Crank Issue
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 182
Likes: 1
From: Greenville SC
When I hear "cranking" I think of the starter actually spinning. If that's the case, and the engine is not firing, then I would assume that the starter is OK and your problem is elsewhere. If, however, you mean that your starter is not functioning, then that isolates the problem to somewhere within the starting circuit. Can you clarify?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 192
Likes: 2
From: Columbia SC
yeah the engine turns but I'll turn the key for about 5 seconds...and the engine won't fully start. I'll repeat that process about 3 times before it finally fully starts. After that it usually starts fairly easily.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,842
Likes: 285
From: Palmdale CA
If the engine is cranking (turning) through the entire time you're pushing the key, then it's going to be a fuel problem. Put a fuel pressure regulator on it and you should get 35 pounds within a couple of seconds. Often, the fuel pressure regulator will go bad (it's right underneath the intake plenum on the passenger side), allowing the fuel to drain back towards the tank. So when you start it, it takes a five or ten seconds for the fuel system to fully pressurize from the tank.
Also, there's a cold start injector on the driver's side that injects a shot of fuel into the intake when it's cold, but first, check the fuel pressure.
Also, there's a cold start injector on the driver's side that injects a shot of fuel into the intake when it's cold, but first, check the fuel pressure.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
In all likelihood, your fuel pump relay is bad. GM engineers provided a second path to energize the fuel pump in the event of relay failure.....the oil pressure switch. Once oil pressure hits about 4 psi, the switch closes, and the fuel pump is energized.
Do you hear a 2 second fuel pump prime when you turn the key on? If not, replace your fuel pump relay and it will start much faster.
Do you hear a 2 second fuel pump prime when you turn the key on? If not, replace your fuel pump relay and it will start much faster.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
Turn off the radio and A/C and listen for the fuel pump at key on. It should run for 2 seconds. It might help to have somebody else turn on the key and for you to listen at the tank for the pump sound.
Pull off the vacuum line on the fuel pressure regulator to see if there's fuel in it.
Report back to us with the results of the above two tests and we can go on from there.
The best troubleshooting tool for fuel problems is a fuel pressure gauge. About $40-$50. An excellent investment if you want to work on your car.
Pull off the vacuum line on the fuel pressure regulator to see if there's fuel in it.
Report back to us with the results of the above two tests and we can go on from there.
The best troubleshooting tool for fuel problems is a fuel pressure gauge. About $40-$50. An excellent investment if you want to work on your car.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
Turn off the radio and A/C and listen for the fuel pump at key on. It should run for 2 seconds. It might help to have somebody else turn on the key and for you to listen at the tank for the pump sound.
Pull off the vacuum line on the fuel pressure regulator to see if there's fuel in it.
Report back to us with the results of the above two tests and we can go on from there.
The best troubleshooting tool for fuel problems is a fuel pressure gauge. About $40-$50. An excellent investment if you want to work on your car.
Pull off the vacuum line on the fuel pressure regulator to see if there's fuel in it.
Report back to us with the results of the above two tests and we can go on from there.
The best troubleshooting tool for fuel problems is a fuel pressure gauge. About $40-$50. An excellent investment if you want to work on your car.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
From: Macedon (near Rochester) NY
Don't confuse the sound of the abs doing it's test with the sound of the fuel pump. Took me a while to learn that.
There are two pins you can jump on the obd connector to enable the pump relay, but I dont remember which.
There are two pins you can jump on the obd connector to enable the pump relay, but I dont remember which.
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