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Crank but will not start

Tiny
THISTHIS09
  • MEMBER
  • 2009 GMC ACADIA
  • 3.6L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 175,000 MILES
Bought this few days ago. Man said it started running rough, and wouldn’t start back once it shut off. And wouldn’t start back. Sat a year. Was told it could be cam sensors Got it at a steal of a price.
Towed it home charged battery up try didn't have good power so bought a new one.
Still turns everything on but won’t start. Can’t tell if the fuel pump is kicking in or not. What are some things I need to try and check before going deeper in?
How do I check relays or things before replacing pump. Like what should I start at first? Transmission fluid looked good, oil looked decent, just looked as though it needs a change, no shavings in it.
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Wednesday, March 13th, 2019 AT 4:42 PM

24 Replies

Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello,

There are a couple of ways to go about this. Basically an engine needs three thing to run. 1) Fuel. 2) Ignition source (spark). 3) Compression. Since you can't tell if the fuel pump is coming on or not, and I like to start with this one anyway, let's see if you are getting spark. I have included down below a couple of links for you to go to.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-an-ignition-system
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Please go through these guides and get back to us with what find out. We can go from there.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Wednesday, March 13th, 2019 AT 6:41 PM
Tiny
THISTHIS09
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
Hey, fuel pump is working, verified by literally crawling underneath and hearing it and unhooking from under hood, has fuel there to!
Still when you turn the key, it acts like it’s going to then nope notta. Plugs have spark ):
Fuses and relays look good.
Can the cam sensors cause this much issue? Crank sensor? Those was next on the list ): has decent compression. I honestly don’t think it’s a timing chain, issue. Called gm they verified my vin was in the good ones with no recalls. I’m starting to get annoyed!
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Thursday, March 14th, 2019 AT 7:22 PM
Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello again,

Okay, Let's try these Technical Service Bulletin's (TSB) first. Then I have a factory troubleshooting guide with a couple of tests that probably wouldn't have been thought about. I have them all listed in the diagrams down below. Please go through them and get back to us with what you find out.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Thursday, March 14th, 2019 AT 8:49 PM
Tiny
THISTHIS09
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
There isn’t any codes showing at all, just an check engine light, but it won’t fully start to check for one. It acts like it, then nothing.
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Friday, March 15th, 2019 AT 7:14 PM
Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello again,

Okay. Can you get a can of starting fluid and give it a couple of shots by where the air comes in at the breather. Don't over do it. Have an assistant crank the engine and see if will start for a couple of seconds that way please. Get back to us with what you find out.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Friday, March 15th, 2019 AT 11:27 PM
Tiny
THISTHIS09
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
Hey that seems to be good. Took out cam sensors 1 seems to be completely dead. Others have around 200 on meter.
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Sunday, March 17th, 2019 AT 3:06 PM
Tiny
THISTHIS09
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
It won’t start. Acts like it’s going to then nothing.
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Wednesday, March 20th, 2019 AT 3:59 PM
Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello again,

Did you see if would start with a shot or two of starting fluid for a second or two?

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Wednesday, March 20th, 2019 AT 7:37 PM
Tiny
THISTHIS09
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
No it just acted like it wanted to start. But then nothing.
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Thursday, March 21st, 2019 AT 5:13 PM
Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello again,

Normally hear I would say that it is time to test the Crankshaft Position Sensor(CKP) because it sounds to me like you are not getting spark, but you mentioned something about your Camshaft Position Sensor being dead earlier so let's test those again first. I have included a factory test for these in the diagrams below. Please go through the tests and get back to us with what you find out. If one or more have failed then they will need to be replaced.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Friday, March 22nd, 2019 AT 12:05 AM
Tiny
THISTHIS09
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
Thank you! I will get back with you soon. I will try and video it so you can hear it.
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Friday, March 22nd, 2019 AT 4:54 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,643 POSTS
A video really helps. :)
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Monday, March 25th, 2019 AT 11:18 AM
Tiny
THISTHIS09
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
Okay, second full day of this ! Sorry I haven’t replied sooner the baby had her birthday yesterday. Okay, a few days ago replaced cam position sensors. Still wouldn’t run. Then when we went out to try it again Monday the battery was dead so we put it on charge. Took it hooked it back in to the GMC came inside to do the party. Went out it had leaked. I took it to advance and they said it charges and was a little higher then should be okay. So they switched it. Today we put it in all it did was click! Okay plugged it up it’s dead? Like barley any charge. Can’t even see if the crank sensor fixed it! Can it be a bad battery or what? Can the car be doing this? Could it be why it won’t run? Like what’s going on?
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Tuesday, March 26th, 2019 AT 2:18 PM
Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello again,

This is without question parasitic draw. I have included a link for you to go to down below.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-dead-overnight

Please go through it and get back to us with what you find out.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Wednesday, March 27th, 2019 AT 3:10 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,643 POSTS
So did they give you a new battery? Check the positive battery cable as well it may need to be replaced.

Here is a guide to load test the battery:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.
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Wednesday, March 27th, 2019 AT 11:05 AM
Tiny
THISTHIS09
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
Sorry we had to do the starter. Now this all it does.
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Tuesday, April 2nd, 2019 AT 3:51 PM
Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello,

That sounds like the Bendix gear comes out and tries to turn the flywheel but the battery isn't strong enough to turn the starter motor so the Bendix retracts. Can you guys take a multi-meter and tell me the voltage of the battery, please.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Wednesday, April 3rd, 2019 AT 12:38 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,643 POSTS
Here is a guide to help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Wednesday, April 3rd, 2019 AT 10:06 AM
Tiny
THISTHIS09
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
It shows good voltage possibly overlooked something with wires you suggested while back.
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Friday, April 5th, 2019 AT 4:30 AM
Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello again,

Okay, Then can you please check the connections at the battery? Make sure they are clean, corrosion free, tight, and have good metal to metal contact. Follow the wire from the battery(+) to the starter making sure it is not damaged and check the connections on the starter please. I have included information on the starter connections in the diagrams down below, Please check these connections out and get back to us with what you find out please.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Friday, April 5th, 2019 AT 4:47 AM

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