Cranks but will not start.

Tiny
INDYSTEVE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2002 SATURN L200
  • 180,000 MILES
When I turn the key, to start the car it just cranks and nothing. The three lights I have on my dash board are: check engine, oil, battery. The Check engine was on there for an O2 senor that I haven't got replaced yet. The oil appears to be a little low, and I've check the battery and I have a full charge. How can I be sure if it is the ignition control module, alternator, or starter, or another issue?
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Tuesday, December 25th, 2018 AT 9:00 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,916 POSTS
Probably better off with a mechanic. "Just cranks and nothing". What does that mean? I assume you mean the engine cranks but doesn't start and run, but when I make assumptions I'm usually wrong.

There can be more than one diagnostic fault code stored so just because you already know of one for one of the oxygen sensors, they should still be read to see if there's other codes related to the problem.

The oil warning light is for low oil pressure, not level. There won't be any oil pressure if the engine doesn't run so that light had better be on. That is not a clue to this problem.

The generator recharges the battery and runs the car's electrical systems when the engine is running. It has nothing to do with a no-start condition.

You already said the engine cranks so why would you be questioning the starter?

Start by having the codes read to see if there's anything related to the problem you're having. Keep in mind those codes never say to replace parts. They only indicate the circuit or system that needs further diagnosis. It is often more cost-effective to visit a mechanic, especially for those of us who install numerous parts to try to solve a problem.
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Tuesday, December 25th, 2018 AT 9:00 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Just to add to this one does the gas gauge work fuel gauge work power door locks keyless entry work etc if you have thlse options?Also the security light on solid or flashing?I would also check for codes like cardiodoc said. Those cars have a high failure rate on there body control modules causing no starts. You could could also check for spark I have seen some bad crank sensors on those.
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Tuesday, December 25th, 2018 AT 9:00 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
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Thanks saturntech9. One thing I forgot to mention is all fault codes on all car brands have a list of things that must be met to set that code and one of those things is almost always that certain other codes are not already set. The Engine Computer compares sensor readings and operating conditions to each other to figure out when one of them is wrong. If there's a code set already, the computer knows it can't trust certain sensor readings so it won't run tests on other circuits that use the defective readings to compare to. That means you could get a code related to this problem only after you fix the cause of the oxygen sensor code and erase it.
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Tuesday, December 25th, 2018 AT 9:00 AM (Merged)
Tiny
INDYSTEVE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
After get a test code I Got P0300. I replaced all my spark plugs, and it still not firing up. I had the battery tested and charge when I got the spark plugs. Any other suggestions?
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Tuesday, December 25th, 2018 AT 9:00 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
You never answered the questions I asked you in my last post?Also have you checked for spark yet?
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Tuesday, December 25th, 2018 AT 9:00 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BRUSSEAU
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2002 SATURN L200
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 125,000 MILES
Sometimes my L200 cranks but won't start. Usually the "security" and/or "service" light(s) will be on. Sometimes if you take the key out, and wait 10 minutes & try again it will start fine. Sometimes you have to wait a day for it to start. Each time I've had a problem I took the car to Saturn of Vancouver. 1st they told me it was the ignition module so I had that replaced. The 2nd time I took it in they said it was the catalytic converter so I had it replaced. The 3rd time I took it in they said it was a body control module, so I had it replaced. Now it's doing it again. I'm starting to wonder if I'm paying to have things replaced that were not broken. Saturn said if it's a bad BCM they won't charge me, but if it's something else they I'll have to pay. Does this problem sound consistent with their solutions?
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Tuesday, December 25th, 2018 AT 9:00 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
I gather repair 1 & 2 did nothing and repair 3 the BCM did for sometime? So they will replace the BCM no charge? If I have the facts correct then let them replace BCM. Which would have been a better repair # 1
Hope this helps
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Tuesday, December 25th, 2018 AT 9:00 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BRUSSEAU
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
The problem is sporatic, so it appeared #1, #2 and #3 all worked for a day or two. The BCM was just replaced last week. The next day we started getting the security and engine lights again. Last night it wouldn't start. This morning it started. I'm not sure if the BCM really fixed anything or not. Saturn said maybe it's faulty. I am taking it in tomorrow for a diagnostic test. They wanted to charge me $96 if it turns out it's not related to the BCM but I said "no" so they are doing for free.
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Tuesday, December 25th, 2018 AT 9:00 AM (Merged)
Tiny
STRNDRVR
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
We have a 2001 L200 that has been having the EXACT same problems. We have had all of the same things fixed to no avail (ignition twice, BCM twice, and catalytic convertor). We finally gave it a shot and had an after market starter removed and didn't have any problems for almost a year.

