Car will crank but not start

Tiny
JJORDAN0711
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE
  • 2.1L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
My car will turn over like normal but will not start. Just replaced battery. Old battery seemed to be drained after a cold snap we just had here. Car cranked, started and ran fine the day before the cold weather. Cooling system has antifreeze in it. Engine just spins but will not start. Any advice?
Wednesday, January 31st, 2018 AT 9:57 AM

12 Replies

Tiny
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • MECHANIC
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Can you hear the fuel pump run for about two seconds once you first turn the key to run, before you turn the key to start?
If not is there any security or theft light remaining on past bulb check, about fifteen seconds or so or is the security light flashing?
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Wednesday, January 31st, 2018 AT 11:06 AM
Tiny
JJORDAN0711
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Security light stays on with the key in the on position. Goes off when key is removed.
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Wednesday, January 31st, 2018 AT 11:24 AM
Tiny
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Does the security light go out with the key in the ignition after fofteen seconds or so?
Can you hear the fuel pump run for about two seconds once you first turn the key to run, before you turn the key to start?
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Wednesday, January 31st, 2018 AT 11:29 AM
Tiny
JJORDAN0711
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I can hear the fuel pump running. Security light comes on with key in the on position. Goes out when key is removed.
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Wednesday, January 31st, 2018 AT 11:34 AM
Tiny
JJORDAN0711
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The security light only comes on when they key is turned to on. Does not come on with just the key in off position.
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Wednesday, January 31st, 2018 AT 11:36 AM
Tiny
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Does the security light ever go out with the key on the run position?
Is there any check engine light remaining on also?
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Wednesday, January 31st, 2018 AT 11:39 AM
Tiny
JJORDAN0711
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When I am trying to crank the car all dash lights go off.
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Wednesday, January 31st, 2018 AT 11:41 AM
Tiny
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Okay, you have a few choices, if you have a scan tool or code reader see if you have any codes stored, especially any referring to the crankshaft position sensor cause it could prevent it from starting if it was bad.
Or you could see if the engine will start and run for a few seconds after spraying a few small shots of starting fluid into the throttle body to rule out any fuel system problem. So if it does start and run for a few seconds, then you know it has spark. Which brings me to the last, checking for a spark on at least one cylinder while cranking over the engine, plus if you have a tachometer on the instrument cluster if it does not even show a cranking rpm of around 100 rpm. Then you can almost bet you have a faulty crankshaft position sensor and/or wiring to/from it.
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Wednesday, January 31st, 2018 AT 11:49 AM
Tiny
JJORDAN0711
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Tachometer needle does not move as you can see from short video.
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Wednesday, January 31st, 2018 AT 12:05 PM
Tiny
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You may want to start to suspect a faulty crankshaft position sensor, but you should still try to retrieve any codes. Do you have or can you borrow a scan tool or code reader?
If you want to just try replacing the crankshaft position sensor, I could get you some instructions but I only see either a 3.5 or 3.8 engine, not a 2.1. If the eighth digit of the VIN number is an H, it is the 3.5 and if it is a K, it is the 3.8.
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Wednesday, January 31st, 2018 AT 12:14 PM
Tiny
JJORDAN0711
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Yes I have someone coming over tomorrow who has one. I will post what I find out. Thank you
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Wednesday, January 31st, 2018 AT 12:16 PM
Tiny
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Okay, and post back the eighth digit of the VIN number.
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Wednesday, January 31st, 2018 AT 12:18 PM

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