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Turns over but won't start

Tiny
SHAYLAARNOLD
  • MEMBER
  • 1991 CHEVROLET TRUCK
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 90,000 MILES
I have my 1991 chevy truck that I let sit for about a week without starting and when I went to start it, it would not turn over. It sounds like it wants to start but won't turn over. I replace the all the spark plugs and it still won't start. What do you think may be the problem?
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Thursday, January 28th, 2010 AT 6:29 PM

37 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
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.

This guide should help
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Thursday, January 28th, 2010 AT 6:44 PM
Tiny
JAMESEJAM
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1991 CHEVROLET TRUCK
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 131,000 MILES
My truck ran fine until the other day. I shut it off for a minute while I was picking up food, and when I came back it turned over but wouldn't start. I let it sit there overnight, and the next day it started and ran fine until I shut it off and tried to start it again. Now it turns over and rarely starts, but still runs fine once it's on. Since this problem, I've replaced the ignition control module and the ignition coil to no avail. I replaced the whole distributor a month ago, before I had this problem.
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Monday, November 11th, 2019 AT 6:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check the fuel pressure, fuel pump could be on its way out
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Monday, November 11th, 2019 AT 6:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JAMESEJAM
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
If the fuel pump was dying, would it still run fine once the engine gets started? I would think it would die while driving but I'm not an expert. Also, I used a timing light to check for spark while cranking and there was nothing. So no spark and no fuel.I'm stumped.
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Monday, November 11th, 2019 AT 6:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
If the fuel pump was dying, the only way to tell is check the fuel pressure with a gauge-Now that you also have no spark am beginning to think computer.

Double check again-Do below

disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine -have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs, coil's resistances, cap and rotor /distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, ECM, Ignitor camshaft and crankshaft sensors- Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it

If both fuel pressure and blue spark is present-check the valve and ignition timing, this will lead you to problems with compression and valves opening and closing at the wrong time/broken or jumped timing belt/chain
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Monday, November 11th, 2019 AT 6:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GEAUXTIGERS
  • MEMBER
  • 19 POSTS
  • 1991 CHEVROLET TRUCK
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 170,000 MILES
I recently changed the head gaskets on my 1991 Chevrolet C1500 with a 4.3l 6 cyl due to overheating. There was a crack in the front of the right side gasket. Everything else was fine.

Put everything back together and now it will not start. It just turns over at an accellerated rate. By that I mean it turns over fast not sluggishly.

Figured I didn't put the distributor back in correctly so pulled the #1 plug and felt for the compression but there is none. Checked other plugs and same thing, no compression. Using the timing marks on the harmonic balancer, I reset the distributor. I got a loud backfire and then same thing - turns over but wont start.

I am guessing my problem is timing. The absence of compression suggests the timing chain, but before I take it apart to that point, am I missing something simpler or is there something else I should test?

Thanks for the assistance.
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Monday, November 11th, 2019 AT 6:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Hi
What proceedure was used to set valve lash? Was say a Chiltons manual used? If valves are too tight they will not seat and no compression.
Let me know
Thanks for donate
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Monday, November 11th, 2019 AT 6:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GEAUXTIGERS
  • MEMBER
  • 19 POSTS
Doc,

Thanks. I think a light bulb just went off over my head. I did use a Chilton's and obviously misread it. The book says that valve adjustment on 1991-98 7.4L engines and 1995-98 models equipped with V6 engines is not required and to just torque to specifications. Obviously I don't have a 7.4L engine and obviously I went through this too fast because that is exactly what I did - torgued the valves to specs.

Guess my next job is to remove the valve covers and properly adjust - carefully reading the book this time.

Two last questions - did or could I screw anything up by doing this wrong? And 2) any tips or advice on fixing the problem.

