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Cranks but not starting

Tiny
JUSTIN LESKANIC
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 INFINITI QX4
  • 3.3L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 270,000 MILES
I know this was completely dumb, but my front fender wall was hanging and rubbing the tire when I turned right and I had the bright idea of using a sheet-rock screw to hang it up. Well my screw went through the plastic into the wire bundle. Didn't immediately shut off but within the time to put my screw gun back in building and come back out it wasn't running. It cranks but doesn't catch. I've taken off the quarter paneling and spliced new wire into the damaged ones. Getting spark to the number 1 and I can hear fuel pump whine. Checked all fuses and relays under steering wheel and fuse box on passenger side. Got frustrated and haven't checked relays on driver side. Spayed starter fluid but still didn't fire. I'm curious if it's the timing or what. Please any information would be appreciated.
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Friday, November 8th, 2019 AT 7:45 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,645 POSTS
Hi:

Can you take a picture of the wiring that was damaged and upload it for me to see? I'm not sure what was damaged.

Let me know.

Joe
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Friday, November 8th, 2019 AT 5:57 PM
Tiny
JUSTIN LESKANIC
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thanks for taking your time to help figure this out.
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Saturday, November 9th, 2019 AT 4:51 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,645 POSTS
Hi:

I re-posted your picture and circled a component. I believe I'm looking at the power-train control module (circled). Is there a large connector going to what I circled? Are you certain you hear the fuel pump? Also, have you checked any other spark plugs for spark other than number one?

I suspect (and this is a guess) you aren't getting fuel. Since it was running and then slowly died when you left, that is my first suspect. If I am correct and I'm seeing the PCM, you may have shorted something internally, so recheck fuel and spark. If you have both, it should run. One must be missing.

Let me know.

Joe
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Saturday, November 9th, 2019 AT 9:48 PM
Tiny
JUSTIN LESKANIC
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
So I was thinking something with the distributor. Put a straw in the number 1 piston and turned the engine by hand until it was as it's highest point. Well the distributor was off and I had a friend turn it into proper position. Noticed corrosion in the cap so went and got a new cap wires and plugs. Now, I've created another issue. I had a plug break in the engine. Going to get some liquid wrench and an easy out in hopes of getting it out unless you have an easier way. As far as the pump goes, I'm pretty sure that I hear it after stop cranking but may be wrong. Again thanks for your time.
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Sunday, November 10th, 2019 AT 4:23 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,645 POSTS
Hi:

The electrical issue should't have changed timing. Can you explain?

They do make a special tool to remove broken spark plugs. At what point did it break?
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Sunday, November 10th, 2019 AT 9:04 PM

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