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cranks but wont turn over and im stumped

S

swagcaptain

New member
97 grand prix, thought I ran out of gas and literally coasted to the pump. Put in some gas and still nothing. Cranks but wont turn over. Checked spark and fuel rail for fuel. I sprayed starting fluid in the throttle body and it still wouldn't start... any ideas?
 


so did you get spark? and did fuel spray out of the fuel rail when you pushed the valve in?

maybe you didnt run out of gas? it ever just stall for no reason in the past?

check your fuse box for a blown fuse also, never know.

a bad crank sensor plays games, car stalls it may fire right back up, or not fire up for 15 minutes, or not till the next day or longer before it will fire up. it almost never set the cel light.

is the check engine light on by any chance? if so get it scanned. its free at most parts stores.
 
I got spark and fuel came out of the fuel rail, my main concern is that it didn't start with the starting fluid and to me that is odd, it seemed to want to start but extremely rough and car was fine before. Also I don't hear my fuel pump kicking on and now think could it possibly be 2 things. I got it towed home so I can't get it on a pc to get the codes but I have all my tools here
 
Rent a fuel psi tester to be sure you have pressure. Then check your plugs. While at it replace fuel filter if the psi is low. Might as well check compression while you r renting tools and pulling plugs.
 
okay so I have compression. I changed fuel pump then ran my old one to battery and it came on so I replaced the relay n still nothing. however if I jump the relay with a wire the pump kicks on but car still dont start. car ran fine when it died out
 


you try this yet? if it works afterwards the resistor is bad.

relays.jpg
 
Just to confirm, you have spark, and compression. You can add fuel and it still does not start? How are you testing spark? The spark should be a blue spark that can jump at least 1/2 inch gap. I use an HEI spark tester which has a gap of probably 1 inch. Check spark on all 6 cylinders. What is your compression reading? It should be about 140 to 170 psi. If you have good spark, good compression and it still won't start spraying carb cleaner in the intake (I never use starting fluid) your problem has to be one of 2 things.

1. Something else is getting into the cylinder to prevent the fuel from being ignited. This can happen if the upper intake leaks coolant into the air side of the plenum. This is a common failure, but if it leaks enough coolant into the engine to make it not start it normally hydra locks the engine.

2. Something is not happening the right time. If the mechanical timing is out compression will be off. I have never had the mechanical or electrical timing be off on one of these motors.
 
What does the rpm gauge do when you try to crank it? Does it bounce all over he place? If so your crank position sensor could have died. This is pretty common on the 3800's
 
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