No crank, no starter action, fuel pump does engage. I hear it?

Hi Dave,

When you say no crank, do you mean the starter motor won't engage or it does, but the engine doesn't start?

If you haven't already, confirm the fuse (fuse 26) is getting power. Also, I attached the starting circuit schematic below, so you have a reference. Check the fuses 12 and 23 in the under-hood fuse box along with the starter relay. Also, check fuse 29 in the central junction box. Again, confirm they have power to and from them.

Here is a link you may find helpful:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

Let me know what you find.

Joe

See pics below.

No crank, no starter action, fuel pump does engage. I hear it.

Okay, if the starter won't engage, check the things I mentioned above. See if the fuses and relay are good and not bad.

I'm not sure how removing the fuse caused a problem, but anything is possible.

Let me know.

Joe

Joe,

Power at 26. Fuel rail putting out gas and hum. Power at 12 and 23. Both +, and - test. Power at 29. Relay (starter #56) tests out ok. Did continuity and powered it, and had continuity, heard it click.
What’s next on the list?

See above

Hi,

Are you getting a ground path via pin 86?

Joe

Joe, put clamp on + and probe tip on 86 slot and there was light. My starter is spinning no but doesn’t crank engine. I just finished putting fuel injectors in (was getting codes for misfire on 2&6. Coil pack replaced but code still there, so replace injectors. Haven’t got car started yet so don’t know that status yet), and when I turned key to start position starter whirled. Pinion gear stuck? As earlier fuel pump buzzed also.

Here is avideo of noise.

No codes on reader. Pic of dash lights.

Hi,

I listened to the video. Does the serpentine belt turn when the starter engages? I ask because either the starter is bad or there is no compression.

Let me know.

Joe

Joe,

Serpentine belt does not move.

Dave

Joe, pulled starter had it benched tested. Passed!
I tried turning crank manually to inspect teeth on fly wheel. It was hard at first then eased up a little and it rotated. No it is hard to move. Can you do it with serpentine belt off? I'm afraid something internally might have caused a lock up. The car did shut down immediately when I pulled fuel pump fuse, maybe (??) something went at that time too?? A big coincidence though.

Now the crank turns hard. (Going clockwise).
Can you do it with serpentine belt off?

Hi,

Yes, the crankshaft pulley can be turned with the belt off. It won't hurt anything.

Remove the spark plugs and see if you can turn the engine easily. Also, check to see if they are wet or if fuel comes from any of the cylinders when you turn the engine. It should be hard to turn with the plugs in, but maybe fuel filled one of the cylinders causing it to lock. You mentioned you planned to replace the injectors. I'm not sure if they were leaking or not.

Nothing is making sense. We are missing something simple. I know it. LOL

I listened to the video of it cranking again. When a starter doesn't engage with the flex plate, they spin a lot faster. In your video, it sounds like it is turning an engine with no compression. I'm going to ask the site owner his opinion. Let's see what he says.

Take care and let me know about removing the plugs.

Joe

Joe, plugs/serpentine belt are on the list. I saw a video of a guy with 4.0 Explorer with the same problem. He poured clean motor oil in cylinders and let it sit for 24 hours. Low and behold the crank freed up. Maybe a last resort option. In that scenario would a penetrating oil do as well? Just asking. Not doing.
Hope the site owner had his Wheaties and pops out the piece we're missing.

Have a good weekend.

Dave

Thanks again.

It sounds like the flex plate has broken.

What about Bendix gear being worn down? The motor was tested out as a pass, but I didn’t really check the gear in detail. The. Teeth on flex plate we’re looking solid. The Bendix might pop up and retreat and not engage. Bounce off flex plate (lubrication/ cleaning). Bottom line I don’t feel like moving exhaust and sliding the transmission back to get to flex plate on a car I had since 12/17 and only dropped around 300-3500 for. It owes me nothing. Started at 89000 and lasted till 121000. I'll pop off starter again and take a look. That area is the problem, I think. Dave

Well end of this episode. The engine is frozen. I cranked and cranked on crankshaft bolt, and it will not rotate the harmonic balancer pulley. Who’s knows what went inside. More work than I want for this car. Off to the auto salvage yard this week. The bad part is new tie rods, stabilizer links, upper ball joints, plugs, and wires plus the coil, fuel injectors and intake gaskets, all done last week. And now it’s done! Murphy’s law to the MAX.
Thanks for your insight through this futile endeavor. Cheers, Dave

Hi,

Wow, that is horrible. I can only imagine how much you have in the parts.

Just for curiosity, did you check what Ken mentioned? If it is broken, it could be jamming and preventing you from turning the engine. I just don't understand how removing the fuse would have led to this.

Let me know.

Joe

Joe, Murphy's Law. I find it amazing that at that particular moment I pulled the fuse that the flex plate would go. I'm not going to stick any more time in on the car.
The parking brake locked on me now and it won't move to be hauled off. Go after those tomorrow, and one last Crack at turning the crank.
Since it's broken, I may do a quick drop in reverse when I get it to do a slow roll, see if that jars anything. At this point it won't hurt.
Appreciate your assistance
Dave
I'll let you know if the sun comes up in the West, and this last-ditch effort works.
High hoe it's off to the junk yard it goes.