Cranks but will not start?

Tiny
RONNIE1189199
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 CHEVROLET S-10
  • 4.3L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 278,000 MILES
I have the truck listed above zr2, extended cab/third door with the nv3500 five speed manual transmission. Nothing aftermarket on it. The truck has been serviced and maintained regularly since it was new. It has 278,000 miles. Replaced the distributor and put a complete upper gasket set on the engine as well. Now the engine cranks over but will not start. Checked timing, fuel, and spark. Still no start. I've checked and double checked everything. I even used a Chilton manual and went over everything. Can't figure out what is keeping it from starting. Crankshaft position sensor? Pass lock/anti-theft deterrent? I'm at a loss. Fuel pump kicks on when key is turned on. The truck ran great and the distributor gear broke. That's why I changed the distributor, and, in the process, I went ahead and changed the upper gaskets. Now, it won't start. Has spark, fuel, air. Far as I know or can tell, the pass lock isn't on or any other security stuff. But I'm not 100% sure. It has half a tank of gas. All the lights work inside and out. Put an OBD code reader and scanner on it and I'll I'm finding is an ABS code for a wheel sensor. Any ideas of what to check, how to check it? Also put a splash of fuel in the throttle body still wouldn't start. I feel like it's in theft deterrent mode or something. I've literally read the entire Chilton manual and checked everything on it over and over. So, it's something simple I believe and I'm just overlooking it, or something is showing its working but maybe not working to its full potential. I'm not sure. I'm at a loss and don't know where to go from here. I cannot afford to take it to a dealer or automotive shop. I am mechanically inclined. So, I can do whatever and I have every tool to do it with.
Friday, July 29th, 2022 AT 12:30 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
The fact that the distributor gear broke means we need to remove the distributor cap and have a helper crank the engine over to see if the igniting rotor turns, you may have a locked-up oil pump. Also is the security light flashing when you crank the engine over? If so, it will need to be reset, here is a guide to help you with that:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-reset-a-security-system

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Friday, July 29th, 2022 AT 9:24 AM
Tiny
RONNIE1189199
  • MEMBER
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The distributor is brand new. The original one broke, that's why I changed it, but in the process of putting the new distributor in I decided to go ahead and put an upper gasket kit on it. So, I don't need to take the distributor cap off. I used one of those bore scope cameras, or whatever they are called, and checked the cam lobes and crank journals as well as the inside of the cylinders. Everything looks fine. The engine turns over just fine. I checked the timing multiple times. I have checked everything over and over. Can't find anything wrong. At one point I removed the factory Delco theft lock radio and installed an aftermarket stereo. The aftermarket stereo worked just fine. But after replacing the distributor and gaskets and couldn't get it to start, I found out about the pass lock and anti-theft deterrent security system. From everything I've read I thought maybe I disrupted the security system. So, I put the original radio back in it. Radio comes on works just fine. Still no start. Cranks over just fine but will not start. When you first turn on the key all the dash indicator lights come on like they should. And when u turn the key to crank it all the lights go off like normal. Security light light's up to show its working but goes off within a few seconds like normal. So, I don't know if the pass lock is keeping it from starting or not. Or if it's anything to do with the security system. Idk what else to do. I don't know if it's in a limp mode or something or what is going on. The oil pump turns. I turned it with a long screwdriver when I installed the new distributor. So, it can't be locked up. The oil pressure gauge goes up while cranking it over, so I assume it's nothing to do with that. I'm thinking crank shaft position sensor. Is it possible the distributor cap could be faulty even though it's new? And there's a vacuum hose coming from drivers' side of the engine bay that has what looks like some sort of tee connector and from the tee the hose goes to whatever that is on top of the intake. But the hose was dry rotted and I haven't replaced it. Is it possible for that to keep it from starting? I can't find literature about the security system that makes any sense. And I keep reading all kinds of different things about how to set the timing when installing a new distributor. I followed the Chilton manual but it's also not my first time doing this. I know how to get #1 cylinder to TDC on the compression stroke. I also know there are two marks on the harmonic balancer. I know there's a mark for 6- and 8-cylinder engine under the distributor cap. But now I'm reading multiple different things about setting those timing marks. And now I'm reading that there's apparently another mark on the bottom of the block and the two on the balancer and the v notch and this other mark all have to be lined up when setting the distributor as well as #1 at TDC. So, do you have a clear legible picture of the timing marks? Do you have any literature about the entire security system and how to operate it? Do you have a complete vacuum line diagram that's easy to read? Every diagram I have found is not easy to see or figure out what is showing. I don't know what else to say or do. I have a Bosch OBD1 and OBD2 Scan Tool 1300 Series. I know how to use OBD Code readers. I'm not sure how to use the scan tool or if it works on my vehicle. Let me know what your thoughts are. Again, the vehicle is listed above. All transmission. The truck is all stock. No performance upgrades or anything like that. It acts like it wants to start when cranking the engine over. I have the original ignition key. But I don't have the key fob thing for it that has the lock/unlock and alarm buttons on it. If I don't get this truck to run. I'm probably going to set it on fire. Oh, the original muffler was rusted pretty good, so I cut it off. It still has the Catalytic Converter on it as well as the sensors.
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Friday, July 29th, 2022 AT 10:38 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
If the security light goes off you are okay and the security system, so you did check to see if the rotor was spinning when the engine is cranked, correct? How does the engine sound when you are cranking it, normal? Also, does the engine have a spark? Will it run on starting fluid? I would unplug the MAF sensor because if it is not working it will tell the computer no air is entering the engine and turn the fuel off. If the crankshaft sensor is bad, it will not trigger a code. Here is the location so you can check it out in the diagrams below:

