Need help car won't start! Long.

[6pack]

You can read my post below for some more info, but as of yesterday this is what I have. It will turn over slow then fast as if it's going to crank then falls back to the slow crank. It has started but immediately died and that was with me giving it gas. Ok heres what I've done since I got the car(previous owner said it cranked and idled fine but if gas peddle was touched it would stall)replaced fuel pump(walbro 340 with racetronix hot wire harness), replaced fpr with adj one, put a fuel gauge on the rail and installed the cold air kit. Maf is plugged in, comp wheel is clean, undamaged and turns freely. I have 42# of fuel press at guage so I am guessing that is a sure thing that it has fuel on the rail, right? Have not checked spark but know how to do that and will later, how can I be sure their is fuel at the rail? Car also popped a couple of times while cranking, not really a backfire just a low pitched pop Please help as I bought this car to drive not work on ALL the time. I know you guys can help me figure it out. Please ask if you need more info and I can also take pics if that would help. Thanks guys!

 

[BuickTV6]

That sucks!

Hmm. My car did the same thoing, and it turned out to be the crank sensor. Just a suggestion... I would check for spark.. It should pretty well fire if theres ample spark and fuel....

 

[6pack]

Thanks Buicktv6....

but how do I checkthe crank sensor. I will try anything you guys suggest as long as it gets fixed.
Oh going to check for spark right now. If the fuel pressure is getting a reading is that a sure thing there is fuel at the rail?

 

[BuickTV6]

Well if you have a fuel guage hooked uo to th rail, then thats a guarantee that there's fuel pressure at the rail. I'm pretty sure that its coil or sensor related.. Check the cam sensor, and crank sensor. I dont know of a real good way to check the crank sensor, but im sure someone else here knows how to accurately. I just lucked out. Changed it, and it worked

 

[6pack]

Just tried to check the spark

and the battery is dead Think I will take a break from it today as I am already pissed at it.

 

[6pack]

Well it has fuel

Took the regulator off and it blew out fuel but the line that goes in the bottom is leaking has a hiss, the seal is almost cut into. Would that affect anything? Through for the day!

 

[HOTSIX]

Things to check !!!



Okay...I went through what it would seem you are going through. My no start lasted for about 2 months or more...

1. When was the last time it ran...that YOU heard it run ? My problem turned out to be injectors were all dryed out 'cause not used IMMEDIATELY after cleaned and flow tested - they were not oiled to keep 'um lubed either.
2. CRANK SENSOR could be toast...sometimes they crack = think they are made of white matel or something...seem quite weak. It might not be properly lined up on the interruptor fins on the crank itself or it could jst have gone bad. CHECK THIS.

3. CAM sensor. There are instructions on how to set it correctly at the top of this forum "Basic Hotair Info". If you dont have spark - this and the crank sensor are your problem. Although I believe the crank sensor sets up the injector pulse....

4. FUEL - is there fuel getting to the plugs ? Are they wet and smell ? Try spraying a lil gas into the throttle body when you are cranking it over. See what happens...no luck there ? Use a test light on an injector plug (take it off the inj) while you crank it - tip of test light on one terminal inside injector plug and the other end of test light (alligator clip or whatever) on the other side of it to complete the circuit.

5. Try a known good MAF and a known good IGN module and coil pack. These could also be the source of your problem.

6. CODES - have you tried jumping the ALDL connector terminals to see if any codes have been tripped in the ECM ? Try that as well... (paperclip to the last 2 terminals together...wait for the SES light on the dash to flash and record the flashes) 12 12 12 flashes then whatever the code it if it has been tripped.

I have some other NO START flow charts for you later if nothing above works for ya. Think simple - Fuel + Spark + Compression = Start. You have good compression dont ya ?
Anyone else feel free to chime in here....

Don't worry - it will be running soon. With all the guys on here I got mine going and prob wouldn't have if I wasn't a member here....

 

[6pack]

Thanks HOTSIX...

I am going to check those things out. The funny thing is the guy I bought it from said it was running last time he cranked it which I believe was around Oct-Nov of 2001. It(he said)would crank and idle fine just when fuel pedle was touched it stalled. Well when car got here, we tried to crank it and the main fuel line had a hole in it so we shut it off. So I replaced the fuel line(rubber)and the fuel pump with the walbro 340 and hot wire while I had the tank out. I have never heard the car crank as I bought this car over the net and that is what is pissing me off, but like you said I know you guys will get me up and running in no time, I'm really surprised more have not replied! Thanks

 

[6pack]

ok

Have spark from #1 wire, cam sensor read 7 volts key on, crank sensor looked fine what I could tell caked up with gunk but looked lined up ok, no codes, have power to injectors. Plugs are wet with gas. It also pops when first trying to crank if I leave it alone a few minutes but right after does not. Fuel pressure also leaks down 1# every 30 seconds, is that bad? If the crank sensor was bad I would not get any spark would I? Started raining so have to wait to set cam sensor.

 

[6pack]

Went out and looked at the fp guage after 1hr 20 min it is now reading 10# that can't be good. Will resume testing tomorrow. Also need to know how to find tdc and timing mark on balancer, I did not see one and I am used to chevy balancers with the little line and that is what I was looking for. Please help

 

[mycarsucks]

Well, if you are getting fuel and spark then there are a few things that can be wrong

First, make sure your fuel isn't bad. That seems to be one of the biggest "gotchas" with a no start.

Timing could be a problem like you said. Go to gnttype.org and reset it based on their specs. (its no fun i would do this last)

Compression. You say that your cranking has varied speeds? This could easily be because of compression. Borrow a compression gauge.


Yes, if you are getting spark then you're crank sensor is functioning. If all these things are fine then you should have a car that starts.

 

[6pack]

I think I may have found my problem!

I got an email today from previous owner and he said the guy before him had a kill switch installed. Sure enough went and checked the switch and it was off. This was after I screwed the cam sensor setiing up of course. It did start but went dead as I forgot to put the #1 plug back it so it backfired and went dead. I believe I will buy a cam setting tool and save myself some busted knuckles! Thanks for all the help! And of course I will ask for it if it does not start after I get cam sensor set correctly