Thanks for the quick response.
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Monday, November 11th, 2019 AT 6:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
You should be O.K. Done this myself lots of times. Put engine on ADJUST
#1 TDC INTAKE EXHAUST
1-2-3 1-5-6
Turn crank 360deg to TDC #4
4-5-6 2-3-4
Turn nut while spining pushrod when pushrod gets to hard to turn go 1 full turn more.
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Monday, November 11th, 2019 AT 6:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PETER J. MACZIK III
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
  • 1991 CHEVROLET TRUCK
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 300,000 MILES
My engine cranks but will not start, I have no spark. I have a diagnostic program on my computer and I have done every troubleshooting test that pertains to the ignition system. I replaced my Distributor, HEI Module, Pick-Up Coil, Wires, Ignition Coil, Distributor Cap and Rotor, Electronic Spark Control Module, still no spark. I checked all my fuses, all ignition components have good ground, still no spark. All my ignition components have power. Still nothing. Before this happened I had starting problems. It would start cold but after the engine was warm sometimes the starter would not work. I replaced the starter and battery wire and it worked for a while, but then it started happening again. Now it has no spark. I was thinking the two problems were related but I don't no what else to check. I have even swapped out my ECM with one from my other truck that runs and it still won't spark.
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Monday, November 11th, 2019 AT 6:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MDORCEY
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Check your oil pressure switch at the rear of the motor kinda under and behind the distributor, if that goes out the truck won't start to prevent engine damage from running without oil pressure, I am not sure but I would guess it would prevent spart which inturn wshould prevent fuel from spraying, it is a big mess, but I would start with that oil switch.
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Monday, November 11th, 2019 AT 6:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ROCKYMTNSPOT
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
  • 1991 CHEVROLET TRUCK
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
1991 chevy 3500 w/ 454. Intermittant problem starting. No spark or fuel. I have replaced ecu, ignition module, cap rotor, coil wires and plugs. Fuel filter and relay.
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Monday, November 11th, 2019 AT 6:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Did check primary voltage at the coil, pink wire, goes hot with the key on. Any voltage? Any applicable trouble codes? The pick-up coil sends a signal through the ignition module to the computer, without that signal, no spark or injector pulse.
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Monday, November 11th, 2019 AT 6:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ROCKYMTNSPOT
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I replaced coil already. Do not know how to check for pulse. This problem is wierd. All of the sudden it will start and run for 2 to 5 weeks, then just not start.
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Monday, November 11th, 2019 AT 6:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ROCKYMTNSPOT
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I am going to check for codes now
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Monday, November 11th, 2019 AT 6:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Did you check for voltage on the pink wire, key on. Which coil did you replace? I don't believe you can replace pickup coil with removing distributor?
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Monday, November 11th, 2019 AT 6:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KITKAT_LEO
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1991 CHEVROLET TRUCK
Ok very frustrating- 164000 miles Car didn't want to start replaced the starter and it started a few days and died wouldn't jump thought the rebulit starter had problems replaced it. Still only clicks won't start. Checked fuses connections. Fuseable link on start good. Tried to replace the coil that didn't do anything. Wondering what next should I look at, please help
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Monday, November 11th, 2019 AT 6:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KITKAT_LEO
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
So we replaced the ignition switch and now the car clicks like the battery is dead, but battery tested it was fine. The funny thing is you could test for error codes and then the car started a couple of times. Now it won't start at all just clicks. Also the error codes just flash 12 continuesly it is suppose to do it 3 times then flash the error code anyone else think it could be the brain. If you have an idea or anyone else have an idea at all please help :(
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Monday, November 11th, 2019 AT 6:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ROCKYMTNSPOT
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I just checked for codes. There were no codes thrown.
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Monday, November 11th, 2019 AT 6:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MIKEYBDMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 623 POSTS
Some times the ground cable from the battery to the engine block will corrode inside the plastic and you cant see it. Check your ground cable and make sure it is not corrodded or have a bad connect to the engine block.
If you have a clicking start relay while trying to start, you have a weak battery, bad ground, loose connection or bad start relay. Try to eliminate each item one by one to avoid replacing parts that dont need to be replaced.
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Monday, November 11th, 2019 AT 6:20 PM (Merged)

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