Car will not start

Good morning,

Sounds to me like fouled plugs.
Interesting that it was fine until a code scan and is trying to start. It may be what it the old days was considered flooded. I would get in the car floor it hold the gas pedal to the floor and crank it longer than you normally would and try to force the backup through. It may slowly try to start then eventually catch and you may get a giant load of smoke out the tail pipe. If that doesn't work then we want to know what the plugs look like. Pull a plug and see if it's wet. My feeling is that they will be wet and the plugs are creating a spark and the electricity is shorting thought the wetness known as a fouled plug. Try that and check the plugs and get back to us.

Tom

Hi,

You can have fuel pressure and spark, but if the fuel isn't getting into the engine, it won't run. Has anyone checked for an injector pulse?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-a-fuel-injector

A real simple thing to try is this. See if the engine starts for a couple seconds and then stalls when using starting fluid. If it does start and then stall, we know it is fuel related. If it still doesn't start, we need to recheck the spark. A faulty ignition control module, crankshaft position sensor and so on can limit spark.

Let us know what you find.

Joe

Hi,

If the engine has compression, spark, fuel, and timing is correct, it has no option but to run. Something is missing from the four things I listed. The only thing that would make sense if you have spark, fuel, and compression would be a timing issue.

Do me a favor, record the engine cranking and upload it for me to hear. I will watch for your reply.

Joe

Hi Mjphilips,

What type of scanner did you use? I think we should look into that model and see if there is problems with it. This problem occurring with just that action is pretty strange. Looking at the tool that was plugged in maybe the scanner burn out the ECM? Or popped a fuse or fuse link somewhere. When you turn the key do all the dash lights come on like normal and it cranks just no fire? No security light? Try to pull a code with a different scanner.
Let me know,
Tom

Thanks for getting that to me. It honestly doesn't sound like a timing issue. I did hear it fire a couple times. I read back through all the posts and am wondering if you have removed the plugs since installing them to make sure they are okay? If you remove them, see if they are wet. Also, you mentioned they were performance plugs. What kind of plugs were in it before and what was installed? Something isn't adding up.

Let me know.
Joe

Before you buy anything, check to make sure the spark at the plugs is a hot blue snapping spark. If it appears white or orange, it may not even be strong enough to burn the fuel.

Next, remove one of the new plugs and inspect its condition. Is it wet? Does it have oil or a contaminate on it?

As far as the scanner, if you purchase one, look for one that is designed for VW/Audi vehicles. They identify them as (VAG), which stands for VW/Audi group.

You can find them online for not too much money. Also, will it start if you use starting fluid? I may have already asked that, but I looked through and didn't see it.

Joe

Hello,

The more I go though this and I watched the short video you posted your starter is on a timer isn't it? Meaning you can't have the crank time be longer than shown on the video. Is that correct? I am convinced everything is operating properly right up the the spark plug itself and I don't thing the spark plug is faulty. I think the rings are washed out and the plugs are wet. So your getting some spark and some compression and the timer on the starter is preventing it to crank long enough to generate oil pressure to get the rings to lubricated. The combination of these three things is why isn't giving us such a challenge. If this is the case then try the following:

Pull all the plugs make sure there clean, spray each one with starting fluid and let them dry in the sun use a Q tip to get it dry down the side of the porcelain. Then pour about a teaspoon of oil in each cylinder. When you know the plugs are dry. Put them back in and crank it over be ready right when the starter timer stops back the key off and try it again quickly. If there is not timer let it crank for 8-10 seconds. Try this a couple of times. If you start to get action slowly press the gas pedal and feather up the rpm's if you can.

I hope it works, I do agree something doesn't make sense.
Tom