Engine wont start and run what could it be?

Tiny
JEEPER0515
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  • 2004 JEEP WRANGLER
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My Jeep, which has been moth-balled for almost 2 yrs cranks but wont start. The gauge indicates there's enough fuel in the tank. All pointers will be much appreciated. Thanks.
Friday, October 22nd, 2010 AT 1:07 AM

26 Replies

Tiny
WRENCHTECH
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Are you trying to start it with 2 year old fuel? When you turn the key to the on position without cranking the engine over can you hear the fuel pump run in the tank for 5 seconds?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Please run down this guide and report back.

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Friday, October 22nd, 2010 AT 6:54 AM
Tiny
JEEPER0515
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Yes. If that's a problem, then can it be fixed with one of those store bought octane booster bottle?

Thank you
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Friday, October 22nd, 2010 AT 7:50 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
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No, you have stale gas. The only thing you can do is drain every drop of it from the tank, replace the fuel filter and refill the tank with fresh fuel.
You'll probably have to replace the plugs too now.
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Friday, October 22nd, 2010 AT 7:52 PM
Tiny
JEEPER0515
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I suspected it too, but couldn't get the gasoline siphoned off because there's something in the ways the tank's been constructed which prevented me from doing so.

Thanks for all your help, Wrenchtech.
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Friday, October 22nd, 2010 AT 11:06 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
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Getting gas out of the tank is not too bad. Watch this video it will show you how.

https://youtu.be/Q5MH2gnyFH0

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Saturday, October 23rd, 2010 AT 6:49 AM
Tiny
JEEPER0515
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I did the aerosol starter squirt test and got it too run thanks tot he guide you sent, so it's 90% certain that a faulty fuel pump is the culprit. I'm going to try to replace it by myself. Do I need any specialized tools to remove the tank to get the pump, which is inside?
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Saturday, October 23rd, 2010 AT 3:35 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
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Beside a lift and a transmission jack, no. You may find quick connects on the fuel lines that require a release tool. This guide can help us

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-an-electric-fuel-pump

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Saturday, October 23rd, 2010 AT 3:38 PM
Tiny
JEEPER0515
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Good to hear. I did the job the car is running again. Thanks for all your tips and pointers. They're much appreciated. Thank you
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Saturday, October 23rd, 2010 AT 4:21 PM
Tiny
TIM BUSYN
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Truck lost all acceleration/power but engine did not stall/quit running. Driver shut off engine then attempted to restart. Engine would crank but not start. No evidence of fluid leakage or abnormal noises. Neighbor hooked up truck to OBD 2 scanner and found code 0340, camshaft position sensor. Replaced camshaft position sensor, and cleared code, truck would still crank and not start. Owner then replaced spark plug wires and coil, symptoms remained unchanged. Same code returned again. Could engine have jumped time? Is this engine an interference engine? I personally haven't looked at this truck, all info presented is from owner accounts. Where should we go from here? Could we have gotten a bad part? Vehicle is completely stock and well maintained. Please help.
Thankyou.
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Thursday, September 24th, 2020 AT 5:38 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
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Hello, did you check the cam sensor wiring circuit? Ref voltage--ground--signal. With the engine cranking, is there primary voltage to the coil and injectors? If not the computer may not be grounding the asd relay for some reason, a common reason is the computer may not see the proper cam or crank signal. On some systems I have heard of the crank sensor causing a cam sensor code.
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Thursday, September 24th, 2020 AT 5:38 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LILLIEJEEPSTER
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In the mornings or when the jeep is cold and I try to start it up it turns over but want start unless I tap the gas peddle once. It the jeep is warm and has been running it starts right up with no problem. Someone told me it could be the electronic choke?

I turn the ignition key and the engine turns over but it want start unless I apply my foot to the gas pedal once. Then I turn the ignition key again and it will turn over and start. Only when the engine is cold tho
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Thursday, September 24th, 2020 AT 5:39 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
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There is no such thing as an electronic choke on a fuel injected car. When you say you "tap" the throttle, do you mean you just partially open it?
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Thursday, September 24th, 2020 AT 5:39 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JORY RUPPERT
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In an accident, airbags were replaced and everything rebuilt. My horn is not working and my vehicle turns over but will not start. Could it be the clock spring that is preventing start up?
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Thursday, September 24th, 2020 AT 5:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
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Hello,

The horn and non starting issue are separate. Please follow the this guide so we can get the engine going first then start a new question of the horn please.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
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Thursday, September 24th, 2020 AT 5:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MAILIBU1955
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Car has always run fine. Recent morning cranks but will not start. Sprayed ether in the intake no help. I be leave it is electrical. I need your suggestions. Thanks, Bob
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Thursday, September 24th, 2020 AT 5:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.com.

If it will not start with ether, then it is ignition related. The first thing I suggest is to check if there is a signal from the crankshaft position sensor. This component us used by the PCM to determine injection and ignition timing. If it fails, it will not get spark to the plugs.

If you have a scanner that shows live data, check to see if there is a signal from the sensor. If there is no signal, check wiring (plug) and then remove the sensor and check it for damage, corrosion.

If you find there is no signal, I have attached two pictures of its location to help you locate it. Its functions based on the position of the flywheel.

Here is a link which describes symptoms and the second one is general directions for replacement:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-a-bad-crankshaft-sensor

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/crankshaft-angle-sensor-replacement

Let me know if this helps or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe
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Thursday, September 24th, 2020 AT 5:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JMILLSAPS34
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I start my Jeep in the morning, recently the oil pressure and temp of engine guage has been low. I can let warm up 10 minutes and no change. The other morning it started fine, but the gauge light came on "Check Gauges", oil pressure light would not rise. It began to make a loud knocking noise I pulled over to let it sit and warm up more. In the past it worked fine and the oil pressure was okay. I turned the ignition off, then tried to start it again and it would not turnover. Not the clicking sound. Nothing. A local mechanic told me it was the starter, changed it and it acts like it has a low battery. It begins to turnover, but wears out? I put anew battery in it and it still would not turn over? Checked the oil and it was low. Is the engine locked?
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Thursday, September 24th, 2020 AT 5:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MECHCURT
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WOW, sounds to me like the oil pump was getting weak and then went out on that last trip. The low oil pressure and then the loud knocking is where I get this. Also if it got hot enough to clank and bang then I would not think it would start till it cooled down but now you probably have a few spun bearings and it will be really tight so a it would really pull down on the new battery. I really think its locked. You can drop the pan and then take the Rod caps off and look at the rod bearings they should be clean and shiny also they should still be indexed with the little notch, if you do this and they are fine then next drop the main bearings and do the same inspection. Hope this helps but it does sound locked up. Curt
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Thursday, September 24th, 2020 AT 5:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
STACEYSULL
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My Jeep for the last couple of days has not been starting. The engine is turning over like it wants to start but its not catching. The first day after a few times of trying to start it. The engine caught and away I went, but today it never started. I was just wondering if this could be a fuel pump problem and if so what is the average cost of that job. Or do you haev suggestions of things I can check myself?
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Thursday, September 24th, 2020 AT 5:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLACKOP555
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First thigns first. Listen at fuel tank and have someone turn key on. Do you hear pump turn on run a bit and turn off?

If so its time to check for fuel pressure and volume with key on engine cranking and just key on.

Next after you have those results recorded check for spark. ON EVERY CYLINDER.

Should be bright blue, intense, and firing rhythmically.

Then after that is done use a noid light or a logic probe and check for injector pulse.

When all that is done post back results here.
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Thursday, September 24th, 2020 AT 5:44 PM (Merged)

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