again.

Check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter and fuel pump

Hello,

Front seating area, driver side, under dash, mounted above brake pedal

how do u check the fuel pressure?

Well that's where I searched and here's what I found there's just some wires in those two pull down parts and the diagnostics connection

If you don't have a fuel test port on the fuel rail-use a fuel pressure gauge and Tee-in from the fuel filter

connect paper clip or jumper wire , follow the instruction above and come back with result.

my husband looked under the car the inline fuel filter is loose when he touches it it leads gas. could this be the problem . or the fuel lines

Tried it and nothing happen i took the picture up side down but I also tried it in every other hole and nothing just the seat belt light flashed about 45 times because I wasn't wearing it.

Its losing fuel pressure without the correct pressure the EFI w/n function right.

Hello Dericksen

Don't worry if the connector is not working,I'll help you find out the problem anyway.
. Have someone start the car while you listen to the fuel pump .
open the fuel filer neck and listen. you should hear a buzzing sound.
let me know what you heard.

Well the guy who sold me my car came over yesterday with a fuel pump after a couple of hours we got it replaced this morning because we accidentally broke a fuel line but got that replaced, after about ten minutes we got it started up, i shook and wabbled for awhile which i'm guessing is the gas going through the car, I drove it down to the gas station it was pretty slow but I got it there put some in came back home and turned it off about ten minutes later I turned it on and it was perfect except for one thing the connector to the muffler fell off which isn't too big of a deal besides the fact that it sounds like I'm firing off a gun, but the starting up problem is fixed now and I have a friend who's an expert welder who's going to come over later today to reattach it, thanks for the help.

Hello Dericksen

I'm glad you got it fixed.
Thank you for your donation and for visiting 2CarPros.com we hope to help you again the next time you need us

Gentlemen: I can't thank you enough for your help in figuring out my timing chain problem ( no oil slinger remember). Anyway I did the repairs ( got a oil slinger from the junk yard) & all was well for 2 days & it ran perfect. My daughter parked it in her driveway went out about 1 1/2 hours later & it won't start. I almost cried but I did a compression check & is 1=140 lb # 2= 137 lb # 3 = 145 & # 4 - 150. so it's not timming. I put a code reader on it & it was throwing no codes. I shot a little starting fluid in the air cleaner & nothing. It seems like no spark. I changed out the crank sensor still nothing. I checked all fuses & they all checked good.I have a red temp light on when key is on I also have the SERVICE ENGINE SOON light on. from what I understand this light says it's throwing a code but the reader says no ?. I need your great minds again. Help me please. I am about ready to buy a pack of hot dogs & light her up !!! I hear the fuel pump build up pressure & shut off. I'm told on the 95 model they went from OBD 1 to 2 & the code reader wont read it. My dealer is less than fair on their prices so if I can avoid them great. I'll be waiting to hear from you guys.I'm going to donate a little more than last time cause I owe you one. Thanks for your time .Duane PS I had the module checked & it passed I didn't check the coils because with 2 coils I thought if one was bad it would hit on 2 cylinders anyway

First thing we need to know is what you're missing. Fuel pressure, injector pulse, spark or any combination thereof. The fuel pump will run for a few seconds when you turn on the key, but if the regulator is bad it sends the fuel right back to the tank. Try to narrow down what's what you've lost, and get back to us. We can go from there. Guessing, on our part, can get expensive for you.

How does one check for spark when it's all under the coil pack ?

There are several spark testers available on the after market, but the simplest way is to pull the coil pack, insert 4 spark plugs in the boots and lay the pack on the engine with the threaded part of the plugs touching ground. Crank the engine and watch for spark at the plugs.

1995 pontiac grand am 2.3l auto 94,356 miles ....intermittant no starts.....loss of power -replaced fuel filter --power to fuel pump -ok....unable to locate test port on fuel rail to test fuel pressure.....any suggestion?...

Sounds like a fuel pump to me...... Sometimes you have to tap into the fuel system at the filter or where the fuel line hooks up to the fuel rail

[quote:8add6b18d4="2CarPro Jack"]Sounds like a fuel pump to me...... Sometimes you have to tap into the fuel system at the filter or where the fuel line hooks up to the fuel rail[/quote:8add6b18d4]yup.......thanks ....had to tee in at at the inlet side of the fuel rail........fuel pressure 42 psi..........still no start.....will be changing the crankshaft position sensor.....

Engine Performance problem
1995 Pontiac Grand Am 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic
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My car for the past 2 days will start acting up like the engine light and the check oil lights will start flashing and the speedometer will start moving up and down the car would die then start back up. Now the car will not start at ll it turns over but will not start

Pull the OBD code/s from it -below is how you do it and come back with it.

1995 Grand AM GT, 3100 / 3.1 V6 with 104k. It runs great when it is running and seems to never have any problems, but sometimes out of the blue it seems like it is trying to run / crank, but it just won't turn over. It does not appear to be a starter problem as I can hear the starter working fine. I pump the gas and it just seems like it's not getting fuel or won't turn over. After about 20 minutes or some random amount of time, I can usually get it started by pumping the gas. One shop told me I had low fuel pressure and needed a new pump, another told me that a fuel pump wouldn't work intermittently like that, so it must be something else. Had the plugs, wires, and coil pack replaced. Also threw a code for an EGR valve going bad, but it didn't throw that code until sometime after it started this intermittent problem. No other codes noted. Any advice? I really don't have a ton of money to throw into it, but I really need it to be reliable.

Thanks!

1995 Pontiac Grand Am 1995 Grand AM GT 3.1 V6 Won't start

Do below to determine if its fuel or spark causing the problem.

Get a starting fluid/ether/better off gas in a spray bottle and spray into the carb or the throttle body on an EFI. Did it start and die? If not disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine -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,cap and rotor /distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, ECM,Ignitor cam and crank sensors- Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it

would a lose EVAP Purge valve vacuum line or an EGR valve cause the problem i have described?

Are you getting fuel and spark?

i am not sure about when it is having its "problem" or not running/firing.. right now it is running, so it does have fuel and spark.. i was just trying to find out if the EGR valve being bad and a vacuum being unplugged from the evap purge valve would cause an intermittent firing / running problem?

A massive vacuum leak can prevent the engine from starting can be caused by the EGR or vac. hoses-No its not the EGR or the purge valve

I recommend you have the fuel pressure checked out

Did you find your problem

It's getting gas and the battery is charged, but it's not firing (there's no spark from the sdpsrk plugs)
I've also changed the coils.

did you check all fuses? when did this start happening?