The car cranks and cranks but wont run?

74,322 MILES • 3.6L • V6 • RWD • AUTOMATIC
Avatar
NICK DILWORTH
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
The car cranks and cranks but wont turn over. It was doing this last night and I messed with the battery a little bit and it started. This morning I had the same problem and my method did not work. The brake pedal is also stiff.
Nov 9, 2016 at 11:26 PM
Avatar
KASEKENNY
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 18,907 POSTS
The brake pedal is stiff because the vacuum from the booster is gone and that is normal. Once the engine starts the pedal will return to normal.

The engine not starting is most likely a weak battery or a fuel issue.

So, we need to start with checking the battery. Here is a guide that will show how to do this:

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

If the battery is okay, then we need to monitor the fuel pressure when this is not starting.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

I don't think messing with the battery caused it to start unless there was a loose connection but instead after the battery sat for a short time, it is able to regenerate some power and it would start the vehicle.

However, if the battery is fine, then I suspect that was just a coincidence which means we should see the fuel pressure low as that is the next likely issue.

Let's start with this info and let us know what you find. Thanks
Dec 17, 2021 at 10:09 AM
Add a reply
Join 2CarPros for free, one of the most advanced car repair communities on the internet. From first-time drivers to seasoned mechanics, everyone is welcome to reply, share details, and get better answers. You can add a temporary image or video first; uploads are limited to 20 MB.

Frequently Asked Problems for This Vehicle