Cranks but doesnt start
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 313
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Cranks but doesnt start so my car wont start at the moment. it cranks but wont turn over. theres power in the cab. i did smell gas under the hood after trying(not strong,no leaks).it even sounded like it was trying- nearly sputtered to life...
now the first time it did this was about 2mths ago. it was cranking kind of slow then so i thought maybe battery. well i replaced the battery after finding a stripped terminal and connector on the old battery. with the new optima it cranked & turned over just fine. jumped to life and ran great until now. i thought that was all it was but now its doing the same thing again.
if im wrong let me know but i figured if it was a plug or wire it would start but not run so great, and if it was the starter it wouldnt be cranking, so im thinking opti or coil. but it ran great 2 days ago and if it was missing i didnt hear it or feel it...
let me know what you guys think. im probably going to run to the parts store and get something to read codes.
now the first time it did this was about 2mths ago. it was cranking kind of slow then so i thought maybe battery. well i replaced the battery after finding a stripped terminal and connector on the old battery. with the new optima it cranked & turned over just fine. jumped to life and ran great until now. i thought that was all it was but now its doing the same thing again.
if im wrong let me know but i figured if it was a plug or wire it would start but not run so great, and if it was the starter it wouldnt be cranking, so im thinking opti or coil. but it ran great 2 days ago and if it was missing i didnt hear it or feel it...
let me know what you guys think. im probably going to run to the parts store and get something to read codes.
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 313
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i think i will just replace the coil and module since they dont cost too much. hopefully thats all it is.
i also forgot to mention that when it has been starting the last few months, right as it turns over i hear a squeal/chirp.is this the starter? has anyone else heard this sound?
i also forgot to mention that when it has been starting the last few months, right as it turns over i hear a squeal/chirp.is this the starter? has anyone else heard this sound?
Staging Lane
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: St. Charles, IL
In automotive terms, "cranks" and "turns over" means the same thing. I mention this because it will confuse someone when trying to describe the problem you are having. Sounds like the engine will turn over (cranks), but it won't start (fire).
If you smell fuel, chances are the motor is getting fuel, but you don't know for sure. If in doubt, put a fuel pressure gauge on the test port that is located in the line that connects the two fuel rails together. Also, pull the oil dipstick and smell the oil on the dipstick. If it smells like oil, the motor may be flooded. If so, you will definately want to change the oil once you fix the problem. Pull one of the spark plugs to see it if is soaked with fuel. If so, the motor is definately flooded. Put an inexpensive spark tester on one of the ignition wires to see if it is getting spark, that way you will have a lot more information to work with and can replace/repair the part(s) necessary rather than guessing and just throwing a bunch of parts at the car and hoping one of them may fix it. The parts store guys love it when someone comes in and asks them what they should replace or the person just starts randomly buying parts...he'll probably be back to the store several times before it is actually fixed ($$$). Good luck. Post your findings here and you'll get the assistance you need to properly diagnose the problem, if need be.
If you smell fuel, chances are the motor is getting fuel, but you don't know for sure. If in doubt, put a fuel pressure gauge on the test port that is located in the line that connects the two fuel rails together. Also, pull the oil dipstick and smell the oil on the dipstick. If it smells like oil, the motor may be flooded. If so, you will definately want to change the oil once you fix the problem. Pull one of the spark plugs to see it if is soaked with fuel. If so, the motor is definately flooded. Put an inexpensive spark tester on one of the ignition wires to see if it is getting spark, that way you will have a lot more information to work with and can replace/repair the part(s) necessary rather than guessing and just throwing a bunch of parts at the car and hoping one of them may fix it. The parts store guys love it when someone comes in and asks them what they should replace or the person just starts randomly buying parts...he'll probably be back to the store several times before it is actually fixed ($$$). Good luck. Post your findings here and you'll get the assistance you need to properly diagnose the problem, if need be.
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
ok, so i finally got some time to tinker with it today. i was going to scan for codes(which im not sure would even show up if it wasnt starting?) and i decide to try to start it and it turns right over-no hesitation,no stagger. so this is the second time it hasnt started only to be fine later. makes me think something isnt making a connection somewhere... the only code i found was the skip shift since i have the skip shift disabled at the tranny but i dont have it tuned out in the pcm. i would have rather had something wrong and known what it was then to go on never knowing when my car is going to start. i guess im going to check my wiring,connectors etc. if you have any thoughts,let me know. thanks for the feedback so far
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I tried not to but I can not help it:
What is oil supposed to smell like when its not flooded... Cheeseburgers? 
Like I said sorry not trying to be mean but come on thats def funny.
Like I said sorry not trying to be mean but come on thats def funny.