MPORTANT: For additional diagnostic information, refer to DTC P1336.

1. Install a scan tool.
2. With a scan tool, monitor the powertrain control module (PCM) for diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs). If other DTCs are set, except DTC P1336, refer to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List for the applicable DTC that set.
3. With a scan tool, select the crankshaft position (CKP) variation learn procedure.
4. Observe the fuel cut-OFF for the engine that you are performing the learn procedure on.
5. The scan tool instructs you to perform the following:
Block the drive wheels.
Apply the vehicles parking brake.
Cycle the ignition from OFF to ON.
Apply and hold the brake pedal.
Start and idle the engine.
Turn OFF the A/C.
Place the vehicles transmission in Park (A/T) or Neutral (M/T).
The scan tool monitors certain component signals to determine if all the conditions are met to continue with the procedure. The scan tool only displays the condition that inhibits the procedure. The scan tool monitors the following components:
- CKP sensor activity - If there is a CKP sensor condition, refer to the applicable DTCs that set.
- Camshaft position (CMP) sensor activity - If there is a CMP sensor condition, refer to the applicable DTCs that set.
- Engine coolant temperature (ECT) - if the ECT is not warm enough, idle the engine until the ECT reaches the correct temperature.
6. With the scan tool, enable the CKP system variation learn procedure.

IMPORTANT: While the learn procedure is in progress, release the throttle immediately when the engine starts to decelerate. The engine control is returned to the operator and the engine responds to throttle position (TP) after the learn procedure is complete.

7. Slowly increase the engine speed to the RPM that you observed.
8. Immediately release the throttle when fuel cut-OFF is reached.
9. The scan tool displays Learn Status: Learned this ignition. If the scan tool does NOT display this message and no additional DTCs set, refer to Symptoms - Engine. If a DTC set, refer to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List for the applicable DTC that set.
10. Turn OFF the ignition for 30 seconds after the learn procedure is completed successfully.

Can you please shoot a quick video with your phone so I can hear the engine crank over? That way I can tell for sure what's going on. You can upload it here with your response.
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Saturday, July 30th, 2022 AT 12:48 PM

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