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Engine will crank but will not start up?

Tiny
LOSSPREVENTOR
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 3.1L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 218,000 MILES
I have replaced the starter after it failed and then the alternator and then all cool packs and wires. The car started running real rough and now will not start at all. The code reads multiple misfires and that is it. I hooked up a fuel pressure gauge which read 0 so there was no fuel going to the fuel rail. The fuel pump is humming when the key is turned to the on position so it is working. The theft light is not on on the dash. Can you think of any reason why the car will not start or have had getting to the fuel rail? Any help would be great I have already put more money than it is worth for nothing because it still will not start. Please help
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Monday, November 13th, 2017 AT 8:26 PM

28 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
This sounds like a fuel pump or the crankshaft angle sensor has gone out. 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?

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

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Tuesday, November 14th, 2017 AT 7:02 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,573 POSTS
There is the hose from the pump to the exterior of the pump module that cracks inside the tank. Pump runs but no pressure because it is spraying into the tank.
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Wednesday, November 15th, 2017 AT 8:02 PM
Tiny
MALO
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 155,000 MILES
Chevy Malibu won't start. Acts like it is not getting fuel. Doesn't even partially fire. The battery turns over great, but acts like it's not getting any fuel.
This is a first time event. We tried letting it sit for 20 min. But got the same results. Can you help?
Thanks,
Matt
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 5:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
When you turn the key on, no crank, is the theft lite flashing? If it is, wait and see if the lite goes off, then try to start.
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 5:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
THEWORMINATOR
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Just had this problem with my 2000 malibu. I was driving home and the car just shut off and acted like it was out of gas. I had to replace the fuel pump. Had this problem before and was able to fix it with replacing the fuel filter this time however replacing the fuel filter didn't work and I had to pay a mechanic. Hope this helps.
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 5:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TOMSHANTY
  • MEMBER
  • 34 POSTS
  • 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU
This has happened twice with similar symptoms.

The first time this happened, I checked the fuel pump relay and found some white corrosion. When I replaced the relay, it started right up.

The second time this happened, I checked the fuel pump relay and found the same corrosion. When I replace the relay again, it did not start. And I can hear the fuel pump turn on when I turn on the ignition. I tried replacing the fuel filter and nothing.

Is it possible for the fuel pump to be bad even if I can hear it turn on? Any other ideas? Thanks.
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 5:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DRCRANKNWRENCH
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,380 POSTS
Yes the pump can be bad. Test the fuel pressure. You can go to any Advanance Auto or Auto Zone to get the proper test kit which they will loan to you.
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 5:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
Make sure you are testing that fuel pressure DURING THE FAILURE. The test will be useless any other time.
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 5:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JONATHANBURL
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 154,000 MILES
Drove to work yesterday just fine. Went to leave wouldn't start. I come back to tow it and it starts right up and drives home fine. Starts up the next morning and drive to work fine. Go to leave again and won't start. Can hear the fuel pump turn on. Don't know where to go from there
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 5:57 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Maybe an intermittent rpm signal? When the problem occurs, have a helper crank it while you visually check for spark at the spark plugs. If you have spark everywhere, check fuel pressure and injector pulse.

Can you check for applicable trouble codes? Some of the national brand autostores wsill check codes for free. Intermittent issues can be hard to track. Have to test when problem is ongoing.
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 5:57 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOAN KIMMINAU
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 135,000 MILES
It has not stalled completely. I think it must be the last tank of gas. What do I do to get the water out of it?

I am a 72 year old woman and have no intention nor any way to work on my own car.
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 5:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello,

The best way to get bad gas out of your vehicle is to drop the tank and drain it. You might be able to get a siphon hose kit from a store like Harbor Freight and siphon the gas out of the tank this way. There are some products at your local auto parts store that are supposed to fix this problem, but I have only heard of limited success at best with these and I don't recommend them. Did you fill your tank when you got gas last? Please get back to us and we can go from there.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 5:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOM_TARA24
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 142,241 MILES
When I go to start the car it turns over, but refuses to start. I have a mechanic, but he said he cant figure out why its doing that. He replaced the crank sensor, but it starts when it wants and stops went it wants.
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 5:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
Is it losing fuel pressure? Or spark? Might need to relearn the Pass-lock key. Turn ign "on" try to start and let key return to "on" wait approx 10 minutes, security light will go out. Turn key off and wait 5 seconds and repeat procedure 2 more times. Then start car
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 5:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DANPERAGINE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU
Engine Performance problem
2001 Chevy Malibu 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

I have been trying to start this car for months, the engines getting spark, getting fuel cranks free, just wont start. The theift system was checked and its not flashing. Sounds like a timing problem spray starting fluid in the air cleaner and back fires could the camshaft sensor be bad and how can I test it
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 5:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BASSTECH
  • MEMBER
  • 236 POSTS
The best way to check a cam sensor is with a diagnostic tool so you can see what's it's doing while your cranking it. It is also possible that the ignition module is defective. Even though your getting spark it could be sparking at the incorrect time. Can you do a compression test on a few of the front cylinders to see if the timing chain is ok?
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 5:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DANPERAGINE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I have comperssion in all cylinders and how do I check the ignition module. However when the car overheated just before the rebulld all the dash lights came on and then keept driving then all the lights went off if this has any signifiacnts
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 5:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BASSTECH
  • MEMBER
  • 236 POSTS
If you have spark, fuel, and compression. Then you either have to little or to much of one of them.
Not sure what you meant by all the lights came on then went off.
You said that it overheated before the rebuild.
Did you rebuild it, or did someone else do it? And how much of it did you rebuild?
Did you just do the head gaskets or did you drop the crankshaft and remove the pistons too?
See if you can get a vacuum gauge on there and see what the cranking vacuum is.
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 5:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MARKPALMER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 3.1L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 160,000 MILES
Running fine parked overnight next morning turns over but wont fire. Changed badly worn plugs and now will start for 3 seconds and shuts off. Fuel pump seems to be working. Can hear it and gas flows from filter when line disconnected. Checked computer codes with an inexpensive scan tool and 2 showed up but were not to car starting or running. Theft light not blinking but did the steps to clear it anyhow. Any and all suggestions would be great. Thanks
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 6:03 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi,

Although you hear the fuel pump running, it may not be producing enough pressure to run the engine. I do recommend check it. Since it does start, that is my first suspect.

Here is a link that explains how to test the pump pressure:

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

Here are the manufacturer's specs for fuel pressure:

2000 Chevrolet Malibu V6-3.1L VIN J
Fuel Pump Pressure

Engine not running 52 -59 psi @ 0 rpm
Check pressure with the key on and the engine not running.

Let me know what you find or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 6:03 PM (Merged)

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