Cranks then shuts off

JANIE MATA

MEMBER
2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU
3.6L
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
80,000 MILES

Lately when I go to crank my car it cranks for a few seconds, but it is shaking and automatically shuts off. I have been having to pop the trunk and unplug some of the fuses including the fuel pump fuse and then waiting a minute and then plug them back in in order for the car to fully crank without shaking or shutting off. Occasionally I do get a smell of gas when it starts shaking and shuts off. The first time it happened, I tried to use the remote start to crank it and it would not crank it was just trying to that is when I just started to unplug the fuses and plugging them back in in order for it to start.

1 Reply

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,758 POSTS

If you are smelling fuel, that is a concern. You should first check for fuel leaks. Any fuel leak can be dangerous. As far as the cranking, it sounds like the reason it happens is due to a leak. If the system loses pressure due to a leak, it will take the fuel pump longer to produce enough pressure to run the engine. Hence, the extended cranking and then rough running. Try this to see if it makes a difference. Cycle the ignition key three times from off to the run position and then back off. When it is in the run position, wait a few seconds before turning it off. Do that three times. If it is a fuel pressure issue, three times should allow the pump to build enough pressure so it starts normally. However, even if that works, you really need to address the possibility of a leak.