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My engine cranks but will not start up?

Tiny
DONNA SAWITSKI
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 1,759,842 MILES
I'm changed the battery, I changed the starter, I changed the starter relay, I changed the ignition switch and programmed it. It ran for a couple of days and now it's back to square one; it won't start. It's cranking over but it always doing is going. I check my battery I have a battery charger it's saying it's fully charged. So what could it be?
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Wednesday, November 18th, 2020 AT 2:14 PM

37 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good evening,

If it is cranking over, you will need to check for fuel pressure and for spark.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

A fuel pressure test needs to be done to verify the fuel pump is working. Can you hear it run for 2 seconds with the key on?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

When you crank it over, do you see an RPM reading on the tach inside the car? That will tell me if the crank sensor is working.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-an-ignition-system

Is the check engine light on? If it is, do you have a code reader to check the codes?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Roy
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Wednesday, November 18th, 2020 AT 3:21 PM
Tiny
BWITTNER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 80,000 MILES
Hi,

I have a 2005 Chevy Malibu and I am stumped, becasue the engine won't start. The fuel pump is kicking on and I hooked a pressure tester to it and it shot fuel everywhere (Tester was missing an o-ring). So I checked for spark and it was getting spark at the coils. So I changed the plugs. When I pulled the plugs they were drenched with fuel and the insulators were burnt, and yet after replacing the car still won't start. There are no codes. I have called on a fuel pressure regulator and the GM dealer says it must be combined with another component because they don't list one. Help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 3:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,709 POSTS
Okay, you have proven that there is fuel pressure. If there is enough, we don't know because of the o-ring problem. However, If the plugs were wet, That tells us it was getting gas. Did the new plugs do the same thing? If so, I want you to try something. Remove the fuel pump relay from the power distribution box under the hood so the pump doesn't work. Try to see if it will start. Also, if it doesn't, see if it will start with starting fluid. If it doesn't, recheck for spark. It it has it, then you either have a compression issue or a timing issue.

Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 3:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LOGAN B
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 3.5L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 119,000 MILES
I rebuilt the engine in my car and reinstalled it. Now that it is all back together and in the car, I cannot get it cranked. The motor turns over but will not fire up. Firing order and timing are all accurate but it does seem to have some backfire when turning over. Any suggestions help me get it cranked.
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 3:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,513 POSTS
Hello,

When the engine is turning over does it sound normal? Can you please shoot a quick video with your phone so we can see what's going on, that would be great. You can upload it here with your response. Also does the engine have spark? When you turn the key to the on position without cranking the engine over can you hear the fuel pump run in the tank for 5 seconds?

This guide can help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 3:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ARCHER31763
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 3.5L
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 220,000 MILES
I crank it and it cuts back off. Is there a fuel filter outside the gas tank.
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 3:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,513 POSTS
Hello,

No there is no external fuel filter it sounds like the fuel pump is out. I would start by checking the fuel pressure.

Here are a couple of guides that should help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

and if bad

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-an-electric-fuel-pump

This guide should help as well.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Please let us know what happens, we are interested to see what it is.

Cheers, Ken
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 3:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SHOLLANDER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 3.5L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 106,000 MILES
Have to push the gas pedal once before the car will start. It runs with no problems after that. I was told to change fuel filter but not sure. Any help.
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 3:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,709 POSTS
Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros. Com.

Based on your description, the first thing I would suspect is the idle air control valve (IAC). The IAC allows air to enter the engine at a metered amount. On fuel injected cars, when your foot is off the throttle, the throttle plate closes completely. This would cause the engine to stall. That is where the IAC comes into play. It is a small component located on the throttle body of the vehicle. Often times, carbon from the engine or corrosion begin to block the air passage for the IAC or the pintle valve on the IAC sticks and does not allow air to enter the engine. When you touch the throttle, you open it allowing air to enter.

I have attached a picture if the IAC for you to see. It is mounted on the throttle body. I would remove it and inspect it and where it mounts to make sure it is clean.

Let me know if this helps.

Take care,
Joe
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 3:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ERICLEMASTER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 83,000 MILES
The car will crank, but won't start every time, and sometimes when it does-- in the middle of driving-- it stops and the steering wheel and breaks lock up: the car looses power.

At first, the anti-theft light came on, so we thought it was the key switch. We replace the key switch cylinder and this didn't fix the problem, but the light does not come on anymore.

We then thought it might be the fuel pump relay. We replaced that AND the fuel filter, and that didn't work.

What could be the problem and what should we get and have repaired to fix it?
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 3:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi EricLeMaster,

Thank you for the donationa and sorry for the delay in replying.

I have checked through the TSB and recalls and did not find any mention of such a problem so it should be something that is isolated.

The first thing to do is to check for trouble codes. Most parts outlets provides the scanning either free or for a nimonal fee. Get it scanned and see if any codes are found.

The next is to test for sparks when engine could not start. This will let us know if it is electrical.

Test injector power supply with a noid light attached to any of the injector wire harness and crank engine. It should blink. This would confirm injector pulsing.

Test the fuel pressure to confirm the fuel pump and regulator are working correctly.

Above need to be verified to diagnose the problem.
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 3:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ERICLEMASTER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thanks! It was the ignition switch causing problems, so it was electrical. As it appears, many on the Malibu forum have had the same problem! Hope this helps them some.
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 3:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Thank you for the input. It is much appreciated and would be of help to other members.

Have a great weekend.
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 3:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ROBERTSCHNITKER
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 131,000 MILES
I have a 2004 Chevrolet classic and it will not start in hot weather or if it does it will sometimes die but only happens in hot weather. I have replaced the fuel pump, fuel pressure regulator, fuel relay, spark plugs and fuel filter have also cut the wire to security system so it cant turn of the fuel pump. When it is cold it will start right up, what could it be now?
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 3:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,709 POSTS
When it doesn't start, check to see if there is fuel and spark to the engine. One will be missing. From there, you will know which circuit is the problem.
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 3:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ROBERTSCHNITKER
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
There is a spark but sometimes I here noises fom where the relays areand then thats when it wont start and when this happens the fuel pump also does not prime
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 3:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,709 POSTS
Check ASD relay.
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 3:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDJACKSON1
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 34,000 MILES
I have a malibu classic cranks won't start. No spark no fuel. Fuel filter changed, spark plugs changed. All fluids full. Is there a computer thingy stopping from starting? Where? No trouble codes.
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 5:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,123 POSTS
It sounds like a computer problem or wiring problem.

Sometimes a tap test on the computer can jar it into working or change symptoms anyways.

You can see if there are any software upgrades for the computer here:

#7 is the computer


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/30961_mal_1.jpg

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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 5:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CHYBUGGS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU
Hi, I have an 04 classic and the car tries to start will kick over and soon as it engages it dies. We have not had problems with this other then the normal. I was told it was possibly the fuel pump. It does have pressure in the line but was told it might not be enough pressure. How can I check this to know for sure if its the pump.
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 5:25 PM (Merged)

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