Engine will crank but not start?

Tiny
HUGHHIPP
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 190,000 MILES
We've check fuses, battery, compression, replaced spark plugs, fuel filter, and fuel pump. The car will still not start. Any suggestions?
Sunday, August 31st, 2008 AT 1:57 PM

97 Replies

Tiny
T313C0MUN1S7
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I also have a 1995 Pontiac Grand Am, Quad 4 engine. I have not yet figured mine out, but have replaced fuel filter, checked plugs, replaced injector wiring (which was in poor shape) ect. I found a procedure in the Haynes manual I am about to try. It may help you as well. Since it jumps around to different sections of the manual and because of copyright issues I won't post the entire procedure, but I will tell you where to find it.

Haynes Repair Manual 38025, Chapter 5, Page 5-9, Section "Engine cranks over but won't start"

I found this though: 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.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Monday, September 1st, 2008 AT 2:07 PM
Tiny
DERICKSEN
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
  • 1995 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 119,050 MILES
Everytime I try to start up my car for the past week it sometimes will start other times won't when it doesn't I can feel when I pump the gas it doesn't flow in every once and awhile when I start it up and it does flow and I try moving it it'll stall out on me it feels like the car's not getting gas into it the fuel filter was replaced yesterday and the fuel injector was replaced 3 weeks ago but this problem just started about 8-10 days ago and this is really bugging me after awhile it will usually start up if I let it sit, iv waited between 30-60 minutes and it will start up but still have the fuel barely going through, Every time I've gotten it to start up I move the car back and fourth and then let it sit come back and it starts up fine but this morning I tried starting it up, it did fine but I could feel the fuel not going in and it stalled out on me, I tried for about an hour to get it to go. Nothing when I came home about 4:00 today im thinking it might start up I try and nothing I moved it and still nothing. Also, If I leave it in park for about 5 minutes the engine light comes on or when I'm going down the road and not pressing on the gas, but when I put it into drive it'll turn off and while i'm driving I have to turn it off and restart it to get the light to turn off. Any Ideas? Thanks.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TWOSTEPPER
  • MEMBER
  • 42 POSTS
When the problem occurs, have a helper crank it, while you visually check for spark at the plugs. If that is ok, use a gage and check fuel pressure. If your fully obd1 compliant, I'd have to look, you should be able to access mil codes, yourself.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DERICKSEN
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
I had my brother check it and it sparked back and fourth through all of the spark plugs how would I know if they're out if they're rusted? Because one of them is. I talked to the person who sold me the car and he said it could be the battery because it's pretty old and he's going to replace it, and could it possibly be the fuel pump?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DERICKSEN
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Hmm well I checked my car and he replaced the battery this morning while I was sleeping, still no luck starting it up I'm thinking it might be the fuel pump but I'm not quite sure any other suggestions?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MATHIASO
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,209 POSTS
Hello Dericksen

Scan the pcm for code(s), because there is engine light, there is probably code and come back.
If the problem is fuel related, a lean code should be there.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DERICKSEN
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Is there a way to figure out the code with out having to pay for towing and then another 75$ to figure out the code?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MATHIASO
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,209 POSTS
Hello Dericksen
some pre1995 are OBDI and some late 95 are OBDII compliant.it should be a sticker under the hood.
let make it simple,
run a jumper wire or paper clip between A and B


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/46384_obd1pinout2_1.gif



Next turn your key on but don't start. Watch your check engine flash the code/s.
EXAMPLE: CODE 12: one long flash and two short flashes
CODE 13: one long flash and 3 short flashes.
If you make mistake reading the codes,my diagnosis will also be wrong.
Tell me what you got?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DERICKSEN
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Hmm I looked all over under my hood and under the dash I'm not seeing it anywhere I'm going to double check but im not seeing it anywhere would the be a specific place? And I'm not exactally sure if it's a newer or older one.

EDIT: I double checked everywhere still couldn't find it any idea where else it could be?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GRANNYLANE07
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1995 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 99,685 MILES
We recently bought the car. The car had sat for 6-8 months. We put gas in the car twice on the second time it would not start. It tried it would chug chug like it not getting enough gas. It was running fine when we pulled up to the pumps. It sat over night and most of the next day. It started still kind of chugging when it first started. When it got shut off at the house it wouldn't start again.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter and fuel pump
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MATHIASO
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,209 POSTS
Hello,

Front seating area, driver side, under dash, mounted above brake pedal
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GRANNYLANE07
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
How do u check the fuel pressure?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DERICKSEN
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Well that's where I searched and here's what I found there's just some wires in those two pull down parts and the diagnostics connection


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/510510_Diagnostic_connection_and_panels_1.jpg

Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
If you don't have a fuel test port on the fuel rail-use a fuel pressure gauge and Tee-in from the fuel filter
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MATHIASO
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,209 POSTS


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/46384_510510_Diagnostic_connection_and_panels_1_1.jpg



connect paper clip or jumper wire , follow the instruction above and come back with result.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GRANNYLANE07
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
My husband looked under the car the inline fuel filter is loose when he touches it it leads gas. Could this be the problem. Or the fuel lines
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DERICKSEN
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Tried it and nothing happen I took the picture up side down but I also tried it in every other hole and nothing just the seat belt light flashed about 45 times because I wasn't wearing it.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Its losing fuel pressure without the correct pressure the EFI w/n function right.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MATHIASO
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,209 POSTS
Hello Dericksen

Don't worry if the connector is not working, I'll help you find out the problem anyway.
. Have someone start the car while you listen to the fuel pump.
Open the fuel filer neck and listen. You should hear a buzzing sound.
Let me know what you heard.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:04 PM (Merged)

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links