Engine will crank but not start up?

Tiny
DWAYNE01
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 3.1L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 180,000 MILES
Car will crank but no spark at plugs. I've already replace the coil packs and crankshaft position sensor.
Sunday, July 19th, 2020 AT 4:46 PM

33 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi,

This vehicle has an ignition control module under the coil pack. It can be bad. Since you already replaced the crank sensor and coils, I suspect that is the issue. What I suggest at this point is to scan the computer for diagnostic trouble codes.

Here is a quick video showing how it's done:

https://youtu.be/Cg1WO0UKIYM

Also, here is a list of OBD2 codes for your reference:

https://www.2carpros.com/trouble_codes/obd2

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

Take care,
Joe
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Sunday, July 19th, 2020 AT 7:26 PM
Tiny
DWAYNE01
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Joe, I've tried a code reader and it says there's no codes stored in the computer. I've got a new ignition control module and I'm going to replace that tomorrow. Thanks
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Monday, July 20th, 2020 AT 11:19 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Let me know if that takes care of the issue.

Take care,
Joe
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Monday, July 20th, 2020 AT 3:57 PM
Tiny
DWAYNE01
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Joe,

I replaced the ignition control module and now have fire at the plugs but the car still just cranks and won't start. I can hear a clicking noise inside the relay panel when ignition is turned on. I'm not sure if that's supposed to happen or not but I've never noticed it before.
Thanks,
Dwayne
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Wednesday, August 12th, 2020 AT 6:34 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi,

It's normal for a relay to make a click. Tell me, do you hear the fuel pump turn on for a couple seconds when you first turn the key on? Also, see if it starts for a couple seconds using starting fluid and then stalls. If it does, then we have a fuel related issue. Do you know which relay is making noise?

I attached a pic below of the under hood fuse box. I highlighted the fuel pump relay. See if that is what is making the noise.

Let me know.
Joe
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Wednesday, August 12th, 2020 AT 9:34 PM
Tiny
DWAYNE01
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
It is getting fuel also.
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Thursday, August 13th, 2020 AT 7:23 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
If you have fuel and spark to the plugs, it has no choice but to run. Will it start for a couple seconds using starting fluid? You may have fuel pressure but no injector pulse.

Let me know.
Joe
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Friday, August 14th, 2020 AT 12:29 PM
Tiny
CRAIGP56
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 CHEVROLET MALIBU
Engine Performance problem
1999 Chevy Malibu 6 cyl Automatic

Car will turn over but won't start, changed the fuel pump relay and fuel pump but the fuel pump is still not pumping fuel. The car wil run with a small amount of gas poured into the throttle body, so what can be casuing the fuel pump to not pump and what are the solutions?
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 6:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,121 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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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 6:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DEVXEN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1999 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 105,000 MILES
Any idea what is/could be wrong with my car?

I was At the drive through ordering. And my Car died. And it would not start, it was working fine before that. No weird sounds, no sputtering. Nothing. Just BAM - dead, out of the blue.

(When I turned the wheel. It squealed a little bit. I figured that was the power steering pump. But I did notice it just before - and only if I turned the wheels to far to the side).

When I tried to start it, it sputtered, and my friend commented, thats what it sounds like/acts, when her car is out of Gas. - I had just under a 1/4th a tank of Gas so that likely wasn't it. I towed it home the next day.

I had a friend look at it Who said it has compression issues. - And then commented that possibly it is a valve spring stuck open. - He offered to do compression tests for $50 an hour and tow it to his house to do it.

Another friend looked at it. Checked the fuses. Checked the spark plugs. All were fine. - When he throttled it from the engine, it started, and stayed started for about 20 minutes, but was running rough/stuttered. He said. It could be the the Crank sensor. Maybe A valve Spring. He did listen for the fuel pump, and must have heard it, so was'nt concerned that could of been it. My brother just sent me a message saying it could be the Fuel Filter.

If you need any more info, ask. Or if you have any ideas, i'd appriciate them. Thank you.
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 6:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CADIEMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,544 POSTS
Pour fuel in the throttle body does it start. Youll also gonna need a fuel pressure gauge to check the pressure.
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 6:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DEVXEN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Okee. I'm not sure where the throttle body is. But i'm sure I can find that on google. And a fuel pressure gauge, i'll pick up from the local autozone.
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 6:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CADIEMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,544 POSTS
Take the air filter off. The throttle body is round in the middle of motor. This sounds like a bad fuel pump.
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 6:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
POPZ
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 3.1L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 170,000 MILES
Car was running pretty good and I parked it and next time I tried to use it, it cranked but wouldn't start. It acts like it's not getting fuel. Gas tank was really low on fuel so I added a couple gallons with a gas can. No change. I am lost on what I should try to do. Thanks
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 6:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.

A crank no start condition can be the result of a few things. With that in mind, I need you to read through this link. It discusses the most common causes of a crank no start condition. Do this and let me know the result. I will provide directions for repair once you tell me what is found.

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

I will watch for your reply. Also, feel free to ask any questions if you have them.

Take care,
Joe
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 6:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GROGG1256
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
  • 1999 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
1999 Malibu LS 3.1 L Style M OBDII

Previously.
-Dim headlights
-Random ABS, Brake, Theft Light, but always off at next start up
-Sun Roof doest always like to close
-Gas gauge works until your down to a half tank, then it starts to go back up instead of down until its empty, then it shows empty
-Sometimes when you turn on the a/c, the gas gauge jumps to full and stays there until you shut it off
-Check engine came on once, but was off at next start up
-occasionally had to tap gas at startup

And then.
-Driving home, turned right --car died, no warning lights, or funny noises, just died.
-Initially restarted, but it was rough and sounded like it had a timing issue.
-Towed it home and now it will crank but not start.

-tried ether, no fire--but you can hear the fuel pump
-spark plug test shows no spark
-checked all fuses inside and underhood
-all 3 coils and coil wire were checked
-changed crank position sensor, no change
-changed ignition control module, no change
-changed igntion switch, no change
-checked the only known fusible link by the alternator, its good
-checked for continuity and connection issues around cps, icm, and pcm
-did the relearn procedure for the computer

It is not passlock, the security light does not flash. Tried to reset it anyways, and the light never went off

The multimeter died after checking the igntion switch--coincidence?

SO whats left? Why wont my car start?
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 6:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Does the battery have a full charge, are the cables clean and tight on both ends? Are there any codes?

If you have no spark anywhere, with the engine cranking, I'd start testing the circuits at the ignition module. Did you test for B+ and ground at the ignition module, with the key on? The pink wire is B+ goes hot when you turn the key on, the black wire is ground. You take the connector loose, put a testlite between the pink and black wire, turn on the key, you don't need to crank it. The testlite should come on? If it doesn't, try using chassis/engine ground instead of the black wire, anything?

If that checks out, there is a purple wire with a white tracer that goes from the ignition module to the computer, with the engine cranking, there should be a pluse on that wire?

My info shows two crank sensors on your vehicle, I don't know which one you replaced or of you replaced both? I'm not saying to replace anything, just do some testing.
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 6:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GROGG1256
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I had my husband check all the wiring you suggested--still nothing. He changed the 7x crankshaft sensor. Im starting to wonder if it isnt the pcm itself--nothing is adding up--
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 6:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
I need the results of the tests. With the key on, is the pink wire at the ignition module, hot?

With the engine cranking is there a pulse on the purple wire with the white tracer?
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 6:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GROGG1256
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Yes--both the pink and the purple and wire wire were hot while crankinging--thanks for the help !
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 6:09 PM (Merged)

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