Car won't start...help!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 680
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From: Hurricane West Virginia
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Car won't start...help!
The car has been sitting for about a week. Went to take it out today and it wouldn't start :cuss It cranks fine...just won't fire. Any suggestions??? :confused:
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Re: Car won't start...help! (Yellow Fever)
Your engine needs spark (and at the right time), fuel, and air in order to start and run. Use your timing light , or pull a plug wire and see if it sparks when held close to ground during cranking. If you have spark, then determine if you have fuel by putting a fuel pressure gauge on the shrader valve at the rear of the fuel rail. Disconnect the flex hose from the air filter to the MAF so you know air will not be blocked. Good luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,308
Likes: 1
From: Portsmouth VA
Re: Car won't start...help! (Yellow Fever)
i'll tell you how to fix it if you tell me how you got that yellow dash... ok, seriously, do you have a code reader? turn the switch on and see if the service engine soon light comes on... if so, hook up your code reader ($30 at local auto parts store) and see if you get any codes... should lead you in the right direction... and the air, fuel, spark suggestion is great too... gives you a lead in the right direction.
could be your TPS (another $30), try holding gas to the floor while cranking... this might get it to start if TPS is going bad, but probably will idle bad and run like crap (should get code 21 or 22 if TPS is bad though)
and, BTW, where DID you get that yellow dash????
could be your TPS (another $30), try holding gas to the floor while cranking... this might get it to start if TPS is going bad, but probably will idle bad and run like crap (should get code 21 or 22 if TPS is bad though)
and, BTW, where DID you get that yellow dash????
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 680
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From: Hurricane West Virginia
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Re: Car won't start...help! (SonnyinVA)
Thanks for the help guys. I regret that I don't have either a timing light, fuel pressure gauge or code reader. :rolleyes: I know, I know...what kind of car guy am I if I don't have that stuff. :crazy:
SonnyinVA - will a $30 code reader work on my 96? I thought only the real expensive things worked on OBD-III. Yes the service engine soon light comes on. TPS = throttle position sensor??
SonnyinVA - will a $30 code reader work on my 96? I thought only the real expensive things worked on OBD-III. Yes the service engine soon light comes on. TPS = throttle position sensor??
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 680
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From: Hurricane West Virginia
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Cruise-In IV Veteran
Re: Car won't start...help! (SonnyinVA)
Oh, I almost forgot...I got the yellow dash by painting it. It was a PITA, but well worth it. :D
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,308
Likes: 1
From: Portsmouth VA
Re: Car won't start...help! (Yellow Fever)
yes, TPS= throttle position sensor... my scanner says good thru 93, but there might be another one for your year model, i don't know... i'm sure somebody here can tell ya.... try holding the throttle all the way down while turning the engine over and see if it'll start, if so... probably low TPS voltage.
also, you can check for spark just by puling off a plug wire (drivers side are easier to get to on my car) and sticking the pointy end of a key into the sparkplug boot. then while your lovely assistant turns the car over, hold the key close to a good metal ground like the suspension or something and see if you get a spark (you may want to hold the plug wire with some rubber handeled pliers). if you do , that rules out the spark side of it... and i wouldn't bother pulling off the accordian intake piece, i doubt it's plugged up unless you've done a few laps around the tennis court lately sucking up tennis *****... lol fuel pump going bad usually is a progressive problem... have you noticed poor performance or hard to start? has the motor been cutting out on you? don't know what else to suggest... my money's on the TPS... or that crazy opti-spark on your newer cars... hope this helps a little...
also, you can check for spark just by puling off a plug wire (drivers side are easier to get to on my car) and sticking the pointy end of a key into the sparkplug boot. then while your lovely assistant turns the car over, hold the key close to a good metal ground like the suspension or something and see if you get a spark (you may want to hold the plug wire with some rubber handeled pliers). if you do , that rules out the spark side of it... and i wouldn't bother pulling off the accordian intake piece, i doubt it's plugged up unless you've done a few laps around the tennis court lately sucking up tennis *****... lol fuel pump going bad usually is a progressive problem... have you noticed poor performance or hard to start? has the motor been cutting out on you? don't know what else to suggest... my money's on the TPS... or that crazy opti-spark on your newer cars... hope this helps a little...
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,212
Likes: 10
From: Sun City West Az
Re: Car won't start...help! (Sharky Guam)
You need a OBD II code reader. Unless your made of $ and your in love with your GM dlr, I would buy some necessary tools. IE: code scanner and fuel pressure guage. Spend some $ on tools rather than supporting the dealership at $75. hr. It would sure help lead you in a direction...like now......since you're having problems. Just a suggestion. :)
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