Car stalled, wont start
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Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Pittsburgh/Butler PA
Car stalled, wont start
My car stalled in traffic today after bucking a few times. I could not get it started. I got it towed home. There is NO codes at all. It cranks, just doesn't turn over, I know it isnt the starter. If I let it sit a while sometimes I can get it to start for a whole 5 sec. then it shuts off again. There is fuel in the rails but I am not sure of the pressure. If the fuel pump was bad would this mean there is no fuel in the rails? I really am lost here. Could it be the crank sensor?
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
Check the fuses to the fuel pump and listen to it when you first turn the key on to hear if it runs. Since you have no codes, I'm thinking you may have the ignition switch itself issues but. You may need to put a fuel pressure guage on the rail and see what you have while cranking the engine. Are there any other flaky indictations such as messed up IP Cluster indications? On the rear of the driver's side head are two ground connections there and you want to insure they are on there tight....they ground the coil packs. There are lots of other possibilities to suggest but start with those. Someone else will chime in for further help.
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Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Pittsburgh/Butler PA
I checked the ground. Everything is good there. So I just swapped out the crank sensor and the car starts but sounds absolutely terrible. It backfires like crazy. Any idea what this is? I at least got it to start but I dont know if I should run it with it sounding this loud and backfiring like this??
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
It means all of the cylinders are all mis-firing. Are you sure those two grounds on the rear of the driver's side head, are tight? If they are, then I'm thinking you might have suffered a broken valve spring. You can pull the valve covers off or do a compression test. Someone else might have other things you can look at too.
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From: Dyer, IN
It means all of the cylinders are all mis-firing. Are you sure those two grounds on the rear of the driver's side head, are tight? If they are, then I'm thinking you might have suffered a broken valve spring. You can pull the valve covers off or do a compression test. Someone else might have other things you can look at too.
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Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Pittsburgh/Butler PA
So the ground on the back of the head seemed tight. i wanted to be sure. I pulled the intake manifold and unscrewed the ground then retightened it. The car now fires right up and seems to be running normal. I let it idle for a good half hour with no issues. I am guessing this was it? So why could I not get it started at all until I replaced the crank sensor? Interesting...
Well I am a little afraid to take it for a drive as I dont want to get towed again. I guess I will let it idle a while again and give it a shot.
Oh yea and my fuel pressure was about 60psi. Thanks for all the help, it is very much appreciated!
Well I am a little afraid to take it for a drive as I dont want to get towed again. I guess I will let it idle a while again and give it a shot.
Oh yea and my fuel pressure was about 60psi. Thanks for all the help, it is very much appreciated!
Last edited by Sidieux; Apr 29, 2011 at 08:54 AM.
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
Maybe those grounds were just a hair lose, therefore when you messed with things, it happened to move and connect. Keep checking for codes. If it fires up and runs smoothly now, you can obviously rule out the valve spring possibilty that I suggested.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,420
Likes: 1,146
From: Dyer, IN
So the ground on the back of the head seemed tight. i wanted to be sure. I pulled the intake manifold and unscrewed the ground then retightened it. The car now fires right up and seems to be running normal. I let it idle for a good half hour with no issues. I am guessing this was it? So why could I not get it started at all until I replaced the crank sensor? Interesting...
Well I am a little afraid to take it for a drive as I dont want to get towed again. I guess I will let it idle a while again and give it a shot.
Oh yea and my fuel pressure was about 60psi. Thanks for all the help, it is very much appreciated!
Well I am a little afraid to take it for a drive as I dont want to get towed again. I guess I will let it idle a while again and give it a shot.
Oh yea and my fuel pressure was about 60psi. Thanks for all the help, it is very much appreciated!
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 95
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From: Pittsburgh/Butler PA
