Car cranks but will not start

Tiny
CARRIE2154
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 CADILLAC DEVILLE
  • V8
  • 200,000 MILES
I drove car to store a mile away and when I came out it turns over but will not start.
Saturday, February 10th, 2018 AT 3:03 PM

14 Replies

Tiny
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If the security light is staying on, try a spare key or if you do not have one with you, try cleaning that key where the pellet is and try it again.
If the security light is not on, listen if the fuel pump runs for two seconds when you first turn the key to run, before you turn the key to start. If it does not run, see if the fuel pump fuse is blown and if not, try swapping in like a horn relay into the fuel pump relay spot and try again.
If that does not work or it is none of that, check all of the fuses.
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Saturday, February 10th, 2018 AT 5:30 PM
Tiny
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Thank you. I will try the fuse or fuses.
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Saturday, February 10th, 2018 AT 5:33 PM
Tiny
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If you are wanting to check the fuel pump fuse it is under the hood in this fuse box and the fuel pump fuse is shown at the bottom of this second diagram in that under hood fuse box.
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Saturday, February 10th, 2018 AT 5:56 PM
Tiny
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Thank you for your responds! Checked relay and fuse both good. Also the fuel pump comes on? Going to try replacing fuel filter? Any advice is helpful.
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Sunday, February 11th, 2018 AT 2:09 PM
Tiny
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A fuel filter usually will not keep the engine from starting and if it was running just fine before going to that store, then I know it is not a clogged fuel filter.
Did you check all of the fuses cause any blown fuse if important enough would cause it not to start, such as but not limited to fuel injector fuses, pcm fuses, etc.
If the security light is on and a spare key or cleaning that key did not help, then you have a security issue that is shutting the engine down. If so, you will have to have the trouble codes retrieved in order to find out why the security system is triggered.
Also, if the check engine light is remaining on or not coming on at all when you first turn the key to run, then the PCM fuse may be blown or if the check engine light is remaining on part bulb check or fifteen seconds or so, then again retrieving the trouble codes may give some clue as to why the engine will not start and run.
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Sunday, February 11th, 2018 AT 3:31 PM
Tiny
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Thank you. I will double check and recheck the fuses. The security light is not staying on and it is not giving me any lights or read outs that say anything is wrong. (Display is all digital)
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Sunday, February 11th, 2018 AT 5:35 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,643 POSTS
This is sounding like a fuel pump has gone out. Can you turn the ignition key to the on position without cranking the engine over can you hear the pump in the tank running?
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Wednesday, February 14th, 2018 AT 10:41 AM
Tiny
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Yes It sounds like the pump is coming on? But car also has the air shocks or bags as my friend called them lol that inflate when key is on at same point? But even the tow truck driver said he heard the fuel pump? Thank you for your advice ! Still trying to trouble shoot it !
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Wednesday, February 14th, 2018 AT 4:50 PM
Tiny
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Did you get it towed home or to a auto repair shop?
Do you know how to use a 12 volt test light, a voltmeter and do you happen to have any and know how to use starting fluid?
If so, see if the engine will start and run for a few seconds after spraying a few small shots of starting fluid directly into the throttle body then quickly making it to the ignition switch and crank the engine over.
If it starts and runs for a few seconds then the ignition system must be ok. If it doesn't start either check for a spark from a spark plug wire while cranking the engine over or if you are not comfortable doing that, at least check the ignition fuses and make sure the ignition coil/s has voltage to it when the key is on run/ engine off.
If the engine did start with the starting fluid and the fuel pump does run, most likely the fuel injectors are not working. It could be as simple as a blown fuel injector fuse or blown pcm fuse, a security issue shutting down the engine or possibly a faulty crankshaft position sensor and if so there should be a trouble code for it stored in the computer memory, for which can be retrieved with a scan tool or a code reader.
If you have a voltmeter or at least a 12 volt test light, check if the fuel injectors are getting voltage with the key on run/engine off.
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Wednesday, February 14th, 2018 AT 5:33 PM
Tiny
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It was towed to my house. I am going to try the starter fluid today. Will try everything you suggested. Have a nieghbor that has a code reader he is gonna try that this weekend if I don't get it going. Thank you for the advice. I can trouble shoot and work on the older cars some what but all this new electronics stamps me? I got this car cause I thought would be better for me I take of my elderly parents so lots of doctors and on a fixed income. But should have stayed with older one lol.
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Thursday, February 15th, 2018 AT 8:26 AM
Tiny
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Ok, let us know the results of your tests.
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Thursday, February 15th, 2018 AT 8:38 AM
Tiny
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I will. Thank you all very much
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Thursday, February 15th, 2018 AT 9:11 AM
Tiny
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Thank you all for your help ! I got the car started ! Went to jump it cause all the trying different things ran it Down and the cables were very loose tighten them and used jump box and started right up ! Tow truck driver had wrench out and said he tightened them and it would not start when he tried to jump it so had thought we ruled it out? Just glad it is running!
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Thursday, February 15th, 2018 AT 12:30 PM
Tiny
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Glad to hear.
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Thursday, February 15th, 2018 AT 12:40 PM

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