About two weeks ago, it started happening again. Security and/or service lights come on. Cranks but doesn't start. I'm hearing typing this because it's doing it again! It has done this at least once a day for the last 4 days. I wish I could find a warning signal to know if the car is about to do this.

An added thing we've noticed this time around is that the "trunk open" light won't go off, so we can't use our key fob to lock the car doors. This is a new symptom.

If you find any help, PLEASE post it here and let me know.
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Tuesday, December 25th, 2018 AT 9:00 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BJMGE1017
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 SATURN L200
  • 4 CYL
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 87,000 MILES
I drove home from work last night with no indications of any problems. Parked my car in my garage and when I went to start it this morning it will not turn the engine over. All the electrical items, windows, radio, lights, work so it is not the battery. The engiine seems to vibrate to when I turn the key in the ignition.
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Tuesday, December 25th, 2018 AT 9:00 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
The amperage to work the lights ect. Is small comepared to the 175 to 225 amps needed to start the car. Get someone to jump start if it fires have batt and alt checked.
Good luck
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Tuesday, December 25th, 2018 AT 9:00 AM (Merged)
Tiny
IACAR03
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2002 SATURN L200
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 87,500 MILES
(2002 -Saturn-- l200 -) I have been having starting problems lately. When I go to start the car it doesn't start over. I have power, headlights come on (headlights are auto). I have tried to turn the starter over but I just get a chuga, chuga sound, let it sit five or ten minutes. Then it will turn right over and start. I have had the starter replaced, and alternator tested along with the battery. I also hear the fuel pump engage before starting. Once start the car I have not had any problems with it running. Any suggestions?

Not Happy, IA
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Tuesday, December 25th, 2018 AT 9:00 AM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
So it will turn over and not start first thing in the morning? Or it doesnt turn over? Your post confused me on what is happening. If it turns andwont start, have the fuel pressure tested, could bea pump bleeding down pressure overnight and it takes it a litte bit to build it back up.
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Tuesday, December 25th, 2018 AT 9:00 AM (Merged)
Tiny
IACAR03
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
It basicy will either start and turn over running or won't start at all.

If it starts it will usally start again after I turn it off. If it doesn't start it won't start after trying again for sometime. It usally happens on and off.

I had my starter replace (it was bad) and my alernator and battery tested.

Doesn't the fuel get pressured went the fuel pump turns on before the eninge starts?

Only ideas so far are: anti-theft system (passlock) security system and fuel pressure relay
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Tuesday, December 25th, 2018 AT 9:00 AM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
One more time. When you say "wont start" do you mean wont crank, or wont actually start? If the pump bleeds down, it will trap air in the lines and it takes a littel bit of cranking to build the pressure back up and drive the air out. Does the security light blink when it wont start?
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Tuesday, December 25th, 2018 AT 9:00 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JOE_NTRO
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I think he is having the same issue as mine. My car will crank over everything is normal. The security light does blink but the car will not fire. If I wait ten minutes the car will start fine. This can happen sitting overnight to go to the store and sitting for 5 minutes.
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Tuesday, December 25th, 2018 AT 9:00 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Have you done a relearn on the pass-key?
GM PASS LOCK RELEARN- Ignition to "run" position, try to start and let key return to "run" position
Approx ten minutes security light will go off
Turn key "off" and wait 5 seconds
Repeat 2 more times for a total of 3 relearns.
Turn key off, then start it
I'm pretty sur this is Jack's advice on this one?
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Tuesday, December 25th, 2018 AT 9:00 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CHAZ SOMERS
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
  • 2002 SATURN L200
  • 2.2L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 180,000 MILES
This is my daughters car. When trying to start car it cranks but doesn't fire. It did fire a couple of times but wouldn't fire up completely. Checked fuel pressure and that's good. Checked spark and had that. Changed out cam sensor no change. Changed spark plugs. Thinking ignition coil pack?
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Tuesday, December 25th, 2018 AT 9:00 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CHAZ SOMERS
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Swapped ignition/coil pack with another car, still no good. Also tried unplugging mass air flow sensor
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Tuesday, December 25th, 2018 AT 9:00 AM (Merged)

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