Why is a Car cranking but not starting?

Answer 1

Fuel pump gone bad? Relay stuck? Ignition module fried? Only two things will keep an engine from starting. Lack of fuel or lack of spark. The first step is to determine if spark is present by detaching a plug wire and carefully inserting a screwdriver or the like into the end and placing close enough to the engine block (metal) without touching it (1 inch or less) for a spark to jump. Have someone crank the vehicle and look for spark. If no spark then you have found the culprit. Bad coil or ignition module. CAUTION! You can get quite a jolt if you handle the wire while the car is being cranked. If you have spark then you need to determine if you have a working fuel pump. One method is to have someone turn the key from the off position to the run position (the position where the engine runs {just before the crank position}) a few times while you listen as closely to the fuel tank as you can get. You will hear the buzzing of the fuel pump if it is functioning. The other method is to locate the fuel line pressure hookup (it will be on the fuel rail. a valve not unlike a tire valve only larger) and depress the valve stem. It WILL SHOOT FUEL AT YOU. SO BE CAREFUL. Once you have done this cycle the key a few times and then depress the valve again. If it spits at you again the pump is circulating fuel, if not then the pump is not functioning. Y-THINK-Y Well i would check the spark at the plug first. You have to eliminate spark and fuel problems. If you turn the key you should hear you fuel pump engage. That doesn't necessarily mean that it's working. Once you know that the fuel is getting to the motor there are 3 things that I would check. 1. Crankshaft sensor (located on the transmission housing) 2. Camshaft indicator (located on the side of the block) 3. Ignition coil. (where all the plugs come from) The first two provide information to the PCM and if it doesn't get it the van will not start. It would help if I knew what year and model'engine size ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I certainly agree that these other sensors can be the cause but unfortunately to determine the source of problem beyond the simple spark or fuel tests it is best to have a diagnostic computer because there is so many little telemetric devices that will effect the computer that one could spend many, many hours and dollars replacing them one-by-one. This is when a pro should come into the picture. POST: It is my experience that an engine will not 'crank' at all if the crank sensor is bad. Y-THINK-Y

Answer 2

I am the one that asked the question, but now the truck will start. After changing oil and filter, which it needed anyway.(I change oil and filter about every 5000 mi., and rotate tires about every 10,000 mi.), checked air filter, checked fuel cut-off switch again.(jabbed at it this time with my thumb to make sure it was set), I found out my emergency brake has been on and forgot.(I remember I must have driven a few miles with it set.). After doing all this It started. After it started, I went ahead and put some Gumout (injector cleaner) in the tank with it a little more than 3/4 full. Went to the grocery, started again and finally home. I don't know if the truck has oil sensors in it and I'm not exactly sure it was the cut-off switch, because the only reason the fuel could have been cut off is that the emergency break was on. If anyone has any more ideas why this happened, I'm sure it would be a great help to others.

Answer 3

It either has no fuel going into the cylinders (no pressure from fuel pump), no spark, or depending on it's age and if it sounds like it has some life in the motor, bad timing chain.

I had a similar issue with my 1992 B250. After replacing hundreds of dollars worth of parts, I found the problem was a blown fuse link(white 22ga wire) right next to the power brake booster. Bought some wire and rosin core solder at Radio Shack for $11.00 total, replaced the link and it fired right up. Google images has a pic of the Haynes manual page on repairing fusible links on Dodge vans. Just as a heads up, the insulation was intact on my broken fuse link, which caused me to overlook it initially, but I went through them all and gave them a tug and the bad one just stretched like a rubber band.

Answer 4

Turning over indicates the starter is working. The voltage from the battery should be around 9 volts while cranking. If so, check spark plugs for spark. And spray quick start fluid into the intake manifold. If still no run get back to me.

Answer 5

Low fuel pressure, out of fuel, broken timing belt/chain, crank/cam sensor malfunction, PCM malfunction, etc

You need to check fuel pressure and check the computer for codes to start with.

Answer 6

ask Dr.Z .com

It won't start because it is a 10 year old Chrysler. I mean, really. I have one. You need to just drive it into the country and leave it somewhere.

Answer 7

dead battery, no spark / bad coil, bad plugs bad wires. no fuel / bad fuel pump / fuel rail.

Answer 8

There can be several causes that your Chrysler Town and Country won't start. The most common cause of a vehicle not starting is a dead battery.