Help a girl out! Car won't start!

[Janah Strickland Yarrell]

I bought a 1997 Grand Prix GTP about a month ago. The car had 109,000. 2 days ago, it cut off while I was driving it, then it crunk right back up. Yesterday, it did it twice and the check engine light came on. Today, it won't crank at all. I was told by the previous owner that he had replaced the plugs and wires, coil packs, fuel filter and the lower manifold gasket.

 

[Fivefingerdeathpunch]

So turns over but wont fire and run?

Do you have any way to get the code for the check engine light?

And I have a strong hunch on the crank sensor being bad, because its a well known cause of the car stalling at random while driving.

 

[Janah Strickland Yarrell]

Exactly, it turns, but just won't fire. With it being stuck at my house, I have no way of getting it anywhere to get the code.

 

[copgtp]

Did you happen to see if the tachometer did anything funny right before the car shut off? My first guess is a cam or crank sensor issue.

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[Sven the Sexman]

Sounds like a crankshaft position sensor to me. You're probably going to have to get it towed unless you know someone who can scan it.

 

[Janah Strickland Yarrell]

Yes, the tachometer completely stops working

 

[MoarkatsINmuhtrailer]

yeahhh, it be the ckps

 

[txslow6]

Do you hear the fuel pump priming when the car is turned to the on position?

 

[Janah Strickland Yarrell]

I did not pay attention to the fuel pump, I will listen for that when i get home.

 

[copgtp]

Yes, the tachometer completely stops working

Bingo. Crankshaft position sensor is your problem. Also make sure to inspect the wore harness that goes to it. Sometimes it gets loose and hits the serpentine belt.

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[GTP in RTP]

Post what city you are in and maybe someone local will scan it for you.

 

[BillBoost37]

Guys..keep in mind the question wasn't asked if the tach drops to zero after the car stalls or before.

If it drops to zero when the car stalls, that's normal and expected for a non running engine. If you see it act funky or hit zero with it running, that is typically the crank sensor.

 

[copgtp]

Guys..keep in mind the question wasn't asked if the tach drops to zero after the car stalls or before.

If it drops to zero when the car stalls, that's normal and expected for a non running engine. If you see it act funky or hit zero with it running, that is typically the crank sensor.

Well, I assumed the op wasn't a complete idiot, and would understand that the tach will drop to 0 if the engine is not running.......

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[BillBoost37]

You and I both know when typing.. we can lose a lot of info unless it's clearly stated.

 

[Janah Strickland Yarrell]

Thanks, you guys are the best! After putting it on the computer, it was the crankshaft position sensor! My car is back to normal! I appreciate all your responses. I'm sure I will be needing y'all again!

 

[Sven the Sexman]

Glad you got it fixed. We're here to help whenever needed.