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Crank no start

Tiny
JOELB0501
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 BUICK SKYLARK
  • 3.1L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 184,000 MILES
Car just stopped running will not restart. Getting spark and fuel. I have replaced every sensor, plugs, wires, ignition lock cylinder, coil pack and ignition module and ignition switch. It only even tries to start with the gas pedal in the wot position. But even then it just sputters a few seconds and shuts off.
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Sunday, January 21st, 2018 AT 4:13 AM

18 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good morning.

The first thing I would do is to do a compression test. Make sure the timing chain has not slipped.

Roy
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Sunday, January 21st, 2018 AT 4:30 AM
Tiny
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,853 POSTS
Are you sure you have fuel injector action because some people believe just because they have fuel pressure they have fuel.
Try a couple of shots of starting fluid into the throttle body, if it starts and runs for a few seconds with starting fluid, then the ignition is fine then I would suspect either the fuel injector fuse is blown, the ECM fuse is blown or a problem with the crankshaft position sensor.
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Sunday, January 21st, 2018 AT 6:03 AM
Tiny
JOELB0501
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
No effect with the starting fluid. I will try and take a video tomorrow of it cranking.
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Sunday, January 21st, 2018 AT 4:55 PM
Tiny
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,853 POSTS
If the starter cranks the engine over faster than normal, like it has lost all compression, then perhaps Roy is correct.
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Sunday, January 21st, 2018 AT 4:58 PM
Tiny
JOELB0501
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Crankshaft camshaft IAC, TPS, coil pack, ignition module, ignition lock cylinder, MAF sensors, O2 sensors.
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Sunday, January 21st, 2018 AT 4:59 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Yep, do the compression test and report back to us.

Roy
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Sunday, January 21st, 2018 AT 5:12 PM
Tiny
JOELB0501
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Raining so cannot get out to check compression, but I was thinking about taking off the valve cover and cranking the engine seeing if there is movement. I am leaning towards timing chain. Am I off track?
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Monday, January 22nd, 2018 AT 6:40 AM
Tiny
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,853 POSTS
If you have a compression tester it would be a lot faster to at least check one cylinder, than it would be to remove the valve cover, but nonetheless either should work. Although just removing the valve cover will just tell you if the timing chain broke, not just skipped a tooth.
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Monday, January 22nd, 2018 AT 6:43 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
I am as well. Removing the valve cover will not tell you anything except if the chain is not broke. You can be out of time and still have the valves moving.

Roy
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Monday, January 22nd, 2018 AT 6:43 AM
Tiny
JOELB0501
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
I hope somebody on here is going to tell me if I'm wrong. But I went ahead and took my valve cover off and turn the engine over and only the first rocker closest to the camshaft is moving the rest or not. I'm thinking broken cam? If so time for the junkyard
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Thursday, January 25th, 2018 AT 1:26 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Yes, it is a broken camshaft. You have a hard decision to make.

Roy
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Thursday, January 25th, 2018 AT 1:29 PM
Tiny
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,853 POSTS
I believe you are correct.
Why the junk yard though?
Imagine the labor involved from them to remove it.
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Thursday, January 25th, 2018 AT 1:30 PM
Tiny
JOELB0501
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
As in selling it to a junkyard. Don't I have to pull the engine just to replace a camshaft? Is it really worth it?
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Friday, January 26th, 2018 AT 5:40 AM
Tiny
JOELB0501
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
If I can replace it without having to pull the engine out of the car I'm willing to try to do it. But I just don't have the equipment or facilities to do it if I have to pull the engine
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Friday, January 26th, 2018 AT 5:43 AM
Tiny
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
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You are correct and the labor time estimates about 9.6 hours to remove and replace the engine.
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Friday, January 26th, 2018 AT 6:43 AM
Tiny
JOELB0501
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
I just wanted to thank everybody that have replied to me and giving me suggestions who are a great help. Unfortunately I have reached the end of my mechanical experience know how and motivation. R.I.P Irene
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Friday, January 26th, 2018 AT 8:14 AM
Tiny
JOELB0501
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Why can I not take the camshaft out thru the wheel well
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Saturday, January 27th, 2018 AT 8:43 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,420 POSTS
You can if it will fit all cars are a little different. I never saw the video you made did it not upload?

Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.

Cheers, Ken
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Monday, January 29th, 2018 AT 11:48 AM

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